Rock
Aggregate
Cement
Concrete
Soil
Steel
Bitumen/Asphalt
Security Survey Equipment
General Items
WATER IN BITUMINOUS MATERIAL (DEAN-STARK) AZA0936
The AZA0936 Water in Bituminous Material (Dean–Stark) Apparatus from Azalab is a precision laboratory system designed for the accurate determination of water content in bituminous materials, including asphalt, road oils, cut-back asphalts, and related petroleum-based binders.
Water contamination in bitumen can significantly degrade material performance by causing poor adhesion to aggregates, stripping, foaming during mixing, and reduced pavement durability. Using the internationally accepted Dean–Stark azeotropic distillation method, the AZA0936 provides reliable, repeatable, and standard-compliant moisture determination, making it essential for quality control in road construction, civil engineering laboratories, and bitumen production facilities.
Description
Importance of Water Content Determination in Bitumen
Even small amounts of water in bituminous materials can lead to serious performance issues, including:
-
Reduced bonding between binder and aggregate
-
Increased susceptibility to stripping and moisture damage
-
Inconsistent mixing and compaction during asphalt production
-
Lower durability and premature pavement failure
The AZA0936 enables laboratories to accurately quantify water content, ensuring materials meet specification limits and performance requirements before use.
Principle of Operation – Dean–Stark Method
The Dean–Stark method is an azeotropic distillation technique that ensures complete separation and measurement of water present in bituminous samples.
Test Procedure Overview:
-
Sample Preparation
A known mass of bituminous material is placed in a borosilicate distillation flask with a water-immiscible solvent such as xylene, toluene, or petroleum naphtha. -
Heating and Distillation
The mixture is heated, causing both solvent and water to vaporize. -
Condensation
Vapors pass through a water-cooled reflux condenser and condense into liquid form. -
Separation in Dean–Stark Trap
The condensate flows into a calibrated Dean–Stark trap where water (heavier) separates and settles at the bottom, while solvent (lighter) overflows and returns to the flask. -
Measurement
When distillation is complete, the collected water volume is read directly from the graduated trap and calculated as a percentage of the original sample.
This method ensures complete water recovery, delivering high accuracy and repeatability.
Key Features
-
Standard Dean–Stark Distillation Method
Proven and globally accepted technique for moisture determination in bituminous materials. -
High-Quality Borosilicate Glassware
Resistant to thermal shock and chemical attack for long service life. -
Precision Graduated Trap
Allows direct and accurate reading of water volume with fine graduation resolution. -
Efficient Reflux Condenser
Ensures complete condensation and minimal solvent loss. -
Uniform Heating System
Electric heating mantle or hot plate provides controlled and stable distillation. -
Modular and Stable Assembly
Supplied with stands and clamps for safe and secure laboratory operation.
Standards Compliance
The AZA0936 is manufactured to comply with major international and national standards, including:
-
ASTM D95 – Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials by Distillation
-
EN 1428 – Determination of water content in bituminous binders
-
AASHTO T55 – Water in Petroleum Products and Bituminous Materials
-
IP 74
-
IS 1448 (Part 53)
Compliance ensures results are globally recognized and specification-acceptable.
Applications
-
Asphalt and bitumen testing laboratories
-
Road construction and pavement QA/QC
-
Bitumen manufacturing and processing plants
-
Research and academic institutions
-
Petroleum and materials testing labs
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model | AZA0936 |
| Test Method | Dean–Stark (Azeotropic Distillation) |
| Primary Application | Water content in bituminous materials |
| Distillation Flask | Borosilicate glass, 500 ml or 1000 ml |
| Dean–Stark Trap | Graduated, typically 5 / 10 / 25 ml |
| Graduation Resolution | Typically 0.1 ml |
| Condenser | Water-cooled Liebig or West type |
| Heating System | Electric mantle or hot plate with regulator |
| Glassware Material | Borosilicate glass |
| Standards | ASTM D95, EN 1428, AASHTO T55 |
| Power Supply | 230V, 50/60 Hz (heater) |
| Design | Bench-mounted modular assembly |
| Country of Origin | India |
Standard Accessories Supplied
-
Borosilicate round-bottom distillation flask
-
Dean–Stark graduated receiver trap
-
Water-cooled reflux condenser
-
Electric heating mantle or hot plate
-
Laboratory stand, clamps, and connectors
Why Choose AZA0936?
-
Accurate and repeatable moisture determination
-
Fully compliant with ASTM, EN, AASHTO, and IS standards
-
Essential for preventing moisture-related asphalt failures
-
Durable borosilicate construction for long-term use
-
Trusted solution for bitumen quality control
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What does AZA0936 measure?
It measures the water content present in bituminous materials using the Dean–Stark distillation method.
Q2: Why is water content testing important in bitumen?
Water negatively affects adhesion, durability, and performance of asphalt pavements.
Q3: Which standards does AZA0936 comply with?
ASTM D95, EN 1428, AASHTO T55, IP 74, and IS 1448 (Part 53).
Q4: What solvents are commonly used?
Xylene, toluene, or petroleum naphtha, as specified in the relevant standard.
Q5: Is the system manual or automatic?
The AZA0936 is a precision manual distillation system with controlled heating.
AZA0936 – Reliable Water Content Determination for High-Quality Bituminous Materials
Additional information
| Model |
AZA 0936 |
|---|---|
| Test Method |
Dean-Stark (Azeotropic Distillation) |
| Primary ApplicationDetermiMaterial (Glassware) |
High-quality Borosilicate Glass. |
| Power Supply (for heater) |
Typically 230V, 50/60 Hz, Single Phase (confirm specific model).nation of water content in bituminous materials. |
| Material (Glassware) |
High-quality Borosilicate Glass. |
Related products
ELASTIC RECOVERY MOULD AZA0958
The AZA0958 Elastic Recovery Mould is a precision-engineered testing accessory used in bitumen ductility and elastic recovery tests, particularly for evaluating polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) and elastomer-modified binders. It plays a critical role in determining the elastic behavior of bituminous binders after elongation, which directly influences pavement performance under traffic loads and temperature variations.
Elastic recovery is a key parameter for modern road construction materials, especially where enhanced flexibility, crack resistance, and rutting resistance are required. The AZA0958 mould ensures the formation of standardized, dimensionally accurate specimens, enabling reliable and repeatable elastic recovery measurements in accordance with international standards.
KINEMATIC VISCOMETER BATH AZA0948
REFLUX EXTRACTOR 4000 GMS AZA0941
The AZA0941 Reflux Extractor 4000 GMS from Azalab is a high-efficiency laboratory apparatus designed for the quantitative determination of bitumen content in asphalt paving mixtures using the reflux extraction method. Engineered for large sample capacities up to 4000 grams, the AZA0941 is an essential instrument for civil engineering laboratories, road construction quality control, and materials testing facilities.
By ensuring accurate separation of bitumen binder from aggregates, the AZA0941 helps verify compliance with asphalt mix design specifications, directly contributing to durable, high-performance pavement construction.
RING & BALL APPARATUS(SEMI AUTOMATIC) AZA0934
The AZA0934 Ring & Ball Apparatus (Semi-Automatic) from Azalab is an advanced laboratory instrument designed for the precise determination of the softening point of bitumen, asphalt binders, and related bituminous materials. This critical test evaluates the temperature susceptibility and high-temperature performance of asphalt binders, directly influencing pavement resistance to rutting and permanent deformation under hot service conditions.
By integrating the standard Ring & Ball method with semi-automatic control and detection features, the AZA0934 significantly improves accuracy, repeatability, and operational efficiency, making it ideal for modern quality control, research, and specification laboratories.
RING AND BALL APPARATUS AZA0932
The AZA0932 Ring & Ball Apparatus from Azalab is a fundamental laboratory instrument designed for the manual determination of the softening point of bitumen, road tars, and bituminous binders. The softening point test is a critical quality control parameter in civil engineering and road construction, particularly in regions with wide temperature variations.
The softening point represents the temperature at which a bituminous material changes from a semi-solid to a softened state under standardized conditions. The AZA0932 provides a robust, reliable, and cost-effective manual solution, fully compliant with Indian and international testing standards.
SAY BOLT VISCOMETER AZA0950
The AZA0950 Saybolt Viscometer from AZALAB is a fundamental laboratory instrument designed to determine the empirical viscosity of petroleum products, lubricants, and bituminous materials. Viscosity—defined as a fluid’s resistance to flow—is a critical performance parameter influencing lubrication efficiency, fuel handling, and asphalt workability.
The Saybolt method measures efflux time, providing a standardized and widely accepted indication of flow behavior at controlled temperatures.
SOLVENT RECOVERY UNIT AZA0949
STRAIGHT EDGE (3 Meters) AZA0959
The AZA0959 Straight Edge (3 Meter) from AZALAB is a fundamental and indispensable pavement surface regularity measurement tool used extensively in road construction, supervision, and maintenance activities. This simple yet highly effective device is designed to detect and quantify surface irregularities such as undulations, depressions, and high spots in newly constructed or existing pavement layers.
Surface regularity is a critical quality parameter influencing riding comfort, vehicle safety, drainage efficiency, and long-term pavement durability. The AZA0959 Straight Edge enables quick, reliable, and repeatable assessment of both longitudinal and transverse pavement evenness, ensuring compliance with national road construction specifications, particularly those issued by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) and Indian Roads Congress (IRC).
