This specification covers asphalt binders graded by performance. Grading designations are related to the average seven-day maximum pavement design temperature, and minimum pavement design temperature. Asphalt binder shall be prepared by the refining of crude petroleum by suitable methods, with or without the addition of modifiers, which may be any organic material of suitable manufacture that is used in virgin or recycled condition, and that is dissolved, dispersed or reacted in asphalt cement to enhance its performance. This specification incorporates an aid for determining the critical low cracking temperature using a combination of test procedures.

1.1 This specification2 covers asphalt binders graded by performance. Grading designations are related to the LTPPBind Online calculated maximum pavement design temperature and the minimum pavement design temperature. This specification contains Tables 1 and 2. Table 2 incorporates Practice D6816 for determining the critical low cracking temperature using a combination of Test Method D6648 and Test Method D6723 test procedures. If no table is specified, the default is Table 1.

Note 1: For more information on LTPPBind Online, see https://infopave.fhwa.dot.gov/Tools/LTPPBindOnline accessed May 23, 2023.

Note 2: For asphalt cements graded by penetration at 25 °C, see Specification D946/D946M. For asphalt cements graded by viscosity at 60 °C, see Specification D3381/D3381M.

Note 3: AASHTO R 29 provides non-mandatory information for determining the performance grade of an asphalt binder.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.3 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.