When the extracted aggregate is the result of the ignition method (T308), the mass used shall agree with the mass of the aggregate remaining after ignition within 0.1%; if the variation exceeds 0.1%, the results of the test should not be used for acceptance.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. True only if the sample is inert
• D. False if the sample is coarse

Answer: (A)

In the ignition method for determining asphalt content, the mass of the sample before ignition must match the mass of the recovered aggregate after ignition within 0.1%. This tight tolerance is essential because the calculation of asphalt content relies on the difference between the original mass and the mass after ignition. If the two masses differ by more than 0.1%, it signals problems such as incomplete ignition (some asphalt not burned off), loss of material during heating, moisture changes, or measurement error, which would make the asphalt content result unreliable for acceptance. When the variation exceeds 0.1%, the test results should not be used for acceptance.