Patent ID: 6571648
Filing Date: 2003-06-03
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method for producing an asphalt sample simulating an oxidative aging of the asphalt comprising the steps of:(a) accumulating a sample of the asphalt from the asphalt mass to be tested; (b) providing a calibrated microwave unit; (c) placing the asphalt sample within the microwave unit; (d) pressurizing the sample at a selected pressure of about 440 psi; (e) monitoring the temperature of said sample; (f) initially operating the unit for providing microwave radiation about the sample for heating the sample to a first selected temperature of approximately 27Â° C.; (g) operating the unit for providing microwave radiation about the sample at a power incrementally increasing the sample temperature from said first temperature to a desired second temperature of approximately 147Â° C. over approximately a first 60-minute period; (h) upon said sample reaching said second temperature operating said microwave at said second temperature for maintaining said sample at said second sample temperature for approximately a period of time of 210 minutes; (i) releasing the pressure from said asphalt sample for returning said pressure on said sample to an ambient air pressure; (j) placing said sample in a convection oven and heating said sample at approximately a 150Â° C. temperature for approximately five minutes; (k) degassing said sample whereby to present an asphalt sample simulating an accelerated oxidative aging for subsequent analysis of selected parameters of said asphalt.