Study on Aging Kinetics of Saudi Arabian Paving Asphalt

The changes of n-pentane asphaltene content, penetration, softening point, and ductility of two Saudi Arabian paving asphalts have been studied during aging. Further, aging kinetics of asphalt, based on the change of n-pentane asphaltene content, has been studied. Some correlative kinetic parameters were calculated and the aging kinetics equation of asphalt was gained. The value calculated depending on the equation was in accordance with the experimental data. And the relationship between the composition of the high grade paving asphalt and its aging resistant performances was revealed. It showed that the aging of high grade paving asphalt was a first-order reaction. AH-70 paving asphalt has the following characteristics: higher reaction active energy, less reaction velocity constant, lower aging velocity, and better aging resistance performance compared with AH-90 paving asphalt. The changes of penetration, softening point, and ductility of asphalt during aging further proved that the kinetic model is reliable.