RTFO
The RTFO Rolling Thin Film Ovenpreciselymeasures the effects of heat and air on asphalt binder properties. It’s a must have for asphalt binder testing. The Gilson RTFO by ATS has an advanced design, solid construction and is accurate. Precision components with basic controls for accurate, repeatable results and easy to use. Made in the USA and CE marked. Meets all test method specs and exceeds recovery time, which other manufacturers can’t.
Setup and operation is quick and easy with minimal training required. A built-in timer controls test time. Precision temperature control is programmable for 163°C (325°F) test temperature with a maximum temperature rating of 200°C (392°F).
Temperature is controlled to ±0.1°C with a NIST Traceable Platinum Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD) temperature sensor and overall temperature uniformity of ±1°C and mercury-free operation. Time from ambient to 163°C (325°F) setpoint is 20 minutes and full heat recovery is 5 to 8 minutes after loading of specimens. Thermal shutdown switch at 215°C (419°F).
Easy to program and easy to use means minimal operator training time and no input errors. CE markedRTFO has rugged double-wall stainless steel double wall construction and is made in the USA by ATS. Meets all ASTM/AASHTO test method specs and exceeds recovery time.
A controlled flow of heated air into horizontal glass bottles on a carousel rack simulates short term aging of the semi solid asphalt binder. The aged binder is then tested to predict what happens during production, handling and paving. This process is crucial for understanding manufacturing and placement aging.
Airflow 0-5,000mL/min indicated on the included flow meter with range 200-14,000mL/min. A source of clean, dry compressed air at 100psi (6.9bar) is required.
Soft, high-temperature silicone compression gaskets in the rotating carousel hold RTFO Bottles securely and make insertion and removal easy. This new design eliminates the costly scratching and breaking of expensive RTFO bottles from old style spring clamp systems.
Double-wall stainless steel case has a black powder-coat finish and leveling legs for benchtop use. Bottom of case is removable for access to heating elements for cleaning and maintenance. Includes 8 serial numbered RTFO Sample Bottles.
Overview
What is RTFO:
The RTFO Rolling Thin Film Oven is a laboratory test method to simulate short term aging of asphalt binders. This test is critical to evaluate how heat and air affect a moving film of semi-solid asphalt binder, what happens during production and paving. By simulating these real world conditions, the RTFO predicts the performance of asphalt binders in hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. Widely used in the asphalt industry, the RTFO test method gives valuable insight into the aging of asphalt binders so the materials used in road construction and other applications meet performance specs.
Features of RTFO:
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5-8 minute temperature recovery time after loading samples
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Meets ASTM and AASHTO specs
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Programmable temperature controller
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Minimal training required
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NIST Traceable Platinum RTD Sensor is mercury-free
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Platinum RTD Sensor controls temperature to ±0.1°C from 0-215°C (±0.18°F from 0-419°F)
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Stainless steel double wall construction with double exhaust vents maintains temperature to 200°C ±1°C (392°F ±1.8°F)
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High-temperature silicone compression gaskets hold RTFO bottles
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Bottom of case is removable for easy element change or spill clean up
Included with RTFO:
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RTFO
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(8) RTFO Sample Bottles
Accessories for RTFO:
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RTFO Sample Bottle is available as additional or replacement and individually serial numbered.
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RTFO Bottle Scraper is for removing testing residue from sample bottles after testing.
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RTFO Tongs have synthetic gripper pads for handling and removing hot RTFO bottles from the oven.
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RTFO Bottle Cooling Rack meets ASTM specs and holds up to 9 RTFO bottles.
Meets Test Methods: AASHTO T240 ASTM D 2872 CALIFORNIA 346
History of the RTFO Test
The RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. Developed in the 1920s, the test was initially designed to simulate the aging process of asphalt binders during production and paving operations. At that time, understanding how asphalt binders would perform over time was crucial, especially since they were primarily used for road construction.
The first RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test aimed to replicate the conditions that asphalt binders would encounter during the manufacturing and placement process. This involved heating a thin film of asphalt binder in a rotating oven to simulate the effects of heat and air on the material. Initially, the test was used to evaluate the performance of asphalt binders for road construction, but it quickly became a standard test method within the asphalt industry.
Over the years, the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test has undergone several modifications to enhance its accuracy and reliability. In the 1950s, the test was standardized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The standardized test method, known as AASHTO T 240 and ASTM D 2872, has been widely adopted by the asphalt industry and remains in use today. This standardization has ensured that the RTFO test continues to provide valuable insights into the aging process of asphalt binders, helping to maintain the quality and performance of asphalt pavements.
Test Description
What and How of RTFO Used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test:
The purpose of the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test is to measure the effect of heat and air on a moving film of asphalt binder. Unaged asphalt binder samples are placed in cylindrical jars and heated in a special oven at 163°C (325°F) for 85 minutes. The jars are rotated at 15 RPM so the asphalt binder is continuously exposed to heat and air flow. This simulates the short term aging that occurs during production and paving. This allows the evaluation of the asphalt binder’s oxidation, volatility and other changes. By simulating these conditions the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test gives a reliable method to evaluate the durability and performance of asphalt binders in the real world.
Thin Film Oven Design and Operation
The RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test is performed using a specialized oven designed to simulate the conditions that asphalt binders experience during production and paving operations. This oven is equipped with a rotating carriage that holds the asphalt binder samples in cylindrical glass bottles. The bottles are placed in the oven, which is heated to a precise temperature of 163°C (325°F). The carriage rotates at a speed of 15 revolutions per minute (RPM), ensuring that the asphalt binder is evenly exposed to the heat and air.
The RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test typically runs for a period of 85 minutes, during which the asphalt binder is subjected to a controlled environment that mimics the aging process. This setup is designed to evaluate the effects of heat and air on the asphalt binder, including the loss of volatiles, oxidation, and other changes that can impact its performance. By simulating these conditions, the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test provides a reliable method to assess the durability and performance of asphalt binders in real-world scenarios.
Parameters Measured
The RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test measures several key parameters that are essential for evaluating the performance of asphalt binders. These parameters include:
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Mass Change: This parameter measures the change in mass of the asphalt binder sample before and after the test. It is used to evaluate the loss of volatiles and other changes that can affect the binder’s performance.
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Viscosity: The test measures the viscosity of the asphalt binder sample before and after the test. This parameter is crucial for assessing the binder’s flow characteristics and its ability to resist deformation.
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Penetration: This parameter measures the penetration of the asphalt binder sample before and after the test. It is used to evaluate the binder’s hardness and its ability to resist deformation.
By measuring these parameters, the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test provides valuable insights into the aging process of asphalt binders and their performance in various conditions.
Applications
Uses of RTFO:
The RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test has many practical uses in the asphalt industry. It is used to evaluate the aging of asphalt binders and predict their performance in HMA pavements. The results of the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test determine the suitability of asphalt binders for road construction, airport pavements and bridge decks. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of asphalt binder modifiers and to determine the impact of different manufacturing and placement aging conditions on asphalt binder properties. By providing critical information on the performance and durability of asphalt binders the RTFO test supports the development and implementation of quality control measures to meet industry standards and specs.
Asphalt Binder Modifiers
Asphalt binder modifiers are additives used to enhance the performance of asphalt binders. These modifiers can include polymers, elastomers, and other materials designed to improve the binder’s properties. The RTFO test is instrumental in evaluating the effectiveness of these modifiers and their ability to enhance the binder’s resistance to aging and deformation.
Some common asphalt binder modifiers include:
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Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) Block Copolymer: This modifier improves the binder’s elasticity and resistance to deformation.
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Atactic Polypropylene (APP): This modifier enhances the binder’s viscosity and resistance to aging.
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Polyphosphoric Acid (PPA): This modifier improves the binder’s adhesion and resistance to stripping.
By using the RTFO test, the asphalt industry can assess the performance of these modifiers and ensure that the modified asphalt binders meet the required standards for durability and performance.
Industry Standards and Applications
The RTFO test is widely used in the asphalt industry to evaluate the performance of asphalt binders and their ability to resist aging and deformation. The test is employed by asphalt producers, contractors, and government agencies to ensure that asphalt binders meet the required standards for road construction and maintenance.
Some of the industry standards that require the use of the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test include:
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AASHTO T 240: This standard specifies the requirements for the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test and its use in evaluating the performance of asphalt binders.
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ASTM D 2872: This standard outlines the requirements for the RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test and its application in assessing asphalt binder performance.
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Superpave: This standard specifies the requirements for the RTFO test in evaluating the performance of asphalt binders for road construction.
The RTFO test has several applications in the asphalt industry, including:
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Quality Control: The test ensures that asphalt binders meet the required standards for road construction and maintenance.
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Research and Development: The test is used to evaluate the performance of new asphalt binder modifiers and their ability to improve the binder’s properties.
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Specification Development: The test helps develop specifications for asphalt binders and their use in road construction and maintenance.
By providing critical information on the performance and durability of asphalt binders, the RTFO test supports the development and implementation of quality control measures to meet industry standards and specifications.
