What is BS EN 12607-1 - RTFOT method for bituminous binders about?
BS EN 12607 is a European Standard on bitumen and bituminous binders. The main objective of the BS EN 12607 series is to provide best industry practices to determine the quality and performance of construction materials in order to meet your specific civil engineering needs.
BS EN 12607-1 is the first part of the BS EN 12607 series that specifies a method for measuring the combined effects of heat and air on a thin moving film of bitumen or bituminous binder simulating the hardening that most bituminous binders undergo during mixing in an asphalt mixing plant. The method is referred to as RTFOT, i.e., Rolling Thin Film Oven Test.
In some cases, the sample may creep out of the glass container and flow on the heating elements of the oven during testing. The method is suitable for other bituminous binders than paving grade bitumen, but the reference temperature might give excessive hardening that does not resemble real conditions during mixing at the plant.
Note 1: The method described is not applicable to some modified binders or to those where the viscosity is too high to provide a moving film.
Note 2: The method may not represent the hardening that occurs during the mixing of warm mix binders.
Who is BS EN 12607-1 - RTFOT method for bituminous binders for?
BS EN 12607-1 on bitumen and bituminous binders is useful for:
- Manufacturers of bitumen and bituminous binders
- Manufacturers and suppliers of construction materials
- Construction industry
- Concrete specialists
- Civil engineers
- Contractors
Why should you use BS EN 12607-1 - RTFOT method for bituminous binders?
RTFOT is one of the most widely used standardised tests for simulating binders' short-term ageing behaviour. This test measures the combined effects of heat and air on a thin film of bitumen or bituminous binder in permanent renewal.
In this regard, BS EN 12607-1 provides the requirements for reagents, materials and apparatus used for the determination of the resistance to be hardening under influence of heat and air.
BS EN 12607-1 covers guidance on the RTFOT method and walks you through the test sampling and test procedure.
Overall, BS EN 12607-1 aims to simulate the hardening that a bituminous binder undergoes during the mixing, transporting, and compacting processes.
As a result, if you are a manufacturer of bitumen and bituminous binders BS EN 12607-1-compliant RFOT methods can be beneficial in ensuring the construction materials used play a positive role in making the pavement/road denser and more durable.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 12607-1:2014 supersedes EN 12607-1:2007. BS EN 12607-1:2014 includes some technical changes with respect to EN 12607-1:2007. These include:
- Changed/added wording of the Warning in the Scope
- The reference to the mercury thermometer has been deleted (see subclause 4.3) and Annex A is informative
- The second note in subclause 6.2 has been added to clarify the duration of the conditioning
- The second to last paragraph in subclause 6.2 highlights that it is allowed for polymer-modified bitumen to raise the temperature shortly to 180 °C to pour the sample out of the containers