ASTM D4124-01

Standard Test Methods for Separation of Asphalt into Four Fractions

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This test method separates asphalts into four well-defined fractions. Analysis of these fractions can be used to evaluate asphalt composition. For example, one can compare the ratios of the fractions with other asphalt systems to evaluate processing and aging parameters that relate to performance properties of the asphalt.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the separation of four defined fractions from petroleum asphalts. The four fractions are defined as saturates, naphthene aromatics, polar aromatics, and nC7-asphaltenes. These methods can also be used to isolate saturates, naphthene aromatics, and polar aromatics from distillate products such as vacuum gas oils, lubricating oils, and cycle stocks. These distillate products usually do not contain asphaltenes.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.3 his standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  Specific precautionary statements are given in Section 8 and 15.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Aug-2001
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.47 - Miscellaneous Asphalt Tests

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4124-97 - Standard Test Methods for Separation of Asphalt into Four Fractions
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2001
• Replaced By: ASTM D4124-09 - Standard Test Method for Separation of Asphalt into Four Fractions
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2009
• Referred By: ASTM D6703-19 - Standard Test Method for Automated Heithaus Titrimetry
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D5505-14(2020) - Standard Practice for Classifying Emulsified Recycling Agents
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2001
• Referred By: ASTM D8-22a - Standard Terminology Relating to Materials for Roads and Pavements
• Effective Date: 10-Aug-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D4124–01
Standard Test Methods for
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Separation of Asphalt into Four Fractions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4124; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.2 naphthene aromatics—material that is adsorbed on
calcined CG-20 alumina in the presence of n-heptane, and
1.1 These test methods cover the separation of four defined
desorbed by toluene, after removal of the saturates under the
fractions from petroleum asphalts. The four fractions are
conditions specified.
defined as saturates, naphthene aromatics, polar aromatics, and
3.1.3 petrolenes—the n-heptane-soluble matter recovered
nC -asphaltenes. These methods can also be used to isolate
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following separation of the asphaltenes from the digested
saturates, naphthene aromatics, and polar aromatics from
mixture under the specified conditions in these test methods.
distillateproductssuchasvacuumgasoils,lubricatingoils,and
3.1.4 polar aromatics—material desorbed from calcined
cycle stocks. These distillate products usually do not contain
CG-20 alumina absorbent, after the saturates and naphthene
asphaltenes.
aromatics have been removed, using toluene and trichloroeth-
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
ylene eluants under the conditions specified.
standard.
3.1.5 saturates—materialthat,onpercolationina n-heptane
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
eluant, is not absorbed on calcined CG-20 alumina absorbent
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
under the conditions specified.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
METHOD A
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
tionary statements are given in Section 8 and 15.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The sample containing the four defined fractions is first
2. Referenced Documents
separated into n-heptane-insoluble asphaltenes and the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
n-heptane-soluble petrolenes. Petrolenes are then adsorbed on
C 670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
calcined CG-20 alumina and further fractionated into the
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for Test Methods for Construction Materials
saturate, naphthene aromatic and polar aromatic fractions by
C 802 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Test Pro-
downward solvent elution in a glass chromatographic column.
gram to Determine the Precision of Test Methods for
Eluted fractions are recovered by solvent removal prior to final
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Construction Materials
weighing. The three eluted fractions plus the n-heptane-
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D 140 Practice for Sampling Bituminous Materials
precipitated (nC ) asphaltenes comprise the four fractions
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D 3279 Test Method for n-Heptane Insolubles
defined in Section 3.
2.2 Other Documents:
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Manual on Hydrocarbon Analysis
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method separates asphalts into four well-
3. Terminology
defined fractions. Analysis of these fractions can be used to
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
evaluate asphalt composition. For example, one can compare
3.1.1 asphaltenes or n-heptane insolubles—insoluble mat-
theratiosofthefractionswithotherasphaltsystemstoevaluate
ter that can be separated from asphalt following digestion of
processing and aging parameters that relate to performance
the asphalt in n-heptane under the specified conditions in these
properties of the asphalt.
test methods.
6. Apparatus and Materials
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6.1 Glass Chromatographic Column, 1000 mm long and
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
31 mm in inside diameter with features as specified in Fig. 1.
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.47 in
6.2 Utilities—Steam bath, vacuum source, nitrogen source,
Miscellaneous Asphalt Tests.
and drying oven (Rotavapor solvent stripper and electric
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2001. Published October 2001. Originally
published as D 4124 – 82. Last previous edition D 4124 – 97. heating mantles optional).
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.02.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.03.
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Available from ASTM as PCN 03-332030-12. Can be custom-made by any professional glassblower.
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D4124–01
FIG. 1 Chromatographic Column for Separation of Asphalt by Elution-Adsorption (Method A or B)
6.3 Beakers, graduated; Erlenmeyer flasks, 400-mL; Round- 6.9 Rinse Squeeze Bott
...