EXPERIMENT NO.

7: TO CONDUCT THE RTFO TEST ON ASPHALT

Objective:

To perform Rolling Thin Film Oven test of Bitumen binders as per IS 1212.

Theory:

The bituminous binders harden when exposed to atmosphere. The test specimen is
subjected to accelerated aging process by ‘Rolling Thin Film Oven Test’ (RTFO) under
specified test conditions. The amount of hardening of the bituminous material is evaluated
from the reduction in penetration test value , expressed as a percentage of the original
penetration value.

In order to evaluate the properties of the modified bitumen binder due to aging,
the other tests
Conducted on the residue after RTFO are (i) increase in softening point of the residue with
respect to original value and (ii) elastic recovery test (of half thread) at 25 oC .

Apparatus:

1. Oven – A double walled oven with chamber height not less than 290 mm and width
and depth not less than 300 mm with glass window for observation.

2. Glass Containers

3. Weighing balance of accuracy upto 0.001 gm.

4. Asbestos gloves

5. Digital stopwatch

Procedure:
The bituminous binder is stirred and agitated thoroughly and heated if necessary.
Three containers are heated in an oven at 100o to 110oC for 30 minutes, cooled and
weighed.
50 + 0.5gm of the binder sample is kept in a container and weighed after it is cooled, to the
nearest 0.001gm. A portion of the sample is poured into the specified container for
determination of penetration value.
The oven is heated to a temperature of 163 + 1oC and the sample container is
placed in the revolving shelf. The oven is switched on so that that rotates during the entire
test at a rate of 5 to 6 rev/min, the temperature being maintained at 163 + 1oC for 5 hours,
after the sample has been introduced. The 5-hour period shall start when the temperature
reaches 162oC and in no case shall the total time exceed 5 hours 15 minutes, during which
the is in the oven. At the end of the specified heating period the container is removed from
the oven. The specimen is cooled to room temperature and weighed to the nearest 0.001
gm and the loss in weight due to heating is calculated.

Fig 7.1: Rolling thin film oven

Observation:

Grade of bitumen : VG- 40

Container Wt of Wt of Initial Weight Final (%) Mean

No empty container weight after 5 weight weight value
container + sample (gm) hours (g) Loss
(A) (B) (C)=(B- container (E)=(D- (C−E)
x
A) + sample A) c
100
1 98.710 148.550 49.84 148.260 49.55 0.58
2 97.370 147.570 50.20 147.190 49.82 0.76 0.65%
3 93.560 143.610 50.05 143.300 49.74 0.62
Result:
The loss in weight of the sample after thin film oven test is reported as the percentage by
mass of the original sample.
value of average loss∈weight
i.e, X 100
original average weight of the sample

in this experiment, percentage weight loss = 0.65%

Precautions:

1. The test temperature of 163 degree centigrade shall be strictly adhered.

2. Hot air oven, analytical balance, penetrometer and low temperature bath
shall be periodically calibrated.