An independent
test programme was commissioned at the Chatfield Research
Laboratory
to assess the benefits of treating Marshall asphalt with Phaltceel.
The full results proved the effectiveness of Phaltceel
in protecting
the asphalt when applied as recommended.
In the test programme, Marshall Asphalt blocks were exposed,
coated and uncoated with Phaltceel, to a range of damaging
fluids
that asphalt routinely encounters: Diesel, AVGAS, CIVGAS, Jet
Fuel and Hydraulic Fluid. The asphalt blocks were also exposed
to artificial accelerated ageing by continuous carbon arc ultra-violet
irradiation and simulated rainfall.
The asphalt blocks were prepared as 100mm x 25mm cylinders
from a mix used successfully at London's Heathrow Airport.
Phaltceel
coating was blended as recommended in the ratio of 10 parts
by volume of Part A to 1 part by volume of Part B and applied
as two coats at 18 sq. m/litre to the entire surface
of six asphalt cylinders.
After seven days storage at 18-21°C and 38-47% relative
humidity, coated and uncoated asphalt blocks were subjected
to immersion testing based on BS 3900 Part G5 and ISO 2812-1:1993.
The asphalt blocks were immersed totally in Diesel, AVGAS,
CIVGAS
and Jet Fuel. Artificial weathering began seven days after
Phaltceel coating and was conducted according to BS 3900 Part
F3.
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All
the immersion blocks were weighed at the outset and after
various immersion intervals. The blocks were inspected
initially and on completion of the immersion
cycle. Weathered blocks were also inspected and weighed at intervals up to a
total of 1,000 hours exposure.
The testing laboratory's conclusion states: “The test programme has demonstrated
that a Phaltceel coating, applied to Marshall asphalt in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions, provides a significant extension to the life of
the asphalt when exposed to four different fuels. The coating remained intact
after 1000 hours under the artificial weathering test and the asphalt integrity
was unaffected. Uncoated Marshall asphalt cracked fairly severely after 1000
hours exposure, and had probably reached the stage where repair would be considered
sensible”. |
