Test Methods and Specifications
- Publication no: ATM-457-25
- Published: 9 May 2025
- Edition: 1.0
- PDF (free) Download
This test method sets out the procedure for assessing the potential microplastic release of plastic-modified bituminous mixes.
This test method is applicable to bituminous mixes modified with thermoplastic polymers, such as poly(ethylene) (PE), poly(propylene) (PP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), poly(amide) 6/6 (PA 6/6) and their blends recycled from industrial and/or post-consumer commingled streams. Bituminous mixes modified with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) are excluded from this test method.
This test method is intended to quantify the release of microplastics from plastic-modified asphalt mixes upon abrasion to assess their suitability as asphalt road construction material. Note that details of the optimisation of the method are available in AP-R663-21 Use of Road-grade Recycled Plastics for Sustainable Asphalt Pavements: Final Performance and Environmental Assessment Part A.
This test method can also be downloaded as a Word document.
- 1. Preface
- 2. Scope
- 3. References
- 4. Equipment
- 4.1 Sample Preparation
- 4.2 Abrasion Test
- 4.3 Microplastics Extraction
- 5. Procedure
- 5.1 Sample Preparation
- 5.2 Abrasion test
- 5.3 Microplastics Extraction
- 5.3.1 Collection of residues
- 5.3.2 Dissolution of bitumen
- 5.3.3 Density separation of microplastics and aggregates
- 5.3.4 Calculations
- 6. Report