Asphalt Properties
Asphalt Properties
Asphalt Properties
Asphalt is a dark brown to black, highly viscous, hydrocarbon produced from petroleum
distillation residue. This distillation can occur naturally, resulting in asphalt lakes, or
occur in a petroleum refinery using crude oil. In 2001, the U.S. produced almost 35
million tons of asphalt at a rough value of around $6 billion. Roads and highways
constitute the largest single use of asphalt at 85 percent of the total (Asphalt Institute,
2002[1]). In HMA, asphalt functions as a waterproof, thermoplastic, viscoelastic adhesive.
By weight, asphalt generally accounts for between 4 and 8 percent of HMA and makes
up about 25 – 30 percent of the cost of an HMA pavement structure depending upon the
type and quantity. The paving industry also uses asphalt emulsions, asphalt cutbacks
and foamed asphalt.
Grading Systems
Asphalt binders are typically categorized by one or more shorthand grading systems
according to their physical characteristics. These systems range from simple to complex
and represent an evolution in the ability to characterize asphalt binder. Today, most
state agencies use or are planning to switch to the Superpave performance grading
(PG) system.
Figure 3: Penetration Needle
Penetration Grading
Based on the depth a standard needle will penetrate an asphalt binder sample when
placed under a 100 g load for 5 seconds (see Figure 3). The test is simple and easy to
perform but it does not measure any fundamental parameter and can only characterize
asphalt binder at one temperature (77°F). Penetration grades are listed as a range of
penetration units (one penetration unit = 0.1 mm of penetration by the standard needle).
Typical asphalt binders used in the U.S. are 65-70 pen and 85-100 pen.
Viscosity Grading
Measures penetration (as in penetration grading) but also measures an asphalt binder’s
viscosity at 140°F and 275°F. Testing can be done on virgin (AC) or aged (AR) asphalt
binder. Grades are listed in poises (cm-g-s = dyne-second/cm2) or poises divided by 10.
Typical asphalt binders used in the U.S. are AC-10, AC-20, AC-30, AR-4000 and AR-
8000. Viscosity grading is a better grading system but it does not test low temperature
asphalt binder rheology.
Superpave performance grading is reported using two numbers – the first being the
average seven-day maximum pavement temperature (in °C) and the second being the
minimum pavement design temperature likely to be experienced (in °C). Thus, a PG 64-
16 is intended for use where the average seven-day maximum pavement temperature is
64°C and the expected minimum pavement temperature is -16°C. Notice that these
numbers are pavement temperatures and not air temperatures. The typical PG grade
used in Hawai’i is a PG 64-16. Realistically, pavement temperatures in Hawai’i will
never dip down to -16°C, but the typical asphalt binder used will meet this standard so it
is graded as such.