EN 12592:2014
(Main)Bitumen and bituminous binders - Determination of solubility
General Information
- Abstract
This European Standard specifies a method for determining the degree of solubility of bituminous binders having little or no mineral matter other than recovered bituminous binders from asphalt mixes, in a specific solvent. Toluene is used as the solvent for reference tests.
NOTE Bituminous binders will have varying solubility in different solvents.
WARNING - 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 identify the hazards and assess the risks involved in performing this test method and to implement sufficient control measures to protect individual operators (and the environment). This includes appropriate safety and health practices and determination of the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 04-Nov-2014
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 336 - Bituminous binders
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 336/WG 1 - Bituminous binders for paving
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 06-Jun-2026
- Completion Date
- 17-Sep-2026
Overview
EN 12592:2014 specifies a laboratory method for determining the degree of solubility of bitumen and bituminous binders in a selected solvent. It is intended for binders that contain little or no mineral matter and for recovered binders from asphalt mixes. Toluene is the reference solvent for comparison tests. The standard describes sampling, dissolution, vacuum filtration through a sintered glass crucible with powdered glass filter aid, drying and weighing of insoluble residue, calculation of solubility, and expression of results.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and safety: Applicable to binders with minimal mineral content; includes a clear safety warning about hazardous solvents and laboratory operations.
- Solvent: Toluene (ISO 5272) is the reference solvent; xylene (ISO 5280) is an alternative. Note: solubility varies with solvent choice.
- Sample size & preparation: Typical test uses (2 ± 1) g dry sample prepared per EN 12594; dissolution with about 100 ml solvent and agitation until no lumps remain.
- Filtering assembly: Sintered glass crucible (porosity P4) with powdered borosilicate glass filter aid (approx. 3.0 ± 0.1 g, particle size 50–80 µm). Glass fibre or equivalent filters are permitted but powdered glass is the reference.
- Temperature control: Use laboratory air temp for most tests; for reference tests place solution in (25 ± 2) °C water bath for 1 h. For high-wax samples use 40 °C to avoid paraffin crystallization.
- Drying and weighing: Oven at 15–25 °C above solvent boiling point; weigh to 0.1 mg and repeat until change ≤ 0.5 mg.
- Calculation & reporting: Report percentage soluble matter to nearest 0.05% as the mean of two valid determinations. Repeatability (same lab) is 0.10% absolute; reproducibility (different labs) 0.15% absolute.
- Documentation: Test report must identify sample, solvent, deviations, filter medium, date, and results.
Practical applications and users
- Quality control laboratories testing bitumen and recovered binders for production acceptance and specification compliance.
- Asphalt producers and road maintenance organizations assessing binder purity and the extent of non‑bituminous residues.
- Research labs studying binder composition, aging, recycling of asphalt mixes, or solvent effects on solubility.
- Standards bodies and procurement/specification authors requiring a reproducible solubility test for contract or regulatory purposes.
Related standards
Normative references in EN 12592:2014 include:
- EN 58 - Sampling of bituminous binders
- EN 1425 - Characterization of perceptible properties
- EN 12594 - Preparation of test samples
- ISO 5272 / ISO 5280 - Specifications for toluene and xylene
Keywords: EN 12592:2014, bitumen solubility, bituminous binders, toluene, solubility test, sintered glass crucible, powdered glass, vacuum filtration, binder quality control.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 08-Jun-2022
- Effective Date
- 10-Jun-2026
- Effective Date
- 10-Jun-2026
- Effective Date
- 10-Jun-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
- Referred By
EN 13108-4:2016 - Bituminous mixtures - Material specifications - Part 4: Hot Rolled Asphalt - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13924:2006 - Bitumen and bituminous binders - Specifications for hard paving grade bitumens - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13304:2009 - Bitumen and bituminous binders - Framework for specification of oxidised bitumens - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12592:2014 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Bitumen and bituminous binders - Determination of solubility". This standard covers: This European Standard specifies a method for determining the degree of solubility of bituminous binders having little or no mineral matter other than recovered bituminous binders from asphalt mixes, in a specific solvent. Toluene is used as the solvent for reference tests. NOTE Bituminous binders will have varying solubility in different solvents. WARNING - 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 identify the hazards and assess the risks involved in performing this test method and to implement sufficient control measures to protect individual operators (and the environment). This includes appropriate safety and health practices and determination of the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
This European Standard specifies a method for determining the degree of solubility of bituminous binders having little or no mineral matter other than recovered bituminous binders from asphalt mixes, in a specific solvent. Toluene is used as the solvent for reference tests. NOTE Bituminous binders will have varying solubility in different solvents. WARNING - 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 identify the hazards and assess the risks involved in performing this test method and to implement sufficient control measures to protect individual operators (and the environment). This includes appropriate safety and health practices and determination of the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
EN 12592:2014 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 12592:2014 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12592:2007, ISO 5272:1979, ISO 5280:1979, ISO 4793:1980, EN 13312-2:2001, EN 13312-6:2001, EN 1425:2012, EN 58:2012, EN 12594:2024, EN 13108-4:2016, EN 13305:2009, EN 13924:2006, EN 13924-2:2014, EN 14733:2005+A1:2010, EN 13304:2009. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12592:2014 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 der LöslichkeitBitumes et liants bitumineux - Détermination de la solubilitéBitumen and bituminous binders - Determination of solubility91.100.50Veziva. Tesnilni materialiBinders. Sealing materials75.140Voski, bitumni in drugi naftni proizvodiWaxes, bituminous materials and other petroleum productsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 12592:2014SIST EN 12592:2014en,fr,de01-december-2014SIST EN 12592:2014SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 12592:20071DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 12592
November 2014 ICS 75.140; 91.100.50 Supersedes EN 12592:2007English Version
Bitumen and bituminous binders - Determination of solubility
Bitumes et liants bitumineux - Détermination de la solubilité Bitumen und bitumenhaltige Bindemittel - Bestimmung der Löslichkeit This European Standard was approved by CEN on 16 August 2014.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
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