The ATS Pressure Aging Vessel 3 (PAV3) introduces new technology and exclusive features while maintaining all of the characteristics that made the original ATS PAV reliable and efficient. Designed specifically to prepare specimens for tests developed by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), the PAV3 simulates in-service oxidative aging that occurs in asphalt binders during service and meets ASTM D6521, AASHTO R-28, and EN 14769 test standards as part of the PG grading according to Superpave. As the first PAV system to feature digital touchscreen technology and programmable test parameters, the PAV3 is unlike anything else currently on the market today.
Each PAV3 consists of a vertical pressure vessel enclosed in a stainless steel cabinet with encased band heaters, a precision sample holder for the simultaneous testing of ten specimens, a set of ten TFOT specimen trays, pressure and temperature measurement devices, and a specimen loading and unloading tool. Test interruption or data loss due to power failure is prevented through an optional battery backup system, and the PAV3’s network-ready modem allows users to monitor and regulate their equipment remotely using a computer, tablet, or smart phone.
A seven inch, user friendly touchscreen provides easy access to the PAV3’s programmable features. Temperature, pressure, and time data are collected throughout the aging process, and the PAV3 allows users to view data in real time from the touchscreen display in the form of raw data or graphs. Temperatures can be programmed and maintained from 50⁰C – 150⁰C, and test times may be programmed between one and ninety-nine hours. Users may also program a custom soak time from 0 to 4,320 minutes. Each PAV3 comes standard with eight different language options. At any time a language can be selected from English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Russian, Chinese, or Arabic from the controller itself or a connected remote device. The ability to customize each testing experience is completely unique to the PAV3 and allows greater freedom for a diverse range of research and development projects.
During operation, users are guided through each step by the prompts displayed on the PAV3 touchscreen. Once the PAV3 is set up and the bottled air is connected, the user begins the preheating process by entering their unique temperature specifications and pressing the “heat mode” button on the display. When the PAV3 has reached the desired temperature, the user loads the specimens, secures the lid, and utilizes the digital touchscreen to begin the aging process. The PAV3 will then recover to set point and start to soak, allowing the temperature to stabilize. When the user defined soak time has passed, the PAV3 will automatically pressurize and the samples will start the aging process. The PAV3 will depressurize once the aging process has completed, ending the testing sequence.
Upon completion of the aging process, a .csv file containing the test data is created and easily downloaded to a flash drive via the USB port on the front of the PAV3. Once downloaded, data can be charted and viewed in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet programs.
Through over fifty years of industry experience, Applied Test Systems has developed a proven line of trusted, reliable, and modern testing equipment. Contact our team of knowledgeable sales engineers today at +1-724-283-1212 and make the PAV3 a permanent part of your materials testing lab.