Asphalt Ignition Oven Applications and Characteristics When paving with hot mix asphalt (HMA), it is very important that properties of the material; being laid down match what is called for in the mix design. It is one of the most fundamental factors to test the asphalt content in the material. There are two popular methods to determine this value.
1. A solvent in a number of methods to separate asphalt from the aggregate and filler materials. 2. Use an ignition furnace that ignites the asphalt. The asphalt ignition oven automatically determines the asphalt content of paving mixtures. Developed by NCAT (National Center of Asphalt Technology), this furnace is an environment-friendly and cost-effective method for the exact determination of the asphalt content. It removes the cost and safety concerns of using solvent and solvent disposal plagued by other different methods. The ignition method decreases testing time compared to solvent testing methods and features an electronic balance that automatically monitors sample weight throughout the ignition process and calculates endpoint, saving valuable technician time and increases productivity. To operate, the oven is pre-heated to the default set point temperature of 538 degrees C, while an asphalt sample is weighed, divided into screened baskets, and placed into the asphalt content oven chamber. The sample weight is entered along with a mix design calibration factor, and the test is started with the push of the button. At completion, the system automatically ends the test and prints the results.