Myzox AST-10 vs Infrared Thermometer for Asphalt Temperature Measurement Malaysia

 

When measuring asphalt temperature during road construction, contractors often have two common options: a penetration thermocouple thermometer or a non-contact infrared thermometer.

 

Both can measure temperature, but they do not measure asphalt in the same way.

 

The Myzox AST-10 Digital Asphalt Thermometer uses a Type-K thermocouple and can be paired with the SE-IN 200 mm needle probe, which is suitable for penetration measurement in asphalt.

 

An infrared thermometer, by comparison, generally measures the temperature of the exposed surface without inserting a probe into the material.

 

Understanding this difference is important when selecting temperature measurement equipment for asphalt paving, highway construction and road maintenance in Malaysia.

 

What Is the Main Difference?

 

The fundamental difference is the measurement location.

 

Myzox AST-10 with SE-IN:

Measures temperature by direct contact and penetration into the asphalt.

 

Infrared Thermometer:

Measures the exposed surface temperature without contact.

 

This means the two instruments may provide different readings because the asphalt surface and the material beneath it may not be at exactly the same temperature.

 

How Does the Myzox AST-10 Measure Asphalt?

 

The AST-10 supports Type-K thermocouple probes.

 

For asphalt applications, the Myzox SE-IN Needle Probe provides:

 

200 mm probe length

 

Penetration measurement

 

-50°C to +650°C measurement range

 

Suitability for asphalt measurement

 

The probe is inserted into the asphalt according to the appropriate measurement procedure.

 

Because the sensor makes direct contact with the material, the AST-10 can obtain a temperature reading from within the asphalt.

 

How Does an Infrared Thermometer Measure Asphalt?

 

An infrared thermometer detects infrared radiation emitted from a surface and converts this into a temperature reading.

 

No probe needs to be inserted.

 

This makes infrared measurement fast and convenient for checking exposed surface temperatures.

 

However, it is important to understand that an infrared thermometer does not measure temperature inside the asphalt layer.

 

Why Can Surface and Internal Asphalt Temperatures Differ?

 

Freshly laid asphalt begins losing heat to its surroundings.

 

The exposed surface is directly affected by conditions such as:

 

Wind

 

Ambient temperature

 

Rain

 

Moisture

 

Sun exposure

 

Time after paving

 

The asphalt beneath the surface may cool at a different rate.

 

Therefore, an infrared surface reading should not automatically be assumed to represent the internal temperature of the asphalt.

 

When Is a Penetration Thermometer Useful?

 

A penetration thermometer is particularly useful when the objective is to check temperature within the asphalt material.

 

Potential applications include:

 

Hot mix asphalt inspection

 

Road paving

 

Highway construction

 

Pavement resurfacing

 

Asphalt compaction monitoring

 

Road rehabilitation

 

Asphalt repair

 

QA/QC inspection

 

For these applications, the Myzox AST-10 with SE-IN probe provides direct contact temperature measurement.

 

When Is an Infrared Thermometer Useful?

 

An infrared thermometer can be useful when fast, non-contact surface temperature checks are required.

 

Potential advantages include:

 

Quick measurement

 

No physical penetration

 

Convenient scanning of multiple surface locations

 

Measurement from a short distance

 

Useful for identifying surface temperature differences

 

However, it should be selected with the understanding that it measures surface temperature.

 

Is One Method Better Than the Other?

 

Not necessarily.

 

The better method depends on what the contractor needs to measure.

 

If the requirement is:

 

“What is the asphalt surface temperature?”

 

A suitable surface-temperature instrument may be appropriate.

 

If the requirement is:

 

“What is the temperature within the asphalt material?”

 

A penetration thermocouple probe is the more relevant measurement method.

 

In some road construction applications, both types of measurement may provide useful information.

 

Myzox AST-10 vs Infrared Thermometer

 

FeatureMyzox AST-10 + SE-INInfrared ThermometerMeasurement MethodContactNon-contactMeasurement AreaWithin materialSurfaceProbe RequiredYesNoAsphalt PenetrationYesNoQuick Surface ScanNoYesDirect Contact MeasurementYesNoSuitable for Internal Asphalt CheckYesNoSurface MeasurementWith suitable surface probeYes

 

The appropriate choice should always be based on the project's measurement requirements.

 

What Is the Temperature Range of the AST-10?

 

The Myzox AST-10 main instrument supports Type-K thermocouple measurements from:

 

-200°C to +1,370°C

 

The actual usable temperature range depends on the connected probe.

 

For asphalt penetration measurement, the supplied SE-IN Needle Probe operates from:

 

-50°C to +650°C

 

Can AST-10 Measure Surface Temperature Too?

 

Yes, when used with the appropriate probe.

 

Myzox offers the optional SE-SU Surface Probe, with a measurement range of:

 

-20°C to +400°C

 

This means the AST-10 platform can support both penetration and contact surface measurements by changing the thermocouple probe.

 

Additional AST-10 Functions

 

The AST-10 also provides several useful field measurement functions:

 

MAX measurement

 

MIN measurement

 

Data Hold

 

Relative measurement mode

 

Type-K thermocouple compatibility

 

These functions can be useful for repeated temperature checks during asphalt paving operations.

 

Which Thermometer Should Road Contractors Buy?

 

Before purchasing a thermometer, ask four questions:

 

Do I need surface or internal asphalt temperature?

 

What temperature range do I expect?

 

Do I need a penetration probe?

 

Does the project specification require a particular measurement method?

 

For contractors requiring direct penetration measurement, the Myzox AST-10 with 200 mm SE-IN Needle Probe is a practical choice.

 

Can You Use Both Thermometers on a Road Project?

 

Yes, if both measurement types are useful for the project.

 

For example, a site team could use an infrared thermometer for quick surface checks and a penetration thermocouple thermometer when internal asphalt temperature measurement is required.

 

The two instruments should be considered complementary measurement methods rather than automatically interchangeable.

 

FAQ: Is an Infrared Thermometer Accurate for Asphalt?

 

An infrared thermometer can be suitable for asphalt surface temperature measurement when used correctly and within its specifications.

 

However, it does not measure temperature beneath the surface.

 

If internal asphalt temperature is required, a penetration probe should be considered.

 

FAQ: Why Use the Myzox AST-10 for Asphalt?

 

The AST-10 is designed for pavement temperature control and supports the Myzox SE-IN 200 mm needle probe, which is suitable for asphalt measurement.

 

This provides direct contact measurement within the asphalt material.

 

FAQ: Which Is Better for Asphalt QA/QC?

 

It depends on the measurement specified by the QA/QC procedure.

 

If penetration temperature is required, the AST-10 with SE-IN is appropriate.

 

If surface temperature is required, a suitable surface-temperature measurement method should be used.

 

Always follow the project's approved specifications and procedures.

 

Choosing Asphalt Temperature Equipment in Malaysia

 

Road contractors should avoid selecting a thermometer based only on speed or temperature range.

 

The first question should be: Where do I need to measure the temperature?

 

Surface and penetration measurements provide different information.

 

For contractors who need a Type-K penetration thermometer for hot mix asphalt, the Myzox AST-10 Digital Asphalt Thermometer with SE-IN 200 mm needle probe provides a practical field solution.

 

Myzox Authorized Distributor in Malaysia

 

MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd. is a Myzox Authorized Distributor in Malaysia, supplying Myzox surveying, civil engineering and road construction equipment.

 

Contact MTM Precision for product information, quotation and availability of the Myzox AST-10 Digital Asphalt Thermometer in Malaysia.

 

Contact MTM Precision

 

MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd.

Showroom & Service Centre

No. 29-1 & 29-2, Jalan Bandar 18,

Pusat Bandar Puchong,

47160 Puchong, Selangor, Malaysia.

 

Website: www.mtmpre.com.my

Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com

WhatsApp: +6016-6607346

 

Contact us for the Myzox AST-10 Digital Asphalt Thermometer Malaysia, asphalt temperature measurement equipment and road construction instruments.