RTFO Rolling Thin Film Oven
About RTFO
RTFO
Rolling Thin Film Oven precisely measures the effects of heat and air on asphalt binder properties, with specific dimensions to fit various lab setups. It’s a must have for asphalt binder testing. The Gilson by ATS has advanced design, solid construction and is accurate. An air plenum ensures even heat distribution and airflow during testing. The oven has a door with a double-pane viewing window so you can watch the test without opening the oven. Precision components with basic controls for accurate, repeatable results and easy to use. Made in USA and CE marked. Meets all test method specs and exceeds recovery time which other manufacturers can’t. Different models of the oven have varying features to fit your needs.
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). The removable bottom tray allows easy access to the heating elements for cleaning and maintenance.Easy to program and easy to use means minimal operator training time and no input errors.
RTFO has rugged double-wall stainless steel double wall construction and is made in the USA by ATS. Meets all ASTM/AASHTO 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 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 Sample Bottles.
Overview
The Rolling Thin Film Oven is a laboratory method to simulate short term aging of asphalt binders through various standardized methods. This method is critical to evaluate how heat and air affect a moving film of semi-solid asphalt binder, what happens during production and paving. The oven is manufactured in the USA in cooperation with ATS, ensuring high production quality and reliability. By simulating these real world conditions, it predicts the performance of asphalt binders in hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements, including potential weight gain due to oxidative products. Widely used in the asphalt industry, the method gives valuable insight into the aging of asphalt binders so the materials used in road construction and other applications meet performance specs.
Features
-
5-8 minute temperature recovery time after loading samples
-
Meets ASTM and AASHTO specs
-
Programmable temperature controller
-
Minimal training required
-
NIST Traceable Platinum RTD Sensor is mercury-free
-
Platinum RTD Sensor controls temperature to ±0.1°C from 0-215°C (±0.18°F from 0-419°F)* Stainless steel double wall construction with double exhaust vents maintains temperature to 200°C ±1°C (392°F ±1.8°F)
-
High-temperature silicone compression gaskets hold RTFO bottles
-
Bottom of case is removable for easy element change or spill clean up
Accessories for RTFO:
-
RTFO Sample Bottle is available as additional or replacement and individually serial numbered.
-
RTFO Bottle Scraper is for removing testing residue from sample bottles after testing
-
RTFO Tongs have synthetic gripper pads for handling and removing hot RTFO bottles from the oven.
-
RTFO Bottle Cooling Rack meets ASTM specs and holds up to 9 RTFO bottles.
-
Glass containers are essential accessories for testing asphalt properties with the RTFO.
-
Calculations related to mass change bottles can be presented in a specific form to highlight the importance of structure in conveying the information clearly.
Meets Test Methods: AASHTO T240 ASTM D 2872 CALIFORNIA 346. Learn more about flash point tester equipment.
History
The RTFO used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test has a long history that dates back to the early 20th century. Developed in the 1920s, the test was originally 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 critical since they were mainly used for road construction.
The first used for Rolling Thin Film Oven Test was to replicate the conditions that asphalt binders would encounter during the manufacturing and placement process. This involved in a thin film of asphalt binder in a rotating oven to simulate the effects of heat and air on the material. Initially, the procedure was used to evaluate the performance of asphalt binders for road construction, but soon became a standard method in the asphalt industry.
Over the years, the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test has undergone several changes to improve its accuracy and reliability. In the 1950s the procedure was standardized by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The standardized method is AASHTO T 240 and ASTM D 2872 and has been widely used in the asphalt industry and is still in use today. Standardization has ensured that the procedure continues to provide valuable information on the aging of asphalt binders and helps to maintain the quality and performance of asphalt pavements.
What and How
The procedure involves placing an unaged asphalt binder sample in a cylindrical glass bottle, which is then placed in a rotating carriage within a thin film oven. The oven is up to 325°F (163°C) and the carriage is rotated at 15 RPM for 85 minutes. During this time the asphalt binder is exposed to high temperatures simulating the manufacturing and placement aging process. The procedure is designed to measure the approximate change in properties of the asphalt binder during conventional hot-mixing. The procedure is simple to perform, requires minimal training and the results are determined from measurements of properties before and after.
Device
The device is built with high quality materials including double-wall stainless steel which provides excellent thermal insulation and easy cleaning. The device has a programmable temperature controller, 4-digit digital display and solid-state heater. The device operates at 220-240V, 50/60 Hz and the oven temperature is controlled to ±0.1°C. The device has double exhaust vents which provides good airflow and prevent volatile compounds from building up. The device meets various standards including ASTM and AASHTO.
