EN 16849:2016
(Main)Bitumen and bituminous binders - Determination of water content in bituminous emulsions - Method using a drying balance
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard specifies a quick method for determining, by evaporation, the water content of bituminous road emulsions, with or without polymer added.
For bituminous emulsions without flux oil, bituminous emulsions containing vegetal flux oil, and bituminous emulsions containing up to 1,5 % mass of mineral flux oil in the emulsion, this European Standard, according to the selected operating conditions, is considered as an alternative method to the reference method EN 1428 [1].
Above a mineral flux oil content of 1,5 % by mass, depending on the volatility of the flux oil:
- the present method can be used up to a flux oil content above 1,5 % by mass if the user can prove its reliability in comparison to EN 1428.
- the present method can only be used by correcting the result by means of a previously established correlation with the reference method EN 1428.
NOTE Polymer modified emulsions can behave differently in the test than unmodified emulsions; in case of doubt, the method is checked against EN 1428.
In case of dispute, the water content should be determined according to EN 1428.
WARNING - The use of this European Standard can involve hazardous materials, operations and equipment. This European Standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this European Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For environmental reasons and to reduce emissions to air, water and soil, it is recommended to limit the use of products, solvents and energy to the minimum required for a valid test result.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 18-Oct-2016
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 336 - Bituminous binders
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 336/WG 2 - Emulsions and fluxed bitumens
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 30-Nov-2022
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 16849:2016 specifies a quick evaporation method for determining the water content in bituminous emulsions using a drying balance. Intended for road bitumen emulsions (with or without polymer), the standard defines apparatus, sampling and test procedures to obtain the water percentage by mass. Where applicable, it is presented as an alternative to reference methods EN 1428 / EN 1431 under defined conditions.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope: Applies to bituminous emulsions (polymer-modified included, but behaviour may differ); limitations apply for emulsions containing mineral flux oil above 1.5% by mass.
- Apparatus: A drying balance capable of weighing to 0.001 g and maintaining temperature within ±5 °C in the 110–150 °C range; drying cups and absorbing glass fibre filters to avoid skinning.
- Sampling & sample prep: Follow EN 58 (sampling) and EN 12594 (preparation of test samples).
- Test temperatures (select depending on flux type):
- 110 °C: mineral-flux emulsions up to 1.5% or emulsions with ≥5% vegetal flux
- 130 °C: vegetal flux emulsions with <5% vegetal flux
- 150 °C: non-fluxed emulsions
- Stop criterion: Set close to 1 mg/50 s; test ends when mass is constant per this criterion.
- Calculation & expression: Water content calculated from mass loss and reported to 0.1% (nearest 0.1% by mass).
- Precision: Repeatability ~0.6% (absolute) and reproducibility ~1.8% (absolute) as determined by round-robin tests.
- Flux oil considerations: For mineral flux oil >1.5% by mass, either validate the method against EN 1428/EN 1431 or apply a correction based on an established correlation; volatility of flux oil affects usability.
- Safety & environment: Standard warns about hazardous materials/operations and recommends minimizing solvents and energy to reduce emissions.
Applications and users
EN 16849 is used for:
- Quality control of bitumen emulsions in manufacturing and on-site testing for road construction
- Laboratory verification of emulsion water content for asphalt producers, paving contractors, materials laboratories, and road authorities
- Rapid routine screening where the drying balance method offers faster results than azeotropic distillation (EN 1428)
Target users include QC technicians, pavement engineers, laboratory managers and regulatory bodies involved in bituminous binder testing.
Related standards
- EN 1428 - azeotropic distillation reference for water content
- EN 1431 - distillation methods for residual binder/oil distillate
- EN 58 - sampling of bituminous binders
- EN 12594 - preparation of test samples
- ISO 5725-2 - accuracy, repeatability and reproducibility assessment
Keywords: EN 16849, bitumen emulsions, water content, drying balance, bituminous binders, flux oil, polymer modified emulsions, EN 1428.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 16849:2016 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Bitumen and bituminous binders - Determination of water content in bituminous emulsions - Method using a drying balance". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a quick method for determining, by evaporation, the water content of bituminous road emulsions, with or without polymer added. For bituminous emulsions without flux oil, bituminous emulsions containing vegetal flux oil, and bituminous emulsions containing up to 1,5 % mass of mineral flux oil in the emulsion, this European Standard, according to the selected operating conditions, is considered as an alternative method to the reference method EN 1428 [1]. Above a mineral flux oil content of 1,5 % by mass, depending on the volatility of the flux oil: - the present method can be used up to a flux oil content above 1,5 % by mass if the user can prove its reliability in comparison to EN 1428. - the present method can only be used by correcting the result by means of a previously established correlation with the reference method EN 1428. NOTE Polymer modified emulsions can behave differently in the test than unmodified emulsions; in case of doubt, the method is checked against EN 1428. In case of dispute, the water content should be determined according to EN 1428. WARNING - The use of this European Standard can involve hazardous materials, operations and equipment. This European Standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this European Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For environmental reasons and to reduce emissions to air, water and soil, it is recommended to limit the use of products, solvents and energy to the minimum required for a valid test result.
This European Standard specifies a quick method for determining, by evaporation, the water content of bituminous road emulsions, with or without polymer added. For bituminous emulsions without flux oil, bituminous emulsions containing vegetal flux oil, and bituminous emulsions containing up to 1,5 % mass of mineral flux oil in the emulsion, this European Standard, according to the selected operating conditions, is considered as an alternative method to the reference method EN 1428 [1]. Above a mineral flux oil content of 1,5 % by mass, depending on the volatility of the flux oil: - the present method can be used up to a flux oil content above 1,5 % by mass if the user can prove its reliability in comparison to EN 1428. - the present method can only be used by correcting the result by means of a previously established correlation with the reference method EN 1428. NOTE Polymer modified emulsions can behave differently in the test than unmodified emulsions; in case of doubt, the method is checked against EN 1428. In case of dispute, the water content should be determined according to EN 1428. WARNING - The use of this European Standard can involve hazardous materials, operations and equipment. This European Standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this European Standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For environmental reasons and to reduce emissions to air, water and soil, it is recommended to limit the use of products, solvents and energy to the minimum required for a valid test result.
EN 16849:2016 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 75.140 - Waxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum products; 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 16849:2016 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12594:2024, EN 58:2012, EN 16346:2023, EN 13614:2021, EN ISO 20815:2010, EN 12847:2022, EN 13074-1:2019. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 16849:2016 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Bitumen und bitumenhaltige Bindemittel - Bestimmung des Wassergehaltes von Bitumenemulsionen - Verfahren mittels TrocknungswaageBitumes et liants bitumineux - Détermination de la teneur en eau des émulsions de bitume - Méthode par évaporation à la balance dessiccatriceBitumen and bituminous binders - Determination of water content in bituminous emulsions - Method using a drying balance91.100.50Veziva. Tesnilni materialiBinders. Sealing materials75.140Voski, bitumni in drugi naftni proizvodiWaxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum productsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16849:2016SIST EN 16849:2017en,fr,de01-januar-2017SIST EN 16849:2017SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16849
October
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{ sä s r rä w r English Version
Bitumen and bituminous binders æ Determination of water content in bituminous emulsions æ Method using a drying balance Bitumes et liants bitumineux æ Détermination de la teneur en eau des émulsions de bitume æ Méthode par évaporation à la balance dessiccatrice
Bitumen und bitumenhaltige Bindemittel æ Bestimmung des Wassergehaltes von Bitumenemulsionen æ Verfahren mittels Trocknungswaage This European Standard was approved by CEN on
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egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
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CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s x CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
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