Paving, Sealing, and Repairs

Tel-Tru is your partner in temperature instruments for accurate monitoring of your equipment and HMA. Quality thermometers are essential to ensure the HMA temperature is accurately monitored during your project. Out-of-specification HMA can lead to additional and unnecessary rework and replacement costs, or costly project work stoppage.

Click on the links below to see products recommended for your application.
Please refer to your local and state guidelines to ensure all quality and safety regulations are met.

Thermometer for Ground and Paver Screed Temperature Check		View specs and purchase
Hand-Held Non-Contact Thermometer
-76°/1832°F	Tel-Fast Heavy Duty IR thermometer, Dual laser, 50:1 distance to spot ratio, IR range -76/1832°F, Thermocouple range -83/2552°F	QT425LCE	$306.38
	If you don't see what you're looking for, click here to configure other options.
Instruments for Hot Tar / Crack Sealer Trailer		View specs and purchase
Dial Thermometers
50/500°F	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 4" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33100464AKLAAAA	$64.69
	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 6" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33100664AKLAAAA	$64.69
	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 9" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33100964AKLAAAA	$64.69
	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 12" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33101264AKLAAAA	$75.92
	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 15" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33101564AKLAAAA	$86.50
	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 18" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33101864AKLAAAA	$96.34
	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 24" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33102464AKLAAAA	$115.18
	GT300 Back Connect 3" dial, 36" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	33103664AKLAAAA	$154.29
50/500°F	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 4" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39100464AKLAAAA	$128.79
	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 6" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39100664AKLAAAA	$128.79
	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 9" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39100964AKLAAAA	$128.79
	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 12" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39101264AKLAAAA	$140.02
	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 15" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39101564AKLAAAA	$150.60
	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 18" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39101864AKLAAAA	$160.44
	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 24" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39102464AKLAAAA	$179.28
	BC350R Bottom Connect 3" dial, 36" stem, .250" diameter blunt, 50/500°F, ½" NPT connection	39103664AKLAAAA	$218.39
	If you don't see what you're looking for, click here to configure other options.
Industrial/Hydraulic Pressure Gauge
0-100psi	Model 33, 0-60psi, 2-1/2" dial, 316SS, 1/4" NPT, lower connection	2533SS4L1D6AT	$25.75
	Model 33, 0-100psi, 2-1/2" dial, 316SS, 1/4" NPT, lower connection	2533SS4L1D9AT	$25.75
	Model 33, 0-200psi, 2-1/2" dial, 316SS, 1/4" NPT, lower connection	2533SS4L1E5AT	$25.75
	If you don't see what you're looking for, click here to configure other options.

When temperatures are too high or too low

Consequences:	Potential Costs:
Mix is too viscous, leading to poor quality and rework Combustion Reduced durability of pavement	Time and labor of reprocessing a batch of material Time and labor of removal/replacement of poor quality asphalt Catastrophic cost of equipment/facilities damage and potential loss of life Impact on job schedules Loss of profits Increased maintenance/repairs

Quality

There are three temperature zones referred to in asphalt mixes.

In the first zone, or Hot Zone, the asphalt mix is above 250°F and relatively stable. This is the desired temperature for compaction.
In the second zone, or Tender Zone, between 190°F and 250°F, compaction is not recommended because rolling and vibrating may cause damage to the mat.
In the third zone, or Cool Zone, below 190°F, it is the ideal temperature for finish rolling.

Most applications require the ambient temperature to be at least 50 F and rising while the asphalt is being installed and compacted.

Ground temperature plays a factor, should be at least 50°F
High winds and rain can reduce temperatures prematurely
Read more here about how to maintain quality in cooler temperatures.

Contractors will generally use an infrared thermometer to measure ground temperature. Read more in-depth about ground temperature here.

Summary of Important Temperature Ranges

The material coming out of the plant should be 300-350°F.
The material in the truck should be 275-300°F upon arrival at a job site.
The screed should be measuring at least 300°F for the material to slide through easily. It should be hotter than the material that is being placed into the paver to allow for smooth easy flow.
Initial rolling temperature of the mix should be above 250°F.
A mix temperature falling below 190°F before the final compaction will be too stiff to compact properly.

Quality of Product

No pavement is immune to cracking and if left untreated, may lead to more significant problems, ranging from potholes to sub-base failure. Read more in Asphalt Pro Magazine here.