Fundamental characterization of SBS‐modified asphalt mixed with sulfur

The purpose of this study was to characterize the mechanical behavior of asphalt modified by styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) and sulfur. Viscosity, microscopy, and rheological tests were conducted to understand the engineering properties of the polymer‐modified asphalt (PMA). Without the addition of sulfur, the polymer‐modified asphalt was microheterogeneous and was made up of two distinct finely interlocked phases, especially at high SBS concentrations. After the addition of sulfur, the PMA was observed to have smaller asphalt domains and a fairly homogeneous dispersion of the asphalt in the SBS matrix. The compatibility between polymer and asphalt produced an elastic network into the asphalt. The addition of sulfur resulted in an excellent elastic system and substantially increased the rheological properties of the PMA. Because of the colloidal nature of asphalt cements, their engineering properties were greatly improved because of the reinforcement of the SBS polymer and the physical‐chemical interaction between SBS and asphalt. The difference in the softening point between the top and bottom layers decreased significantly, and elastic recovery increased when was sulfur was present. A viscoelastic model was examined and shown to be appropriate for predicting the rheological properties ofthe asphalt–SBS blend mixed with sulfur. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 2817–2825, 2007