EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018
(Main)Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 3: Bitumen recovery: Rotary evaporator
General Information
- Abstract
This document describes a test method for the recovery of soluble bitumen from bituminous mixtures used in road, airfield or similar pavements in a form suitable for further testing. The test can be undertaken on either loose or compacted asphalt materials. The procedure is suitable for the recovery of paving grade bitumens, for which materials this European Standard is the reference method. The fractionating column procedure (see EN 12697-4) is the reference method for mixtures containing volatile matter such as cut-back bitumen.
For recovery of polymer modified bitumens, the rotary evaporator procedure is recommended.
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 18-Dec-2018
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 227 - Road materials
- Drafting Committee
- CEN/TC 227/WG 1 - Bituminous mixtures
- Current Stage
- 9020 - Submission to 2 Year Review Enquiry - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 15-Jul-2026
- Completion Date
- 15-Jul-2026
Overview
EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018 (CEN) specifies a laboratory test method for the recovery of soluble bitumen from bituminous mixtures (asphalt) using a rotary evaporator. It covers recovery from either loose or compacted pavement samples to produce bitumen in a form suitable for further physical and chemical testing. This procedure is the reference method for paving grade bitumens and is recommended for polymer-modified bitumens. Mixtures containing volatile binders (e.g., cut-back bitumen) should use the fractionating column method (see EN 12697-4).
Key topics and technical requirements
- Principle: dissolve bitumen in a suitable solvent, clarify the solution (remove insoluble solids), then recover bitumen by vacuum distillation with a rotary evaporator. Bitumen remains in solution for less than 24 hours.
- Solvents: dichloromethane (methylene chloride) is commonly used; alternatives listed include toluene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, xylene, benzene and 1,1,1‑trichloroethane (with noted differences in solubility/hardening behaviour).
- Apparatus basics:
- Rotary evaporator with a 1 L evaporating flask, rotation ~75 ± 15 r/min and vacuum capability to pressures specified per solvent (see standard).
- Oil bath (high-temperature silicone oil recommended), vacuum pump, and pressure gauges.
- Clarification equipment: sample-tube centrifuge (≥15 000 m/s²), continuous centrifuge (≥25 000 m/s²), or pressure filtration (with 11 μm papers). A 0.063 mm sieve is used to remove insoluble material.
- Procedure essentials:
- Extract sample to yield ~120–150 g recoverable binder per run.
- Clarify solution, minimize solvent evaporation and moisture ingress.
- Store clarified solution in the dark for up to 20 hours prior to distillation.
- Health & safety: solvents listed are hazardous; comply with occupational exposure limits, ventilation and handling regulations. Training is required.
Applications and users
EN 12697-3 is used by:
- Asphalt and pavement testing laboratories for binder recovery and characterization
- Road material engineers and quality control teams in highway/airfield projects
- Bitumen suppliers and contractors assessing recovered binder properties
- Research organizations studying aging, polymer modification and binder compatibility
Typical uses include recovering binder for penetration, softening point, viscosity or chemical analyses, verifying mix design assumptions, and supporting forensic investigations of pavement performance.
Related standards
- EN 12697-1: Soluble binder content and specimen preparation
- EN 12697-4: Fractionating column method (reference for volatile binders / cut-backs)
- EN 12697-38: Equipment calibration and common equipment
- EN 12594: Preparation of bitumen test samples
Keywords: EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018, bitumen recovery, rotary evaporator, bituminous mixtures, asphalt testing, polymer modified bitumen, paving grade bitumen, solvent extraction, CEN standard.
Relations
- Effective Date
- 18-Jan-2023
- Effective Date
- 31-Oct-2018
- 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
- Referred By
EN 13108-5:2006 - Bituminous mixtures - Material specifications - Part 5: Stone Mastic Asphalt - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13108-8:2016 - Bituminous mixtures - Material specifications - Part 8: Reclaimed asphalt - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13108-1:2016 - Bituminous mixtures - Material specifications - Part 1: Asphalt Concrete - Effective Date
- 28-Jan-2026
- Referred By
EN 13108-1:2006 - Bituminous mixtures - Material specifications - Part 1: Asphalt Concrete - 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
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Frequently Asked Questions
EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Bituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 3: Bitumen recovery: Rotary evaporator". This standard covers: This document describes a test method for the recovery of soluble bitumen from bituminous mixtures used in road, airfield or similar pavements in a form suitable for further testing. The test can be undertaken on either loose or compacted asphalt materials. The procedure is suitable for the recovery of paving grade bitumens, for which materials this European Standard is the reference method. The fractionating column procedure (see EN 12697-4) is the reference method for mixtures containing volatile matter such as cut-back bitumen. For recovery of polymer modified bitumens, the rotary evaporator procedure is recommended.
This document describes a test method for the recovery of soluble bitumen from bituminous mixtures used in road, airfield or similar pavements in a form suitable for further testing. The test can be undertaken on either loose or compacted asphalt materials. The procedure is suitable for the recovery of paving grade bitumens, for which materials this European Standard is the reference method. The fractionating column procedure (see EN 12697-4) is the reference method for mixtures containing volatile matter such as cut-back bitumen. For recovery of polymer modified bitumens, the rotary evaporator procedure is recommended.
EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 93.080.20 - Road construction materials. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to EN 12697-3:2013/FprA1:2018, EN 12697-3:2013, EN 12697-1:2012, EN 12697-38:2004, EN 12594:2024, EN 13108-20:2006, EN 13108-2:2016, EN 12697-4:2005, EN 13108-5:2006, EN 13108-8:2016, EN 13108-1:2016, EN 13108-1:2006, EN 14188-4:2009, EN 13108-4:2016, EN 12697-1:2020. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.
EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018 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.Bitumenske zmesi - Preskusne metode - 3. del: Ugotavljanje deleža veziva: rotacijski uparjalnikAsphalt - Prüfverfahren - Teil 3: Rückgewinnung des Bindemittels: RotationsverdampferMélanges Bitumineux - Méthodes d'essai - Partie 3: Extraction des bitumes à l'évaporateur rotatifBituminous mixtures - Test methods - Part 3: Bitumen recovery: Rotary evaporator93.080.20Materiali za gradnjo cestRoad construction materialsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018SIST EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2019en,fr,de01-februar-2019SIST EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2019SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 12697-3:20131DGRPHãþD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 12697-3:2013+A1
December
t r s z ICS
{ uä r z rä t r Supersedes EN
s t x { yæ uã t r s uEnglish Version
Bituminous mixtures æ Test methods æ Part
uã Bitumen recoveryã Rotary evaporator Mélanges Bitumineux æ Méthodes d 5essai æ Partie
uã Extraction des bitumes à l 5évaporateur rotatif
Asphalt æ Prüfverfahren æ Teil
uã Rückgewinnung des Bindemittelsã Rotationsverdampfer This European Standard was approved by CEN on
t z March
t r s u and includes Amendment
s approved by CEN on
{ November
t r s zä
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 Serbiaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Rue de la Science 23,
B-1040 Brussels
t r s z CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s t x { yæ uã t r s u ªA sã t r s z ESIST EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2019
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