Customer Case: Application of Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine

Customer Background

The customer is a third-party construction materials testing laboratory. The laboratory primarily serves local road construction contractors, concrete suppliers, and infrastructure engineering companies. Its core testing scope includes quality evaluation of aggregates such as crushed stone, basalt, and granite used in highway and civil engineering projects.

With the continuous increase in infrastructure development projects in California, the laboratory has experienced a significant rise in testing workload. As a result, higher requirements have been placed on equipment stability, repeatability, and compliance with international testing standards.

Key Challenges Faced by the Customer

Before upgrading to the new Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine, the laboratory encountered several practical issues during daily testing:

(1) Insufficient Test Consistency

The previous equipment had unstable rotational speed control, leading to noticeable variation in results for the same batch of samples.

(2) Difficulty in Standard Compliance Verification

Some older equipment did not fully align with ASTM procedural requirements, resulting in repeated verification requests during external audit reviews.

(3) Human Operation Deviation

The lack of fully automated timing and shutdown control meant that operator differences could influence test results.

(4) Frequent Maintenance and Downtime

Due to long-term usage, mechanical wear increased maintenance frequency, affecting overall laboratory efficiency and testing throughput.

Solution: Implementation of Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine

The customer ultimately selected our Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine for aggregate abrasion resistance evaluation.

The equipment simulates the impact and rolling friction of aggregates inside a rotating steel drum with steel balls, allowing accurate assessment of material durability under real-world traffic and load conditions.

Applicable Standards

The equipment complies with the following international testing standards:

ASTM C131 / C131M – Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine

ASTM C535 – Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Large-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine

AASHTO T96 – Standard Method of Test for Resistance to Abrasion of Small Size Coarse Aggregate by Use of the Los Angeles Machine

Implementation Results and Improvements

After the equipment was put into operation, the laboratory observed significant improvements in several areas:

(1) Improved Test Repeatability

More stable rotational control reduced data deviation between repeated tests of the same sample.

(2) Higher Audit Pass Rate

Full compliance with ASTM standards improved the acceptance rate of external audit reports.

(3) Standardized Testing Procedure

Automatic timing and shutdown functions reduced manual intervention and operator-related errors.

(4) Enhanced Operational Stability

The equipment supports continuous high-frequency testing, meeting the demands of increased workload.

Customer Feedback

The laboratory technical manager commented:

“We focus heavily on stability and compliance. After upgrading the equipment, the Los Angeles abrasion test results became much more consistent. Especially during third-party audits, data disputes were significantly reduced, and overall laboratory efficiency improved.”