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.     

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.     

Rheological evaluation of ethylene vinyl acetate polymer modified bitumens

The morphological, thermal and fundamental rheological characteristics of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer modified bitumens are studied in this paper. Nine plastomeric EVA polymer modified bitumens (PMBs) have been produced by laboratory mixing bitumen from three sources with an EVA copolymer at three polymer contents. The morphology, thermal properties and rheological characteristics of the EVA PMBs have been analysed using fluorescent microscopy, differential scanning calorometry and dynamic mechanical analysis using a dynamic shear rheometer, respectively. The results of the investigation indicate that EVA polymer modification increases binder stiffness and elasticity at high service temperatures and low loading frequencies with the degree of modification being a function of bitumen source, bitumen–polymer compatibility and polymer concentration. Filler type modification is evident at low temperatures, temperatures above the melting temperature of the semi-crystalline EVA copolymer and for those modified binders that do not exhibit a dominant polymer network.     

Technical study on the Iranian Gilsonite as an additive for modification of asphalt binders used in pavement construction

In this research, effects of the Iranian natural bitumen (gilsonite) on two types of asphalt binders produced in the country with the performance grades of PG58-22 and PG64-22 were studied according to superpave performance grading (PG) system. Results of conducted tests on the modified asphalt binders with 4%, 8% and 12% gilsonite show that although addition of gilsonite to base bitumens can cause improvement in high performance temperature (HT) of mentioned bitumens, it has no positive impact on low performance temperature (LT) of them.     

SBS改性沥青热储存及运输过程中的降解研究

通过室内模拟低空气浓度(或相对绝氧)环境下苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯嵌段共聚物(SBS)改性沥青的热降解过程,测试和分析了不同条件下SBS改性沥青的性能.结果表明:在热降解过程中,SBS改性沥青低温抗裂能力随时间的延长或温度的升高而逐渐降低;与低空气浓度下热降解对SBS改性沥青微观结构的影响相比,SBS改性沥青在高空气浓度下热降解过程中有更高的羰基和更低丁二烯含量.在生产、储存和运输SBS改性沥青时,需要充分考虑时间、温度以及空气浓度对其性能的影响.     

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.     

Low-temperature properties of styrene–butadiene–styrene polymer modified bitumens

Low-temperature properties of the modified bitumens containing styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) polymers were investigated using conventional methods, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and bending beam rheometer (BBR). Effects of the characteristics of base bitumens and polymers and the proportion of the components on these properties were studied. The results indicated that SBS polymers improved low-temperature properties of bitumens. The degree of improvement generally increased with SBS content and were influenced slightly by SBS structure. The study also showed a statistically linear relationships between different low-temperature parameters.     

The effects of using lime and styrene–butadiene–styrene on moisture sensitivity resistance of hot mix asphalt

This study focuses on determining the effects of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) and using mineral filler with lime on various properties of hot mix asphalt especially moisture damage resistance. The asphalt cement was modified with 2%, 4% and 6% SBS. The lime treated mixtures containing 2% lime by weight of the total aggregate as filler. The physical and mechanical properties of polymer modified binder and binder–aggregate mixes were evaluated through their fundamental engineering properties such as dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), rotational viscosimeter (RV) for binders, Marshall stability, stiffness modulus, indirect tensile strength and moisture susceptibility for mixes. The retained Marshall stability (RMS) and tensile strength ratio (TSR) values were calculated to determine the resistance of mixtures to moisture damage. To investigate clearly the effective of SBS and lime seven freeze–thaw cycle was applied to specimens at TSR test. The results indicate that application of SBS modified binders and lime as mineral filler one by one improves the stability, stiffness and strength characteristic of hot mix asphalt. According to retained Marshall stability it is concluded that addition of only 2% lime have approximately same effect with addition of 6% SBS. Using lime together within the SBS modified mixes exhibit high accordance and exacerbates the improvement of properties. Specimens containing both 2% lime and 6% SBS, have the highest stiffness modulus which is 2.3 times higher than those of the control mixture and showed the least reduction in tensile strength ratio while maintaining 0.70 tensile strength ratio after seven freeze–thaw cycle.     

The research for high-performance SBR compound modified asphalt

The high-performance SBR compound modified asphalt can be made with the addition of polyphosphoric acid (PPA), styrene–butadiene rubber (SBR) and sulfur. The effects of PPA, SBR, sulfur on the physical properties, the dynamic rheological properties, the high-temperature storage stabilities, the morphologies and the internal structures of asphalts were studied, respectively. The high-temperature storage stability of SBR-modified asphalt can be improved significantly with the addition of PPA and sulfur by the gelation effect and the dynamical vulcanization. The addition of SBR to the pure PPA modified asphalt improved the low-temperature physical properties with unfavourable effects on the resistance to rutting. The addition of sulfur to the PPA/SBR-modified asphalt improved the rheological properties and the adhesion of modified binders to stone matrix. The optimal proportion of PPA, SBR, sulfur can improve the properties of asphalt roundly.     

Low-temperature tensile behaviour of asphalt binders: Application of loading time–temperature–conditioning time superposition principle

Thermal cracking of bituminous layers is one of the main modes of failure for asphalt pavements. This distress is highly related to the rheological properties of asphalt binders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the low-temperature behaviour of asphalt binders by performing Direct Tension Tests (DTTs) according to Superpave specification. The DTT results were analyzed and compared in terms of trend of stress–strain curve instead of conventional failure stress or failure strain values. Through the analysis of stress–strain diagram, it was possible to evaluate the effects of temperature, elongation rate and conditioning time on the rheological properties of binders. Particular attention was paid to the conditioning time variable as it was observed that the stiffness of the binder changes with time when it is stored isothermally at low temperature due to the physical hardening phenomenon.To this end, a modified superposition effects principle, which also includes the conditioning time in addition to the temperature and elongation rate variable, has been proposed. Finally, this principle allowed the authors to find an analytical model capable of describing the rheological properties of asphalt binders as functions of the three considered test variables.     

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.     

聚合物改性沥青低温性能指标研究

研究了4类聚合物改性沥青的常规性能与低温流变性能,并对其混合料进行了低温弯曲试验.结合灰色关联理论,对聚合物改性沥青的多个低温性能指标与混合料低温弯曲试验结果进行了相关性分析.结果表明:聚合物改性沥青的玻璃态转变温度、低温流变性能指标、低温测力延度试验的黏韧性指标与沥青混合料低温弯曲试验结果均具有良好的关联性,其中的玻璃态转变温度关联度最高,能较好地反映聚合物改性沥青的低温性能,其次是低温流变指标和黏韧性指标.     

Properties of polymer-modified mortars using epoxy and acrylic emulsions

Water based polymer systems are often used for improvement in the properties of plain cement mortar or concrete. Presently, latexes of a single or combinations of polymers like polyvinyl acetate, copolymers of vinyl acetate–ethylene, styrene–butadiene, styrene–acrylic, and acrylic and styrene butadiene rubber emulsions are generally used. One of the limitations of these polymer systems is that they may re-emulsify in humid alkaline conditions. To overcome this problem, an epoxy emulsion based polymer system has been developed. In this paper the properties of the cement mortar modified with this newly developed epoxy emulsion are compared with those of the acrylic-modified mortar. The results showed that the mortars with the newly developed system have superior strength properties and better resistance to the penetration of chloride ions and carbon dioxide.     

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.     

不同试验方法的老化沥青疲劳性能研究

通过旋转薄膜烘箱试验(RTFOT)和压力老化试验(PAV),对70~#基质沥青、苯乙烯-丁二烯-苯乙烯嵌段共聚物(SBS)改性沥青、高黏沥青(HV)和基于化学改性原理的SBS/橡胶复合改性沥青(SRC)进行短期老化和长期老化,采用温度扫描试验、时间扫描试验、多重应力蠕变恢复(MSCR)试验和线性振幅扫描(LAS)试验对4种沥青的疲劳性能进行了研究.结果表明:SRC沥青的疲劳性能和抗老化能力最佳;温度扫描试验不能很好地区分不同沥青的疲劳性能差异;时间扫描试验可有效表征4种沥青的疲劳性能,但其耗时较长;MSCR试验中出现了平均弹性恢复率(R_(0.1)和R_(3.2))在长期老化之后大于短期老化之后的情况,其指标规律性和适用的沥青范围尚不明确;LAS试验可以表征沥青在重复荷载作用下的累积损伤发展过程,得到的损伤特征曲线和疲劳方程可有效评价各种沥青的疲劳性能.     

Storage stability and compatibility of asphalt binder modified by SBS graft copolymer

The performance of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer modified asphalt binder at high temperature can be improved significantly with the addition of SBS-g-M grafted with vinyl monomer under γ-rays irradiation. The dynamic mechanical properties of SBS modify asphalts binder before and after graft has been characterized by use of dynamic shear rheometer. It has been found that the added content of SBS-g-M 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 with SBS modified asphalts binder. It also has been confirmed that the morphology observed by fluorescence microscopy revealed the compatibility between SBS-g-M and asphalt and the storage stability of binder was improved significantly compared with SBS modified asphalt binder. As a consequence, the use of SBS grafted with polar monomer can be considered a suitable alternative for modification of binder in pavement.     

Influence of aging on the evolution of structure,morphology and rheology of base and SBS modified bitumen

The influence of aging on the evolution of structure, morphology and rheology of base bitumen and SBS modified binders was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), respectively. Two laboratory simulation aging methods, named standard rolling thin film oven (RTFO) test and pressure aging vessel (PAV) test were applied in this study. The aging temperature of PAV was selected at 60 °C, which is considered to be consistent with the real high temperature within an asphalt pavement in the field. After aging, it was found that more carbonyl and sulphoxide groups but less chain segments of butadiene were available. With the oxidation of base bitumen and the degradation of SBS segments, obvious asphaltene micelles appeared in both binders, consistent with the changes of softening point and rheology of base bitumen and SBS modified binders.     

聚合物裹砂改性水泥砂浆的性能研究

采用一种新的工艺,即聚合物裹砂工艺配制丙苯胶乳（Ａｃｒｏｎａｌ Ｓ－４００）和丁苯胶乳（Ｓｔｙｒｏｆａｎ ＳＤ６２２Ｓ）聚合物改性水泥砂浆,并对其进行了物理力学性能的测试。结果显示,用聚合物裹砂工艺配制的水泥砂浆的性能优于相同聚合物掺量下用普通工艺配制的水泥砂浆的性能,而且在较低聚合物掺量的条件下能达到较好的力学性能。丁苯胶乳可明显改善新拌水泥砂浆的流动性;丙苯胶乳本身虽无减水作用,但在加入少量改性剂后便能获得与不掺聚合物新拌水泥砂浆相同的流动度。     

Effects of thermal oxidative ageing on dynamic viscosity,TG/DTG,DTA and FTIR of SBS- and SBS/sulfur-modified asphalts

Thermal oxidative ageing as an inevitable process in the practical application of road asphalt has a great effect on the properties of polymer-modified asphalts (PMAs). In this article, the influences of short-term and long-term thermal oxidative ageing on the dynamic viscosity, thermal stabilities, and infrared spectra of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)- and storage-stable SBS/sulfur-modified asphalts were studied respectively. Although the addition of sulfur improved the dynamic viscosity and the thermal stability of SBS-modified asphalt significantly due to the formation of a chemically crosslinked polymer network structure, the improved properties declined evidently after ageing and the losses of properties became very severe with the ageing aggravated and the binder with sulfur showed a visible viscous behaviour compare with the corresponding binder without sulfur after ageing due to the severe degradation of vulcanized SBS, therefore SBS/sulfur-modified asphalt was more susceptible to ageing. Besides, the SBS structure also had a great effect on the properties of binders before and after ageing. In infrared spectra analysis, the structural evolutions of binder under different ageing modes were characterized by using right ageing index and the conclusions of thermal analysis and dynamic viscosity tests were confirmed further by the changes of butadiene and carbonyl indexes.