This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D113 − 17 American Association State

Highway and Transportation Officials Standard
AASHTO No.: T51

Standard Test Method for

Ductility of Asphalt Materials1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D113; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope for details and the EPA’s website (http://www.epa.gov/

1.1 This test method describes the procedure for determin- mercury/faq.htm) for additional information. Users should be
ing the ductility of an asphalt material measured by the aware that selling mercury or mercury-containing products, or
distance to which it will elongate before breaking when two both, in your state may be prohibited by state law.
ends of a briquet specimen of the material, of the form 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
described in 4.1, are pulled apart at a specified speed and at a safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
specified temperature. Unless otherwise specified, the test shall responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
be made at a temperature of 25 6 0.5 °C [77 6 0.9 °F] and priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
with a speed of 5 cm/min 6 5.0 %. At other temperatures the mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
speed should be specified. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 Because of the large number of methods for obtaining
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
test samples, it is impractical to discuss specific products in this
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
test method. Refer to individual product specifications for
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
guidance in obtaining a test sample.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes
which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes 2. Referenced Documents
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not be considered 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
as requirements of the standard. C670 Practice for Preparing Precision and Bias Statements
1.4 The values stated in SI units or inch-pound units are to for Test Methods for Construction Materials
be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each D5/D5M Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Mate-
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system rials
shall be used independently of each other. Combining values D402/D402M Test Method for Distillation of Cutback As-
from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the phalt
standard. Bath and mold dimensions are given in SI units only, D1754/D1754M Test Method for Effects of Heat and Air on
as the equipment is not available in inch-pound units. Asphaltic Materials (Thin-Film Oven Test)
1.5 Warning—Mercury has been designated by the United D2872 Test Method for Effect of Heat and Air on a Moving
States Environmental Protection Agency and many state agen- Film of Asphalt (Rolling Thin-Film Oven Test)
cies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous D3666 Specification for Minimum Requirements for Agen-
system, kidney, and liver damage. Mercury or its vapor may be cies Testing and Inspecting Road and Paving Materials
hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should D6934 Test Method for Residue by Evaporation of Emulsi-
be taken when handling mercury and mercury-containing fied Asphalt
products. See the applicable product Safety Data Sheet (SDS) D6997 Test Method for Distillation of Emulsified Asphalt
D7403 Test Method for Determination of Residue of Emul-
sified Asphalt by Low-Temperature Vacuum Distillation
1
D7497 Practice for Recovering Residue from Emulsified
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D04 on Road
and Paving Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D04.44 on
Rheological Tests.
2
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2017. Published January 2018. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1921. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D113 – 07 which was contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
withdrawn January 2016 and reinstated in December 2017. DOI: 10.1520/D0113- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
17. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D113 − 17
Asphalt Using Low Temperature Evaporative Technique considered capable of competent and objective testing, sampling,
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers inspection, etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with
Specification D3666 alone does not completely ensure reliable results.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test Reliable results depend on many factors; following the suggestions of
Sieves Specification D3666 or some similar acceptable guideline provides a
E77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Ther- means of evaluating and controlling some of those factors.
mometers
E220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples By 4. Apparatus
Comparison Techniques 4.1 Mold—The mold shall be similar in design to that shown
E644 Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Ther- in Fig. 1. The mold shall be made of brass, 10.0 6 0.1 mm
mometers thick, the ends b and b' being known as clips, and the parts a
E1137/E1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resis- and a' as sides of the mold, with a brass base plate that is larger
tance Thermometers than the assembled mold. The dimensions of the assembled
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom- mold shall be as shown in Fig. 1 with the permissible variations
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids indicated.
3. Significance and Use 4.2 Water Bath for Conditioning Specimens—A water bath
capable of maintaining the specified test temperature, varying
3.1 This test method provides one measure of tensile prop-
not more than 0.5 °C [0.9 °F] from this temperature. The
erties of asphalt materials and may be used to measure ductility
specimen shall be immersed to a depth of not less than 2.5 cm.
for specification requirements.
4.3 Testing Machine—For pulling the briquet of asphalt
NOTE 1—The quality of the results produced by this standard are
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing the procedure material apart, any apparatus may be used which is so
and the capability, calibration, and maintenance of the equipment used. constructed that the specimen will be continuously immersed
Agencies that meet the criteria of Specification D3666 are generally in water, while the two clips are pulled apart at a uniform

A – Distance between centers, 111.5 to 113.5 mm.

B – Total length of briquet, 74.5 to 75.5 mm.
C – Distance between clips, 29.7 to 30.3 mm.
D – Shoulder, 6.8 to 7.2 mm.
E – Radius, 15.75 to 16.25 mm.
F – Width at minimum cross section, 9.9 to 10.1 mm.
G – Width at mouth of clip, 19.8 to 20.2 mm.
H – Distance between centers of radii, 42.9 to 43.1 mm.
I – Hole diameter, 6.5 to 6.7 mm.
J – Thickness, 9.9 to 10.1 mm.

FIG. 1 Mold for Ductility Test Specimen

2
 D113 − 17
speed, as specified, without undue vibration. A 65 % variation 5.2 Unaged Sample—If the sample is an asphalt binder,
of test speed is permissible. The water in the tank of the testing carefully heat the sample in a covered container to prevent
machine shall cover the specimen both above and below it by local overheating until it has become sufficiently fluid to pour.
at least 2.5 cm and shall be maintained within 60.5 °C Use an oven set at 135 6 5 °C [275 6 10 °F] for sample
[60.9 °F] of the test temperature. The testing machine shall heating.
incorporate a means by which the elongation at the time of 5.3 Aged Sample—If the sample is a conditioned residue
rupture can be measured in centimeters. obtained from Test Method D1754/D1754M or D2872, com-
4.4 Thermometer—A calibrated liquid-in-glass thermometer bine the residue into a single container, cover, and heat in an
of suitable range with subdivisions and maximum scale error of oven set at 135 6 5 °C [275 6 10 °F]. (See Note 3.)
0.1 °C [0.2 °F] or any thermometric device of equal accuracy, 5.4 Cut-Back Asphalt Residue—If the sample is a residual
precision, and sensitivity shall be used. Thermometers shall product recovered from cut-back distillation by means of Test
conform to the requirements of Specification E1 or E2251. Method D402/D402M, stir the heated residue and immediately
Other thermometric devices shall conform to the requirements pour portions of the residue into suitable molds for making the
of Specification E1137/E1137M. The thermometer used for the required tests.
water bath shall be calibrated periodically in accordance with
Test Method E77. An alternate thermometric device shall be NOTE 3—In those cases where the samples are not sufficiently fluid to
pour at 135 6 5 °C [275 6 10 °F], higher temperatures may be used.
calibrated periodically in accordance with Specification E1137/
E1137M and Test Method E220 or E644. 6. Procedure
4.5 Release Agent—A mixture such as glycerin with 6.1 Assemble three molds on a brass plate. Thoroughly coat
Dextrin, talc, or Kaolin (china clay), used to coat the bottom the surface of the plate and interior surfaces of the sides a and
and sides of mold to prevent the specimen from sticking to the a', Fig. 1, of the mold with a thin layer of release agent to
mold. Other materials may be used for this purpose if they have prevent the test material from sticking. The plate upon which
been shown not to affect the physical properties of the test the mold is placed shall be flat and level so that the bottom
specimen. surface of the mold will be in contact throughout. After sample
4.6 Oven—An oven capable of maintaining within 65 °C preparation as described in Section 5, thoroughly stir the
[610 °F] of the temperature required to heat the sample so it is sample and pour into the mold. In filling the mold, take care not
just fluid enough to pour. to disarrange the pieces of the mold, thus distorting the
specimen shape. Pour the material in a thin stream back and
4.7 Trimming Tool—A straight-edged putty knife or spatula
forth from end to end of the mold until the mold is more than
wider than the specimen for trimming.
level full. Allow the filled mold to cool to room temperature for
4.8 Specific Gravity Additive—A substance such as methyl 35 6 5 min. Then place it in the water bath at test temperature
alcohol, sodium chloride, or ethylene glycol used to adjust the for 35 6 5 min. Remove the test specimens from the water
specific gravity of the water bath to prevent specimen from bath, lightly dry top of mold with paper towel or cotton rag,
coming to the surface of the water or touching the bottom of then immediately trim the excess material with a hot trimming
the bath. Other additives may be used if they have been shown tool to make the molds just level full. (See Note 4.)
not to affect the physical properties of the specimen. 6.2 Keeping Specimen at Standard Temperature—Place the
4.9 Sieves—300-µm (No. 50) sieve, 3 in. in diameter, in trimmed specimen and mold in the water bath at the specified
accordance with Specification E11. temperature for 90 6 5 min prior to testing. Remove the
specimen from the plate by a shearing action between speci-
NOTE 2—In those cases where the ductility specimens are conditioned
in the standard penetration bath at 25 °C [77 °F], the thermometer or men and plate, avoiding any bending of the specimen.
equivalent thermometric device as prescribed for Test Method D5/D5M 6.3 Testing—Attach the rings at each end of the clips to the
may be used. pins or hooks in the testing machine and ensure that side pieces
a and a' have been removed. Pull the two clips apart at a
5. Sample Preparation uniform speed as specified until the specimen ruptures or
5.1 Emulsified Asphalt Residue—If the sample is a residual reaches the length limitations of the testing machine. Measure
product recovered from emulsified asphalt by means of Test the distance in centimetres through which the clips have been
Methods D6934, D6997, D7403, or Practice D7497, stir the pulled to produce rupture or final length.
contents and immediately pour portions of the residue into 6.3.1 A normal test is one in which the material ruptures
suitable molds for making the required tests. Residue obtained near the center of the specimen or reaches the length limita-
from lower-temperature emulsion recovery procedures shall be tions of the testing machine. A rupture occurring at either clip
brought to a temperature of at least 135 °C prior to pouring. If shall not be considered normal.
an emulsified asphalt residue does not meet the ductility 6.3.2 If the sample comes in contact with the surface of the
requirements, this may be indicative of the presence of foreign water or the bottom of the bath, the test shall not be considered
matter. If it is suspected that there is foreign matter in the normal. Adjust the specific gravity of the bath by using a
residue, the residue may be strained through a 300-µm (No. 50) specific gravity additive as described in 4.8 so that the test
sieve that has been preheated at 135 6 5 °C [275 6 10 °F] specimen neither comes to the surface of the water, nor touches
prior to pouring into the test molds. the bottom of the bath at any time during the test. (See Note 5.)

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 D113 − 17
NOTE 4—A critical dimension of the ductility mold is the width at the 8. Precision and Bias
cross section of the mold. Measure and record the cross section distance
and compare to the specifications listed in Fig. 1. In addition, best practice 8.1 Criteria for judging the acceptability of ductility test
recommends etching a uniform identification of letters or numbers on the results at 25 °C [77 °F] obtained by this test method are shown
mold set clips and side pieces so that the mold pieces are used as a set.
in Fig. 2. (See Notes 6-8.)
NOTE 5—Some additives used to adjust the specific gravity of the water
NOTE 6—The precision statement for ductility, as presented in Fig. 2, is
bath are toxic and can cause corrosion of the testing machine. If specific
gravity adjustments have been made, it is recommended to wear gloves based on tests performed on asphalt binders. The precision of tests on
when placing hands in the bath fluid. Frequent bath fluid changes are residues, such as those obtained by Test Methods D1754/D1754M and
recommended to prevent damage to the testing machine. D2872, have not been established.

7. Report NOTE 7—The numbers plotted in Fig. 2 represent the (1S) and (D2S)
limits for single-operator precision and multi-laboratory precision as
7.1 Report the average of three normal tests as the ductility described in Practice C670.
of the sample. If a normal test is not obtainable, report the
ductility as being unobtainable under the conditions of the test. NOTE 8—Insufficient data are available to properly define precision at
If rupture does not occur due to length limitations of the testing 15.6 °C [60 °F]. However, analysis of data resulting from tests by 13
machine, report ductility as the length limitation in cm+ (for laboratories on one asphalt for which the average ductility test result was
example, 150 cm+). If this testing is performed on less than 45 cm shows a multi-laboratory precision (D2S) of 23 cm.
three replicates of the same sample due to insufficient material,
include the number of replicates used in the test report. 9. Keywords
7.2 In the event of a discrepancy, the referee method shall be 9.1 ductility; ductility mold; ductilometer
to perform the test using three replicates. If the discrepancy
involves a distillation residue, pour the material through a
300-µm (No. 50) sieve that has been preheated at 135 6 5 °C
[275 6 10 °F] prior to pouring into test molds. Report the
average of three normal tests as the ductility of the sample.

FIG. 2 Precision Data

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 D113 − 17
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