ASTM D6999-19

Standard Practice for Miscibility of Emulsified Asphalts

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 It is sometimes desirable to dilute an emulsified asphalt in the field with water. This practice is designed to ascertain if this may be done without irreversibly separating the water and asphalt (breaking) in the emulsified asphalt.
Note 2: Water supplies available in some areas contain high levels of dissolved salts and other minerals which coalesce (break) emulsified asphalts to a greater degree than distilled or deionized water. It is recommended that the user evaluate potential local job site water sources such as tap water using this practice before attempting a field dilution.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the suitability of all medium and slow-setting emulsified asphalts to be diluted with water. If desired, other liquids may be substituted for water, such as propylene glycol. It is not applicable to the rapid-setting types.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes (excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.  
1.4 This 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2019
• ICS: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials
• Technical Committee: D04 - Road and Paving Materials
• Drafting Committee: D04.42 - Emulsified Asphalt Test

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D6999-12 - Standard Practice for Miscibility of Emulsified Asphalts
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019
• Referred By: ASTM D244-09(2017) - Standard Test Methods and Practices for Emulsified Asphalts
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2019

Overview

ASTM D6999-19: Standard Practice for Miscibility of Emulsified Asphalts provides procedures to determine whether medium and slow-setting emulsified asphalts can be successfully diluted with water or other solvents in field applications. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is widely used in the road construction and maintenance industry to evaluate if emulsified asphalt products can be blended with local water sources, such as tap water, without causing irreversible separation of asphalt and water components (known as "breaking"). Proper dilution ensures optimal performance and application efficiency of emulsified asphalt in pavement construction and repair operations.

Key Topics

• Scope and Applicability:

  • This standard applies to all medium and slow-setting emulsified asphalts; it is not intended for rapid-setting types.
  • The practice outlines methods for testing miscibility with water or, if necessary, alternative solvents like propylene glycol.
  • All procedures use SI units as the standard measurement.

• Sample Preparation:

  • Detailed guidelines ensure asphalt emulsion homogeneity before testing.
  • Proper temperature control (either 25°C or 50°C, depending on viscosity testing requirements) is maintained throughout the process.

• Miscibility Assessment Procedure:

  • Diluted emulsified asphalt is observed for signs of significant coagulation or separation after mixing and resting.
  • Results are classified as either "miscible" or "non-miscible" based on visual observation.

• Importance of Water Quality:

  • Local water sources may contain minerals or salts that increase the risk of emulsion breaking.
  • The standard recommends evaluating the actual water intended for field use to replicate real job-site conditions.

• Reporting Requirements:

  • Reports must detail the outcome (miscible/non-miscible) and specify the type of water or solvent used during the test.

Applications

• Field Dilution of Emulsified Asphalt:
  Construction teams often need to dilute emulsified asphalt on site to adjust viscosity or adapt to specific job requirements. ASTM D6999-19 ensures that this process can be done reliably, reducing the risk of material failure due to improper mixing.

• Evaluation of Site Water Sources:
  By assessing miscibility with local tap water or other available supplies, project teams can anticipate and prevent problems associated with unexpected emulsion breaking, which could compromise surface quality or structural integrity.

• Quality Assurance for Road and Pavement Projects:
  Routine miscibility testing helps contractors and engineers select the right emulsified asphalt products and plan field operations with confidence, ensuring lasting pavement performance and reduced maintenance needs.

Related Standards

• ASTM D8055: Guide for Selecting an Appropriate Electronic Thermometer for Replacing Mercury Thermometers in Road and Paving Standards, referenced in D6999-19 for temperature measurement procedures.

• ASTM D977: Standard Specification for Emulsified Asphalt, a companion specification detailing performance and physical requirements of emulsified asphalt products.

• ASTM D2397: Standard Specification for Cationic Emulsified Asphalt, addressing specific chemistry relevant to cationic emulsions frequently tested under D6999-19 practices.

Practical Value

ASTM D6999-19 provides a straightforward, standardized method for testing the miscibility of medium and slow-setting emulsified asphalts prior to field dilution, supporting quality construction and efficient use of local resources. By mitigating risks associated with improper dilution, this standard helps ensure the durability and longevity of asphalt pavements and contributes to best practices in civil engineering and infrastructure maintenance.

Keywords: ASTM D6999-19, emulsified asphalt, asphalt miscibility, asphalt emulsion dilution, road construction standards, field dilution, pavement quality, water source evaluation, emulsified asphalt testing.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D6999 −19
Standard Practice for
Miscibility of Emulsified Asphalts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6999; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 All emulsified asphalts with viscosity testing require-
ments of 50 °C shall be heated to 50 6 3 °C in the original
1.1 This practice covers the suitability of all medium and
sample container in a water bath or oven. The container should
slow-setting emulsified asphalts to be diluted with water. If
be vented to relieve pressure. After the sample reaches 50 6
desired, other liquids may be substituted for water, such as
3 °C, stir the sample to achieve homogeneity.
propylene glycol. It is not applicable to the rapid-setting types.
3.3 Emulsified asphalts with viscosity testing requirements
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
of 25 °C should be mixed or stirred at 25 6 3 °C in the original
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
sample container to achieve homogeneity.
standard.
NOTE 1—Emulsified asphalts with viscosity testing requirements of
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
25 °C may be heated and stirred as specified in 3.2, if necessary. In the
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
event the 3.2 method is used, the sample should be cooled to 25 6 3 °C.
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered
as requirements of the standard.
4. Significance and Use
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 It is sometimes desirable to dilute an emulsified asphalt
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in the field with water. This practice is designed to ascertain if
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
this may be done without irreversibly separating the water and
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
asphalt (breaking) in the emulsified asphalt.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
NOTE 2—Water supplies available in some areas contain high levels of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dissolved salts and other minerals which coalesce (break) emulsified
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
asphalts to a greater degree than distilled or deionized water. It is
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
recommended that the user evaluate potential local job site water sources
such as tap water using this practice before attempting a field dilution.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
5. Apparatus and Materials
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
5.1 Beaker—Glass, 400-mL capacity.
2. Referenced Documents
5.2 Graduated cylinder—100-mLcapacity, or other suitable
2.1 ASTM Standards:
container to approximate 50 mL.
D8055 Guide for Selecting an Appropriate Electronic Ther-
5.3 Graduated cylinder—200-mL capacity
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6999 − 12 D6999 − 19
Standard Practice for
Miscibility of Emulsified Asphalts
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6999; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice covers the suitability of all medium and slow-setting emulsified asphalts to be diluted with water. water. If
desired, other liquids may be substituted for water, such as propylene glycol. It is not applicable to the rapid-setting types.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.4 This practicestandard 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and
determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D8055 Guide for Selecting an Appropriate Electronic Thermometer for Replacing Mercury Thermometers in D04 Road and
Paving Standards
3. Sample Conditioning for Testing
3.1 All emulsified asphalts shall be properly stirred to achieve homogeneity.
3.2 All emulsified asphalts with viscosity testing requirements of 50°C50 °C shall be heated to 50 6 3°C3 °C in the original
sample container in a water bath or oven. The container should be vented to relieve pressure. After the sample reaches 50 6
3°C,3 °C, stir the sample to achieve homogeneity.
3.3 Emulsified asphalts with viscosity testing requirements of 25°C25 °C should be mixed or stirred at 25 6 3°C3 °C in the
original sample container to achieve homogeneity.
NOTE 1—Emulsified asphalts with viscosity testing requirements of 25°C25 °C may be heated and stirred as specified in 2.23.2, if necessary. In the
event the 2.23.2 method is used, the sample should be cooled to 25 6 3°C.3 °C.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 It is sometimes desirable to dilute an emulsified asphalt in the field with water. This practice is designed to ascertain if this
may be done without irreversibly separating the water and asphalt (breaking) in the emulsified asphalt.
NOTE 2—Water supplies available in some areas contain high levels of dissolved salts and other minerals which coalesce (break) emulsified asphalts
to a greater degree than distilled or deionized water. It is recommended that the user evaluate potential local job site water sources such as tap water using
this practice before attempting a field dilution.
This practice is und
...