BS EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018

What is BS EN 12697-3-Bitumen recovery with rotary evaporator about?    

BS EN 12697 is a European Standard that discusses test methods for bituminous mixtures. The main objective of the BS EN 12697 series is to maintain structural integrity of your engineering works.   

BS EN 12697-3 is the third part of the series that 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 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.   

Who is BS EN 12697-3- Bitumen recovery with rotary evaporator for?   

BS EN 12697-3 on bituminous mixtures is relevant to:   

• Manufacturers and suppliers of bituminous mixtures   
• Suppliers of construction materials   
• Construction industry  
• Civil engineers and contractors  
• Road maintenance authorities 
• Airfield authorities   
• Testing laboratories  

Why should you use BS EN 12697-3- Bitumen recovery with rotary evaporator?    

According to the recommended method in BS EN 12697-3, the bitumen is separated from the sample by dissolving in dichloromethane (or another suitable solvent). After removal of undissolved solids from the bitumen solution, the bitumen is recovered from it by vacuum distillation using a rotary evaporator. 

Compliance with the testing methods in BS EN 12697-3 for bitumen recovery can enable you to identify and effectively remove solvents. As a result, you can ensure that the bitumen content used as a binder imparts a high level of durability and resistance to failures and defects.  

What’s changed since the last update?   

BS EN 12697‑3:2013+A1:2018 supersedes BS EN 12697-3:2013, which is withdrawn. The significant changes made in EN 12697-3:2013+A1:2018 compared to EN 12697-3:2013 are: 

• The series title no longer makes the method exclusively for hot mix asphalt 
• [5.1] NOTE: Paragraph deleted, stating that the hardening is usually approximately equivalent to the softening resulting from any solvent residue
• The temperature range 100 °C to 200 °C for the thermometer is replaced by a range of temperatures specified in Table 1 according to the solvent used 
• [7.1.2] Clarification that the 0,063 mm sieve is used for removal of any insoluble material