DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION

TXDOT DESIGNATION: TEX-236-F

METHOD

Test Procedure for

DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT

PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION METHOD
TxDOT Designation: Tex-236-F
Effective Date: July 2019

1. SCOPE
1.1 Use Part I of this test method to determine the asphalt content of hot mix asphalt (HMA) paving mixtures,
reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) stockpiles, and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) stockpiles using an
ignition oven. Use the remaining aggregate for sieve analysis in accordance with Tex-200-F.

1.2 Use Part II of this test method to determine aggregate gradation and asphalt content correction factors
before the start of production. The type of aggregate in the mixture may affect the ignition procedure.
Establish correction factors by testing a set of samples for each mix type produced to optimize accuracy.

1.3 The values given in parentheses (if provided) are not standard and may not be exact mathematical
conversions. Use each system of units separately. Combining values from the two systems may result in
nonconformance with the standard.

2. APPARATUS
2.1 Ignition oven, capable of:

2.1.1 Maintaining a temperature to cause combustion with an internal balance thermally isolated from the chamber
accurate to 0.1 g. The balance must be capable of weighing a 4,000 g sample in addition to the sample
baskets.

2.1.2 Providing an audible alarm and indicator light when the sample reaches constant weight.
Note 1—The oven door must automatically lock when the test procedure begins and must remain locked
until the test procedure is completed.

2.1.3 Providing initial sample weight, sample weight loss, correction factor, corrected asphalt content (percent),
and test time.

2.2 Tempered stainless steel No. 8 (2.36 mm) mesh basket, otherwise perforated basket, or combination of
baskets. The basket must incorporate a design that confines the sample during testing.

2.3 Tempered stainless steel catch pan, to fit under the basket assembly.

2.4 Oven, capable of maintaining a minimum temperature of 325 ± 5°F (163 ± 3°C).

2.5 Balance, Class G2, in accordance with Tex-901-K, with a minimum capacity of 17.6 lb. (8 kg) for weighing
sample in baskets.

MATERIALS AND TESTS DIVISION 1–7 EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 2019

DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION
TXDOT DESIGNATION: TEX-236-F
METHOD

3. SAFETY EQUIPMENT
3.1 Safety glasses or face shield.

3.2 High temperature gloves.

3.3 Long sleeve jacket.

3.4 Heat-resistant surface, capable of withstanding heat from the sample baskets.

3.5 Protective cage, capable of surrounding the sample baskets.

4. MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT
4.1 Pan for transferring samples after ignition.

4.2 Spatulas.

4.3 Bowls.

4.4 Wire brushes.

5. REPORT FORMAT
5.1 The Correction Factor Calculation Report is an Excel template containing the following worksheets:
 Asphalt Content and Combined Aggregate Gradation (Tx236) and
 Summary Sheet (Summary).

5.2 For hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures, use the QC/QA Excel template for the Ignition Oven Method in
conjunction with the HMA specification. Refer to the Instructions tab for guidelines on how to use the
template.

5.3 Use the Mix Design Excel template to prepare blank samples when establishing correction factors.

6. SAMPLE PREPARATION

6.1 Asphalt Paving Mixtures:

6.1.1 Produce a sample in accordance with Tex-205-F or quarter a sample in accordance with Tex-222-F.

6.1.1.1 When the mixture is not sufficiently workable to separate the mix with a spatula or trowel, place it in a large
flat pan and warm to 250 ± 5°F (121 ± 3°C) for 30 min.
Note 2—Do not heat sample for more than one hr.

6.1.1.2 For microsurfacing production mix, place the mixture in a large flat pan and dry to constant weight at 230 ±
10°F.

6.1.1.3 The mixture type controls the required sample size, as shown in Table 1.

MATERIALS AND TESTS DIVISION 2–7 EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 2019

DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION
TXDOT DESIGNATION: TEX-236-F
METHOD

Table 1
Required Weight of Sample
Mixture Type Required Weight of
Sample, g

Type A, SP-A 3,000–4,000

Type B, SP-B 2,000–3,000
Type C, PFC (PG 76), SP-C, CMHB-C, SMA-C, 1,000–2,000
SMA-D, SMAR-C, UTBWC-C, TBPFC (PG 76)
Type D, PFC (A-R), SP-D, CMHB-F, SMA-F, 1,200–1,500
UTBWC-B, TBPFC (A-R)
Type F, SMAR-F, Microsurfacing, CAM, UTBWC-A, 1,000–1,200
TOM-C, TOM-F

6.1.2 Sample sizes should not be more than 400 g greater than the maximum required sample mass as shown in
Table 1. Large samples of fine mixes tend to result in incomplete ignition of the asphalt.
Note 3—When the mass of the sample exceeds the capacity of the equipment used, divide the sample into
suitable increments. Appropriately combine the results for calculating the asphalt content (weighted
average).

6.1.3 Verify that the mixture contains no more than 0.2% of moisture by weight in accordance with Tex-212-F, Part
II. Do not use the same sample used for moisture determination as used for asphalt content determination.

6.2 Recycled Materials Samples:

6.2.1 Take a representative sample from the recycled material stockpile in accordance with Tex-222-F.

6.2.2 Oven-dry the sample to constant weight at 140 ± 5°F (60 ± 3°C).

6.2.3 Quarter a test sample to the required size shown in Table 2.

6.2.4 Verify that the mixture contains no more than 0.2% of moisture by weight in accordance with Tex-212-F, Part
II. Do not use the same sample used for moisture determination as used for asphalt content determination.
Table 2
Required Weight of Recycled Material Sample
Recycled Material Type Required Weight of Sample, g

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP)1 1,000–4,000

Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS)2 500–700
1. Refer to Table 1 for required sample weights.
2. Sample size exceeding the required weight above may not completely ignite the asphalt.

PART I—DETERMINE ASPHALT CONTENT BY IGNITION METHOD

7. SCOPE
7.1 Use this procedure to determine the asphalt content of hot mix asphalt (HMA) paving mixtures using an
ignition oven. Use the remaining aggregate for sieve analysis in accordance with Tex-200-F.

MATERIALS AND TESTS DIVISION 3–7 EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 2019

DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION
TXDOT DESIGNATION: TEX-236-F
METHOD

8. PROCEDURE
8.1 Pre-heat the ignition oven according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

8.2 Determine and record the weight of the basket assembly to the nearest 0.1 g.

8.3 Place the loose mixture directly into the sample baskets.
Note 4—Reheat the sample in a 250°F (121°C) oven for 30 min. if it gets cold. Do not reheat microsurfacing,
limestone rock asphalt (LRA), or hot-mix cold-laid samples. Do not preheat the sample baskets.

8.4 Evenly distribute the sample in the basket assembly, keeping the material away from the edges of the
basket.

8.5 Weigh and record the sample and basket assembly to the nearest 0.1 g.

8.6 Calculate and record the initial weight of the sample (total weight minus the weight of the sample basket
assembly) and designate as WS in Section 11.1.

8.7 Input WS into the ignition oven controller. Verify entry of the correct weight.

8.8 Open the chamber door and place the sample and basket assembly in the ignition oven.
Note 5—Failure of the oven scale to stabilize may indicate that the sample basket assembly is contacting the
oven wall. If this occurs, adjust the sample basket inside the oven.

8.9 Close the chamber door and start the test.

Note 6—This should lock the oven chamber for the duration of the test.

8.10 Allow the test to continue until the stable light and audible stable indicator indicate the test is complete.

8.11 Press the start/stop button.

Note 7—This should unlock the oven chamber.

8.12 Open the chamber door, remove the sample, and allow it to cool to room temperature (approximately 45
min.)
Note 8—Do not use a fan to assist in cooling the sample to room temperature due to the possibility of losing
fines.

8.13 Weigh the sample and basket assembly after ignition to the nearest 0.1 g.

8.14 Calculate and record the final weight of the sample (total weight from Section 8.13 minus the weight of the
sample basket assembly) and designate this weight as WA in Section 11.1.

8.15 Calculate the asphalt content of the sample according to Section 11.1.
Note 9—Asphalt content reported by the ignition oven may be used if proven accurate.

8.16 Empty the contents of the basket into a flat pan. Use a small wire sieve brush to ensure removal of any
residual fines from the basket. Add those fines to the contents in the flat pan.

8.17 Use the remaining aggregate for the sieve analysis in accordance with Tex-200-F.

MATERIALS AND TESTS DIVISION 4–7 EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 2019

DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION
TXDOT DESIGNATION: TEX-236-F
METHOD

PART II—DETERMINE CORRECTION FACTORS

9. SCOPE

9.1 Use this test method to determine aggregate gradation and asphalt content correction factors before the start
of production. The type of aggregate in the mixture may affect the ignition procedure. Establish correction
factors by testing a set of samples for each mix type produced to optimize accuracy.

10. PROCEDURE

10.1 A Level 2-certified technician must prepare one blank sample in the laboratory in accordance with Tex-205-F,
using the Blank Weigh Up worksheet in the Mix Design Excel template. Determine the sample size for the
blank sample in accordance with Tex-200-F, Table 1.
Note 10—Do not add any asphalt binder, fibers, or any recycled materials to the blank sample. Do not
perform the ignition oven procedure with the blank sample.

10.2 Perform a washed sieve analysis on the blank sample in accordance with Tex-200-F, Part II.
Note 11—Enter the individual or cumulative weight of aggregate retained on each sieve on the Asphalt
Content and Combine Aggregate Gradation worksheet.

10.3 When applicable, enter the gradation of any recycled material used in the mixture design, such as RAP or
RAS, in the Asphalt Content and Combined Aggregate Gradation worksheet, under the Recycled Materials
Section. Use the gradation of the recycled material determined for the mixture design in accordance with
Tex-204-F.
Note 12—The Asphalt Content and Combined Aggregate Gradation worksheet calculates the combined
gradation of the blank sample and recycled materials, when applicable.
Note 13—The combined gradation, including the use of any recycled materials, must fall within the master
gradation band of the specification used for the project.

10.4 Prepare a “butter batch mix” at the design optimum asphalt content and discard before mixing any other
samples for determining correction factors.
Note 14—A “butter batch mix” is a trial batch of asphalt and aggregate design mixture used to coat the
mixing bowl and whips with asphalt. This helps prevent a loss of asphalt due to adhesion on the bare walls of
the bowl or in the mixing whips to ensure an accurate asphalt content of the samples used to determine
correction factors.

10.5 Use the Weigh Up worksheet in the Mix Design Report to prepare two samples in the laboratory in
accordance with Tex-205-F. Determine the sample size in accordance with Section 6.1.1.3.
 two at the design optimum asphalt content
Note 15— Add the recycled material when preparing the samples if applicable.

10.6 Perform the ignition oven procedure as described under Section 8 with the samples prepared in Section
10.5.

10.7 Perform a dry gradation sieve analysis in accordance with Tex-200-F, Part I, on the residual aggregate for
each ignited sample from Section 10.6.
Note 16—Enter the individual or cumulative weight of aggregate retained on each sieve on the Asphalt
Content and Combine Aggregate Gradation worksheet.

MATERIALS AND TESTS DIVISION 5–7 EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 2019

DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION
TXDOT DESIGNATION: TEX-236-F
METHOD

10.8 Determining Asphalt Content Correction Factor:

10.8.1 Determine the asphalt content for each ignited sample in Section 10.6 in accordance with Section 11.1.

10.8.2 Use the Asphalt Content and Combined Aggregate Gradation worksheet to subtract the measured asphalt
content for each ignited sample determined in Section 10.8.1 from the actual asphalt content. Average the
two measured differences to determine the asphalt content correction factor.
Note 17—When fibers are added to the mixture, the asphalt content correction factor takes into account the
percent fibers in the mixture so that the fibers are excluded from the binder content determination.

10.8.3 If Section 10.8 yielded an asphalt correction factor that was greater than 0.3%, use the Back Calculated Rice
Method in Section 10.9 to verify the asphalt content.
Note 18—The type of aggregate in the mixture may affect the ignition procedure. Establish standard Rice
values by testing a set of known asphalt contents from a laboratory produced sample. Compare production
samples to these standards for verification.

10.9 Verifying Asphalt Content using the Back Calculated Rice Method:

10.9.1 Using the current design, produce a laboratory mixture at the design optimum asphalt content in accordance
with Tex-205-F. Prepare enough material to test three Gr samples in accordance with Tex-227-F.

10.9.2 During production, compare the production Gr to the average Gr obtained in part 10.9.1.

10.9.3 Use the Tex236 template to enter these values and verify asphalt contents.

10.10 Determining Aggregate Gradation Correction Factors:

10.10.1 Use the Asphalt Content and Combined Aggregate Gradation worksheet to subtract the gradation
determined in Section 10.7 (ignited samples) for each sieve size from each corresponding sieve size of the
combined gradation determined in Section 10.3 (blank samples and recycled material).

10.10.2 Average the two measured differences for each sieve size to determine the aggregate gradation correction
factor for each sieve size. Report the correction factors in percent passing.

10.11 Use the Summary worksheet to report the asphalt content and aggregate gradation correction factors.
Note 19—If the aggregate correction factor for a sieve is historically less than 0.5%, a zero correction factor
can be used.

11. CALCULATIONS
11.1 Calculate the asphalt binder content of the sample.

11.1.1 For hot-mix asphalt (HMA), LRA, hot-mix cold-laid, and recycled materials:

W  W A 
AC %   S  *100
 WS 

11.1.2 For microsurfacing mixtures:

MATERIALS AND TESTS DIVISION 6–7 EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 2019

DETERMINING ASPHALT CONTENT FROM ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES BY THE IGNITION
TXDOT DESIGNATION: TEX-236-F
METHOD

W  WA 
AC %   S  * 100
 WA 

Where:
AC% = measured asphalt content
WA = total weight of aggregate remaining after ignition, g
WS = total weight of the HMA sample before ignition, g

11.2 Report ignition oven test results to the nearest 0.1%.

12. ARCHIVED VERSIONS

12.1 Archived versions are available.

MATERIALS AND TESTS DIVISION 7–7 EFFECTIVE DATE: JULY 2019