Preparation and properties of bitumen modified by EVA graft copolymer

This paper presents a laboratory study of modified bitumen containing ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and ethylene vinyl acetate grafted maleic anhydride (EVA-g-MAH) copolymers. When the different polymers were added, the physical properties of modified bitumens, such as softening point, ductility at low temperature and storage stability at high temperature are changed. The polymer modified bitumens (PMBs) were analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal characterizations showed that the main decomposition stage refers to samples with modifiers exhibited a slight increase in thermal stability and the sample with the highest stability was EVA-g-MAH PMBs. FTIR analysis suggested that it is difficult to prove the EVA-g-MAH has reacted with the functional group in bitumen by FTIR spectrum. The dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests reported that added content of EVA-g-MAH has great effect on the rheological properties of the binder and its high temperature performance was improved while its temperature susceptibility was reduced in compare to EVA modified bitumens binder.     

Morphology and image analysis of polymer modified bitumens

This paper presents a laboratory study of styrene butadiene styrene (SBS); ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA) based polymer modified bitumen samples (PMBs). The PMBs have been produced by mixing a 50/70 penetration grade unmodified (base) bitumen with copolymers at different proportions. The fundamental characteristics of the PMBs have been determined using conventional methods. The morphology of the samples as well as the percent area distribution of polymers throughout the base bitumen have been characterized and determined by means of fluorescent light optic microscopy and Qwin-Plus image analysis software, respectively. The results indicate that the fundamental properties and morphology of the modified bitumens are dependent on the type of polymer and polymer content. Polymer modification improves the conventional properties of the base bitumen such as penetration, softening point, temperature susceptibility. At low polymer contents, the samples reveal the existence of dispersed polymer particles in a continuous bitumen phase, whereas at high polymer contents a continuous polymer phase is observed. Moreover it is found out that a relationship exists between the polymer content and percent area distribution of polymers.     

Evaluation of the improved properties of SBR/weathered coal modified bitumen containing carbon black

One problem of polymer modified bitumens (PMBs) is the poor compatibility between polymer and bitumens. In this paper, the improved properties of bitumen binders containing various kinds of additive including styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), weathered coal (WC) and carbon black (CB) under different concentrations are investigated. To assess the effects of the type and concentration of the additive on classical properties of bitumen binders, the softening points, penetration, penetration index (PI), ductility and Fraass breaking points before and after RTFOT aging are tested. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) of these binders before and after ageing had been characterized by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) using a combination of temperature and frequency sweeps. With higher polymer concentrations, it produced a highly elastic network which increases the viscosity, complex modulus and elastic response of the PMBs, particularly at high service temperatures. However, ageing of PMBs tended to result in a decrease in the elastic response of the modified bitumens. It also has been confirmed that the morphology observed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the compatibility among SBR, WC and bitumen. The storage stability of binder was also improved significantly.     

Effect of bitumen wax on asphalt mixture performance

This paper mainly deals with waxes which are naturally present in bitumens, and does not include synthetic waxes that sometimes are proposed as bitumen additives. The main objectives were to study the rheological effect of bitumen waxes and the impact of waxy bitumens on asphalt mixture performance, such as rutting, low temperature cracking, and water sensitivity. In the rheological characterisation of bitumens, a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR), as well as various conventional methods, were used. For asphalt mixtures, rutting, low temperature cracking and water sensitivity were evaluated by wheel tracking test (WTT), thermal stress restrained specimen test (TSRST), and modified Lottman test, respectively. It was found that, at high service temperatures and within the same bitumen grade, differences in rutting between the asphalt mixtures made with waxy and non-waxy bitumens were relatively small. However, the presence of wax in bitumen resulted in physical hardening at low temperatures. Using waxy bitumens, asphalt mixtures tended to show higher fracture temperature. As regards water sensitivity, no effect of the wax content in bitumen was seen. The water sensitivity was however heavily influenced by type of aggregate and to less extent by bitumen type. The present study implies that the effect of wax on bitumen quality and asphalt mixture performance depends on many factors. Those may include the chemical composition of the bitumen and particularly the nature of the wax.     

Effect of wax on basic and rheological properties of bitumen with similar Penetration-grades

This paper presents the results of a study on the wax content, the basic and rheological properties of seven unmodified bitumens with Penetration-grades 60–70 and the effect of wax on these bitumens. Among the bitumens, one (currently used in Hong Kong) was supplied by a manufacturer in Singapore while the other six bitumens were obtained from manufacturers in Mainland China. The results of the basic tests show that all bitumens are Penetration-grade 60–70 and have similar basic properties. The test results comply with the Hong Kong bitumen specification. However, the wax contents of some of the bitumens manufactured from crude oil deposited in China are relatively high. The test results obtained by the dynamic shear rheometer further indicate that the bitumens with low wax content performed better than those with high wax content under a high temperature environment. The test results exhibit relatively good correlation between the wax contents and the rheological properties of the bitumens. Therefore, standards and procedures should be established in Hong Kong to specify requirements on wax content or Performance-grade for bitumen used in road paving.     

Influence of morphology on high-temperature rheological properties of bitumen modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer

Different microstructures of the same polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) were obtained by subjecting the bitumen modified with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymer to isothermal annealing at various temperatures. The effects of the morphology on the rheological properties of SBS-modified bitumen were investigated within the high-temperature range. The PMB microstructures were quantitatively evaluated using image analysis. A dynamic shear rheometer was used to measure the rheological parameters of the PMB samples and perform the multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test. A quantitative basis could be established on which to discuss the relationship between the PMB morphology and rheology. The image analysis indicated that conditioning by isothermal annealing evidently led to a difference in the microstructure of the samples. Variation of the thermal history is demonstrated to be a practical way to vary the morphology of the PMB with the same raw materials and formulation. Compared with the two-phase morphology, the single-phase microstructure tended to have a narrower linear viscoelastic (LVE) region of the PMB. Within the LVE region, especially at low frequencies, the homogenous PMB can store more energy when experiencing loadings and is more elastic. Outside the LVE region, based on the MSCR test results, the homogenous morphology could assist in reaching a higher percentage of strain recovery after the creep period.     

Predicting stripping and moisture induced damage of asphalt concrete prepared with polymer modified bitumen and hydrated lime

Many highway agencies have been experiencing premature failures that decrease the performance and service life of pavements. One of the major causes of premature pavement failure is the moisture damage of the asphalt concrete layer. Many variables affect the amount of water damage in the asphalt concrete layer such as the type of aggregate, bitumen, mixture design and construction, level of traffic, environment, and the additive properties that are introduced to the bitumen, aggregate or bitumen–aggregate mixture.This study is aimed to determine the effect of additives such as hydrated lime as well as elastomeric (SBS) and plastomeric (EVA) polymer modified bitumen (PMB) on the stripping potential and moisture susceptibility characteristics of hot mix asphalt (HMA) containing different types of aggregate (basalt–limestone aggregate mixture and limestone aggregate). The stripping properties and moisture susceptibility characteristics of the samples have been evaluated by means of captured images and the Nicholson stripping test (ASTM D 1664) as well as the modified Lottman test (AASHTO T 283), respectively.The results indicated that hydrated lime addition and polymer modification increased the resistance of asphalt mixtures to the detrimental effect of water. Moreover, it was found out that samples prepared with SBS PMB exhibited more resistance to water damage compared to samples prepared with EVA PMB.     

Laboratory study on the low temperature physical hardening of conventional and polymer modified bitumens

Physical hardening is a reversible process that may influence the long-term performance of a material. In this paper, physical hardening of five unmodified and 35 polymer modified bitumens was studied using a bending beam rheometer (BBR). The modified binders were prepared by mixing 3, 6 or 9% styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), styrene–ethylene–butylene–styrene (SEBS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or ethylene butyl acrylate (EBA) polymers with different base bitumens. The binders were isothermally stored at low temperatures (−15, −25 and −35°C) for different times ranging from 0.5 to 32 h. The results indicated that physical hardening significantly influenced the creep response of the binders, and the hardening index and horizontal shift factor were strong functions of isothermal storage temperature. Unlike the shift factor, the hardening index did not always increase with decreasing storage temperature. At a given storage temperature, a statistical correlation was observed between the two parameters. It was also shown that degree and kinetics of physical hardening were dependent on the base bitumens, and in most cases, the effect of polymer modification was insignificant.     

Rheological effects of commercial waxes and polyphosphoric acid in bitumen 160/220 – high and medium temperature performance

The effects of adding three commercial waxes and a polyphosphoric acid to three bitumens of 160/220 penetration grade were studied using different types of laboratory equipment, such as Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Force Ductilometer (FD) as well as equipment for determining conventional parameters like penetration, softening point and Fraass breaking point. The paper deals with effects at medium and high in-service temperatures likely to affect the rutting performance of an asphalt concrete pavement. The results show that magnitude and type of effect on bitumen rheology depend on the bitumen as well as type and amount of additive used. Bitumen composition was found to be of decisive importance. Adding polyethylene wax or polyphosphoric acid especially to a non-waxy bitumen, showed considerable positive effects on the rheological behaviour at medium and higher temperatures.     

SBS对基质沥青低温性能改善效果研究

通常认为SBS可以同时改善基质沥青的高、低温性能。以三种常用的国产沥青和一种进口沥青作为基质沥青,采用四种不同的SBS对其进行改性,分别制得成品SBS改性沥青。运用SHRP试验方法中的弯曲梁流变仪(BBR)分别对制得的这些SBS改性沥青的RTFO／PAV残留物的流变特性进行了试验研究。结果表明,用物理意义上的共存共混方法制备得到的SBS改性沥青,其低温等级基本保持在基质沥青的低温等级上,即从流变学的意义上来说,SBS对基质沥青低温抗裂性能的改善效果仍值得探讨。     

Investigation of effects of Cocamide Diethanolamide chemical on physical and rheological properties of bituminous binder

In this study, bituminous binder was modified with Cocamide Diethanolamide chemical, a non-ionic surfactant, and the physical and rheological properties of modified binders were investigated. In addition, Cocamide Diethanolamide has been used for the first time to modify bituminous binder, and this situation makes the study distinctive. Bituminous binder was modified more than once with the chemical by changing modification parameters and using certain additive ratios (1%, 3%, and 5%). The effects of different modification parameters and chemical additive on modified samples were investigated with conventional bitumen tests (softening point, penetration, ductility) and Superpave tests (rotational viscometer, rolling thin film oven test, pressure aging vessel, dynamic shear rheometer, bending beam rheometer). In addition, the structural characteristics of the reference binder and modified samples were examined by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The examinations showed that Cocamide Diethanolamide softens bituminous binder and lowers processing temperatures. In addition, compared to reference binder, rutting resistances of modified bituminous binders decreased with the increase of additive ratio. However, modification with Cocamide Diethanolamide increased the resistance to fatigue cracks and thermal cracks.     

Effect of ageing on bitumen chemistry and rheology

Effect of ageing on bitumen chemistry and rheology was studied. Seven bitumens were aged according to the thin film oven test (TFOT) and the rolling thin film oven test (RTFOT). The binders were characterised using infrared spectroscopy, chromatography and dynamic mechanical analysis. Statistical correlation between different chemical parameters, as well as between chemical and rheological parameters, was examined. The relationship between TFOT and RTFOT was also investigated. It was observed that ageing influenced bitumen chemistry and rheology significantly. However, chemical and rheological changes were generally not consistent, and consequently, ageing susceptibility of bitumens may be ranked differently when different evaluation methods are used. Regardless of the type of the parameters measured, a strong correlation was observed between TFOT and RTFOT, and the two ageing procedures show similar severity.     

Effects of nanoclay on rheological properties of bitumen binder

Nanoclays are the new generation of processed clays of interest in a wide range of high performance composites. In other words, nanoclay is defined as clay that can be modified to make the clay complexes compatible with organic monomers and polymers. Here, it can be said that the polymeric nanocomposites are among the most exciting and promising classes of materials discovered recently. A number of physical properties can be enhanced successfully when as a polymer is modified with small amount of nanoclay on condition that the clay is dispersed at nanoscopic level. This research has accomplished a comparative rheological test on the unmodified and nanoclay modified bitumen. For that matter, so, two types of nanoclay were used: nanofil-15 and cloisite-15A. The nanostructure exfoliation of nanoclay platelets in bitumen has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the present research, although the empirical rheological test on bitumen are penetration, softening point, ductility and ageing effect, the fundamental rheological test by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) is conducted on modified and unmodified bitumen. Test results show that while nanoclay changes rheological properties of bitumen and increases stiffness, it also decreases angle phase and improves ageing resistances, as well.     

Analysis of the effect of wax content on bitumen under performance grade classification

This paper describes an analysis of the effect of wax content on bitumen under performance grade (PG) classification. Wax content affects the performance and rheological behavior of bitumen. Bituminous mixtures with bitumen of high wax content tend to become very soft at high temperatures leading to rutting problem on pavement. Also the rheological behavior of bitumen has a great influence on the behavior of bituminous mixtures.To address the potential adverse effect of wax on bitumen, countries in Europe limit the wax content to 2.2% (BS EN 12606-1). In Mainland China, the standard (JTG F40-2004) classifies bitumen into three grades (Grades A, B and C). Grade A, with wax content below 2.2%, is used for highway pavement construction. Grades B and C, with wax content limits of 3.0% and 4.5% respectively, can only be used on roads with relatively lower traffic. The current binder specifications in Hong Kong Special Administration Region is based on penetration testing, which does not properly account for pavement performance. This paper assesses the effects of wax content and the rheological properties of seven types of bitumens and provides the basis for a performance grading binder standard for Hong Kong.     

Rheological properties and storage stability of bitumen/SBS/montmorillonite composites

Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene triblock copolymer is commonly used for modifying physical, mechanical and rheological properties of bitumen. Because of the poor compatibility between SBS and bitumen, SBS modified bitumen is not storage stable at high temperature. To obtain more compatibility between SBS and bitumen, several methods have been suggested. In this study, organophilic montmorillonite/SBS modified bitumen mixtures were prepared by melt intercalated blending. Physical and rheological properties of polymer modified bitumen were compared before and after adding nanoclay to the bitumen. Results showed that the presence of nanoclay improves the storage stability of PMB significantly without adverse effect on other properties of it. The structure of OMMT/SBS/bitumen blend was characterized by XRD. The spectra indicated that proper dispersion of OMMT in SBS led to a homogenous blend which is named exfoliated structure. The result of storage stability test showed that the difference in softening point was in good accordance with ASTM standard limitation which means that OMMT can improve the storage stability of PMB. Also morphological analysis confirmed storage stability results.     

Aqueous leaching of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from bitumen and asphalt.

The application of bitumen in, e.g. asphalt roads, roofs and hydraulic applications will lead to the leaching of compounds from the bitumen/asphalt into the environment. Because polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are present in bitumen, static and dynamic leach tests have been performed to study the leaching behaviour of this class of compounds. Nine petroleum bitumens covering a representative range of commercially available products and one asphalt made from one of the bitumens have been tested in a static leach test. The asphalt has been also subjected to a dynamic leach test. The main conclusions are that a 30h dynamic leach test is sufficient to determine the equilibrium concentration that will be reached after bitumen or asphalt has been in contact with the water for more than 3-6 days. As an alternative to performing a leach test, this concentration can be calculated from the PAH concentrations in the bitumen, and their distribution coefficients, as calculated here, or from their aqueous solubilities. The equilibrium PAH concentrations in the leach water from bitumens stay well below the surface water limits that exist in several EEC-countries and are also more than an order of magnitude lower than the current EEC limits for potable water.     

石油沥青油毡的耐低温性能

讨论了油毡的耐低温性能,石汕沥青改性的技术路线。介绍了丁苯橡胶改性沥青油毡的研究及其技术性能,指出今后在寒冷地医防水工程中应大力推广应用改性沥青油毡。     

Effect of filler on low temperature physical hardening of bitumen

Laboratory investigations of low temperature physical hardening of bitumen using a Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) are described. The study encompasses five bitumens, three conditions with regard to additives and three testing temperatures (−15, −25 and −30°C). As additives, two fillers, hydrated lime and calcium carbonate, were used. The effect of the fillers on the isothermal low temperature hardening was evaluated with the aid of a physical hardening index. The viscoelastic nature of the bitumens and bitumen/filler mixtures was investigated utilising the Burger model, and the Burger parameters were used to calculate dissipation energy ratios (dissipated energy over stored energy) in each BBR test. The results obtained did not indicate any significant effect of the fillers on low temperature physical hardening. Analyses of the dissipation energy ratio showed a considerable capacity for energy dissipation, even at a temperature as low as −30°C. With few exceptions, more energy was dissipated than stored during a BBR test. It appears that the dissipation energy ratio is not necessarily related to the stiffness of the binder.     

A model for dynamic creep evaluation of SBS modified HMA mixtures

The specimens, according to the Marshall Stability testing procedure, of hot mix asphalt (HMA) containing bitumen modified with styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) have been constructed in the laboratory and tested under dynamic loading for permanent deformation using Suleyman Demirel University Asphalt Tester equipment (SDU-Asphalt Tester). Analysis of data shows that the permanent deformation of the samples may be modeled in terms of the specimen’s characteristics in a very satisfactory manner. Benefits of adding styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) in variant quantities and in variant types of additive to asphalt cement (AC-60/70) were investigated. Initial research was done to determine the physical properties of asphalt cement and modifiers. Fifteen asphalt binder recipes were prepared with two types of gradation, six different contents of bitumen, four different contents of polymer, three different types of polymer. After that, Marshall samples were prepared by using the modified and unmodified control asphalt binders. The results of investigation indicate that asphalt mixtures modified by any SBS additive gives the best permanent deformation resistance in the tests carried out in this study, so that, this modification increases physical and mechanical properties of asphalt binder. In this study, total deformation of each sample was calculated using a newly developed equation containing variables of mixture characteristics. In addition to these, to develop a model that could fit the creep curve a new logarithmic model derived from first 100 preconditioning loading was developed instead of power law function model for first stage of permanent deformation curves.     

用改性弹性体改性沥青研究

SBS热塑性弹性体是目前世界上改性沥青用量最大的聚合物改性剂。但也存在某些不足,如改性沥青加工过程中的温度老化、贮存稳定性及在紫外线作用下降解加速材料老化等问题。用SBS的改性产物SBS-IP和SBS-TP改性沥青,可基本解决这些问题。着重介绍了用SBS-IP改性弹性体改性沥青的研究过程与改性机理。