Product/Service
ADS Rheometer
Source: Malvern Instruments
ADS stands for Automated Dynamic Shear Rheometer. When you need absolutely the best precision and accuracy in asphalt characterization, the ADS is the right choice.
Since the inception of the SHRP program, Malvern has defined the standard for dynamic shear testing of asphalt. Bohlin DSRs are used in more asphalt testing labs than any other DSR manufacturer. With unparalleled dedication and commitment to the asphalt industry, Malvern remains the number one choice in asphalt shear testing. The original DSR and DSRII are well known for their quality and ease of use. Today, the market demands a greater level of automation and sophistication than ever before. To meet those changing needs, the ADS was developed.
The engineers at Malvern started with the most important features of the DSRII and improved upon them - increasing the performance in every respect, improving resolution, torque range, and automating the gap setting procedure.
Automatic Gap Setting
Lab technicians may come and go, but the accuracy of your results must remain the same. Accurate DSR results are critical to your business - mistakes can cost you money, time, and in some cases, result in litigation.
The Gap setting process is one of the most critical aspects of the testing procedure. To make sure it is done correctly, every time, Bohlin automated the procedure on the ADS. Simply click or push a button and the gap is set. The ADS is even smart enough to change the gap automatically for different temperatures, enabling the most precise measurements possible regardless of the test temperature.
Increased Angular Resolution
Much has changed in the DSR specifications since the beginning of the SHRP program, and it is likely that there will be more changes in the foreseeable future. To make sure that your investment is protected, the angular resolution of the ADS has been increased to 1 micro-radian, fifty times better than that required in the SHRP protocols. Why? Because better (smaller) angular resolution means better data under any conditions. Better angular resolution is particularly important for small strain testing. The current specification demands binder testing at a strain of 2%, in comparison with 12 % in the original specification. No one can say what kind of demands will be required a few years from now, so the engineers at Malvern prepared the ADS with sufficient resolution to characterize the most demanding samples imaginable.
Increased Torque Range
PAV testing places unique demands on a rheometer. Since the samples are stiff, small (8mm) plates are used so that a measurable angle can be determined. It can be quite a challenge to work with such small diameter samples, especially trimming them. If the specification were written today using the ADS, much larger plates could be used, which would improve the accuracy and reproducibility of PAV data.
The inclusion of the strain sweep in the binder specification has changed the maximum torque required by a factor of two. To make sure that your investment will be productive for many years to come, the ADS is available at two different torque levels. The maximum torque for the standard version is 5 times greater than the DSRII at 50 mNm. The high torque version of the ADS produces up to 120 mNm, more than 10 times the torque of the original DSR and more than twice the maximum torque of our closest competitor.
Temperature Control
The ADS uses the same patented total immersion bath sample thermal control system as used on the original DSR and DSRII. The sample is completely submerged in the immersion chamber, which is sealed from the environment via the thermal enclosure, preventing ambient conditions from affecting sample temperature. The sample temperature is measured with a PT100 located directly below the lower plate for superior accuracy and minimal offsets. Easy to replace foam filters minimize asphalt contamination of the circulator lines.
Flexibility is the key - researchers can use any type of temperature control or test geometry on the ADS: forced gas convection, electrical heating and Peltier modules can be easily installed by the user according to their needs.
Spec And Research Grade DSR In One
User defined password protected screens enable the ADS to function as both a research device or as a spec grade DSR, depending on the password access you specify.
Rapid Temperature Changes, Easy Calibration
For the most demanding uses a high performance fluid circulator, the RTE-30M, replaces the RTE-111. This fluid circulator offers outstanding ramping (5ºC/min) in both heating and cooling modes, while still keeping the thermal stability and uniformity that the SHRP test specifications demand. A simple two-point calibration enables the user to exceed the SHRP specifications with typical stability of ±0.02ºC at any test temperature.
Research Windows Software Included
In addition to the standard pass/fail, true grading and strain sweep protocols, the user has complete oscillatory testing capabilities. This full research capability is built into each and every ADS. The philosophy at Bohlin is that software shouldn't cost an arm and a leg. You don't have to spend extra money to purchase software that enables you to configure the operation of the rheometer to your particular needs.
Precision Made Plates, Simple Cleanup
The ADS is made with such precision that the lower plates can be interchanged without repeating the gap setting procedure. This enables the user to load the sample outside the rheometer, and clean the sample on a hotplate, solvent free. The lower plates are aluminum for maximum heat transfer, but can be ordered with stainless steel inserts for maximum durability.
Service And Support
The best way to judge how well a company will support you isn't by the number of sales or service people, but by the reputation of the company. Malvern's reputation in the Asphalt industry for quality service and support is well known. You will see Malvern representatives at every major meeting or event in the industry, because we are committed to this business. We want to be the first to know what changes are in store for the future, so that we can help you meet the new challenges of this industry.
A Product For Every Segment In The Industry
Whether you are a paving contractor, an independent testing lab, DOT or major refinery research group, Bohlin has the instrument to meet your needs. The DSRIIM, DSRIIA and ADS are just the beginning of a complete line of products to meet your testing needs in the asphalt industry. Contact us to find out what's next.