Standard Specification for

Viscosity-Graded Asphalt Cement

AASHTO Designation: M 226-80 (2004)
1.

SCOPE

1.1.

This specification covers asphalt binders graded by viscosity at 60C (140F) for use in pavement
construction. Three sets of limits are offered in this specification. The purchaser shall specify the
applicable table of limits. In the event the purchaser does not specify limits, Table 1 shall apply.
For asphalt binders graded by penetration at 25C (77"F), see AASHTO M 20 for Asphalt Binder.

1.2.

The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

2.

MANUFACTURE

2.1.

The asphalt binder shall be prepared for crude petroleum by suitable methods.

3.

REQUIREMENTS

3.1.

The asphalt binder shall be homogeneous, free from water, and shall not foam when heated to
175C (347F).

3.2.

The asphalt binders shall conform to the requirements given in Tables 1,2, or 3, as specified by
the purchaser.

TS-2b

1bl 226-1

AASHTO

Table 1-Requirements
Original ~ s ~ h a l t )

for Asphalt Binder Graded by Viscosity at 60C (140F) (Grading Based on

Viscositv Grade

Test

AC-2.5

Viscosity, 60C (14OoF),Pa,s (Poises)

Viscosity, 135C (27SF), mm2/s-minimum
Penetration, 25C (77'F), 100 g, 5 s-minimum
Flash point, COC, "C ("F)-minimum
Solubility in trichloroethylene, percent-minimum
Tests on residue from thin-film oven test:
Viscosity, 60C (140F), Pa.s (Poises), maximum
Ductility, 25'C (77F). 5 c d m i n , cm-minimum
Spot test (when and as specified)b with:
Standard naphtha solvent
Naphtha-xylene solvent, percent xylene
Heotane-xvlene solvent. oercent xylene

AC-5

AC- I 0

AC-20

AC-40

Negative for all grades

Negative for all grades
Negative for all grades

" If ductility is less than 100 cm, material will be accepted if ductility at 15.6"C (60F) is 100 cm minimum,
he use of the spot test is optional. When it is specitied, the engineer shall indicate whether the standard naphtha solvent, the naphtha-xylene solvent, or the
heptane-xylene solvent will be used in determining compliance with the requirement, and also, in the case of xylene solvents, the percentage of xylene to be used.

Table 2-Requirements
Original Asphalt)

for Asphalt Binder Graded by Viscosity at 60C (140F) (Grading Based on

Viscosity Grade
Test
Viscositv.
,. 60C (140F).
,. Pa,s (Poises),
~

Viscosity, 135C (27SF), mm2/s-minimum

Penetration, 25'C (77'F), 100 g, 5 s-minimum
Flash point, COC, "C ("F)-minimum
Solubility in trichloroethylene, percent-minimum
Tests on residue from thin-film oven test:
Loss on heating percent-maximumo
Viscosity, 60C (140F), Pa.s (Poises)-maximum
Ductility, 25C (77'F), 5 cmimin, cm-minimum
Spot test (when and as specified)' with:
Standard naphtha solvent
Naphtha-xylene solvent, percent xylene
Heptane-xylene solvent, percent xylene

AC-2.5
25*5
(250 50)
125
220
163 (325)
99.0

AC-5
5 0 i 10
(500 100)
175
140
177 (350)
99.0

AC-10
loo* 20
(1000 i 200)
250
80
219 (425)
99.0

AC-20
200 40
(2000 400)
300
60
232 (450)
99.0

AC-30
300 i60
(3000 600)
350
50
232 (450)
99.0

AC-40
400 80
(4000 800)
400
40
232 (450)
99.0

1.O
200 (2000)
100

0.5
400 (4000)
75

0.5
800 (8000)
50

0.5
1200 (12000)
40

0.5
1600 (16000)
25

100 (1000)
100b

Negative for all grades

Negative for all grades
Negative for all grades

" The use of loss on heating requirement is optional.

If ductility is less than 100 cm, material will be accepted if ductility at 15.6'C (60F) is 100 cm minimum.
The use of the spot test is optional. When it is specified, the engineer shall indicate whether the standard naphtha solvent, the naphtha-xylene solvent, or the
heptane-xylene solvent will be used in determining compliance with the requirement, and also, in the case of xylene solvents, the percentage of xylene to be used.

Table 3-Requirements for Asphalt Binder Graded by Viscosity at 60C (140F) (Grading Based on Residue from
Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)
Tests o n Residue from A A S H T O
Test Method T 240"
Viscosity, 60C (140aF), Pa.s (Poises)
Viscosity, 135C (27SoF), mm2/s-minimum
Penetration, 25C (77"F), 100 g, 5 s-minimum
Percent of original pen., 25C (77F)-minimum
Ductility, 25'C (77F). 5 cmimin, cm-minimum
Tests on original asphalt:
Flash point, COC, "C (OF)-minimum
Solubility in trichloroethylene, percent-minimum

Viscosity Grade
AR-40

AR- 1 0

AR-20

100 i 25
(1000 250)
140
65
1Oob

200 50
(2000 i 500)
200
40
40
1OOh

400 i 100
(4000 1000)
275
25
45
75

800 200
(8000 i2000)
400
20
50
75

1600 i 400
(16000 4000)
550
20
52
75

205 (400)
99.0

219 (425)
99.0

227 (440)
99.0

232 (450)
99.0

238 (460)
99.0

AR-80

AR-160

" AASHTO T 179 (Thin-Film Oven Test) may be used, but AASHTO T 240 shall be the referee method.
1f ductility is less than 100 cm, material will be accepted if ductility at 15.6'C (60F) is 100 cm minimum.

AASHTO

4.

METHODS OF SAMPLING AND TESTING

4.1.

Sampling and testing of asphalt binders shall be in accordance with the following standard
methods of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials:
T 40, Sampling
T 44, Solubility in Bituminous Materials
T 48, Flash Point (COC)
T 49, Penetration
T 5 1, Ductility
T 55, Water
T 102, Spot Test
T 179, Thin-Film Oven Test
T 201, Viscosity at 135C (275F)
T 202, Viscosity at 60C (140F)
T 240, Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test

TS-2 b

M 226-3

AASHTO