Bending Beam Rheometer

This rheometer performs low temperature flexural creep stiffness measurements on asphalt binders as specified in current ASTM, AASHTO and SHRP methodology. Achieves temperatures from ambient to -36°C using the latest in Peltier technology. Bath fluid, which does not circulate outside the unit is cooled by solid state cooling modules surrounding the bath. Heat is dissipated from the hot side of the thermoelectric modules by circulating a mixture of water and antifreeze through an Air/Water heat exchanger. This arrangement facilitates rapid cooling and eliminates use of costly and potentially hazardous refrigerants. The rheometer is capable of controlling temperature to within 0.03°C, a precision far exceeding the requirements of current flexural creep test methodology for asphalt binders. The instrument measures specimen beam deflection to within 0.155 microns force to within 0.147 milliNewtons and specimen beam loads from 0 to 450 grams. Data acquisition is accomplished internally with information transferred to a host computer via a standard RS-232 interface. The software permits computer-controlled temperature selection and graphic and numeric output of test data. Unit comes standard with (6) aluminum molds. Requires an IBM compatible computer running Windows 95 or NT (3.51 or later), SVGA monitor, 16 MB of RAM, 20 MB hard disk space, 1.44 MB 3.5 inch floppy drive, and one available RS-232 port.