PMBs are an important component used in the provision of an all weather road network in Australasia, especially in the case of sprayed seal surfacings. The Austroads PMB specifications rely heavily on binder characterisation tests performed using the Elastometer apparatus.
The ARRB Elastometer assesses fundamental properties of Polymer Modified Binders (PMBs), operated in a controlled strain rate mode and records the resistance force to the constant strain rate as a function of time.
Using ARRB's extensive experience in road research, the Elastometer was developed to provide an understanding of PMB properties. The ARRB Elastometer is the preferred device for determining the properties of PMBs and is the basis for the Australian PMB specifications.
The Elastometer has recently been upgraded with a new data acquisition module and Windows 7 based software.
Applications
• Consistency testing
• Extensiometer testing
• Stiffness testing