ASTM D139-23

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Designation: D139 − 16 D139 − 23
Standard Test Method for
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Float Test for BituminousAsphalt Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D139; 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 test method covers the float test for bituminousasphalt materials.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 Warning—Mercury has been designated by EPA and many state agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central
nervous system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution
should be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) for details and EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be aware
that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.
1.4 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.
1.5 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 and healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.For a specific precaution statement, see 6.1.
1.6 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
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements for Test Methods for Construction Materials
D244 Test Methods and Practices for Emulsified Asphalts
D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
D6997 Test Method for Distillation of Emulsified Asphalt
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E230/E230M Specification for Temperature-Electromotive Force (emf) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
E879 Specification for Thermistor Sensors for General Purpose and Laboratory Temperature Measurements
E1137/E1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers
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This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.44 on Rheological
Tests.
Current edition approved Nov. 15, 2016Dec. 1, 2023. Published December 2016December 2023. Originally approved in 1922. Last previous edition approved in 20122016
as D139 – 12.D139 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D0139-16.10.1520/D0139-23.
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D139 − 23
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2.2 IEC Standard:Standards:
IEC 6085460584 Methods of Measuring the Performance of Ultrasonic Pulse-Echo Diagnostic EquipmentThermocouples—Part
1: EMF Specifications and Tolerances
IEC 60751 Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers and Platinum Temperature Sensors
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 A plug of bitumenasphalt is cast in a tapered collar. The assembled float and collar is then floated in the testing bath at the
specified temperature. The time, in seconds, between placing the apparatus on the water and the water breaking through the
material shall be taken as a measure of the consistency of the material under examination.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The float test characterizes the flow behavior or consistency of certain bituminousasphalt materials.
4.2 This test method is useful in determining the consistency of bitumenasphalt a
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