• Methods of increasing of softening point—ring and ball (R&B) method, according to EN 13179-1 (delta ring and ball), and similar methods
• Rigden’s method, according to EN 1097-4, and Rigden-Anderson’s method
• The method of increasing mortar viscosity
The two European tests cited in EN 13043 (EN 13179-1 and EN 1097-4) are carried out for an added filler and the 0/0.125 mm fraction sieved out of the fine aggregate (or an aggregate of continuous grading with D less than or equal to 8 mm) that contains more than 10% dust. Let us dedicate some time to discussing those tests since understanding them will help determine the expected values of a good filler.
8.3.3.1 Method of a Softening Point Difference
8.3.3.1.1 Method EN 13179-1 (Delta Ring and Ball)
What is delta ring and ball (AR&B)? According to EN 13179-1, it is an increase in the R&B softening point of a binder-filler mixture consisting of 37.5 parts of filler and 62.5 parts of binder by volume, related to the R&B softening point of the pure binder used for testing. The part of the filler passing through the 0.125 mm sieve and, according to EN 1259, road binder type 70/100 are used for testing. Measurements are taken according to EN 1427. The final result is denoted AR&B (or in simplified terms, delta).
European countries, which created their requirements for fillers according to the common EN 13043 standard, mostly require a class AR&B8/25, which signifies a stiffening power between 8°C and 25°C.
