An In-Depth Investigation into the Physicochemical, Thermal, Microstructural, and Rheological Properties of Petroleum and Natural Asphalts

Abstract

Over the last decade, unexpected and sudden pavement failures have occurred in several provinces in South Korea. Some of these failures remain unexplained, further illustrating the gaps in our knowledge about binder chemistry. To prevent premature pavement distress and enhance road performance, it is imperative to provide an adequate characterization of asphalt. For this purpose, the current research aims at inspecting the chemistry, microstructure, thermal, and physico-rheological properties of two types of asphalt, namely petroleum asphalt (PA) and natural asphalt (NA). The binders were extensively investigated by using elemental analysis, thin-layer chromatography with flame ionization detection (TLC-FID), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-fight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy (RS), Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR), ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), penetration, softening point, ductility, and viscosity tests. The findings of this research have revealed the distinct variations between the chemical compositions, microstructures, and thermo-rheological properties of the two asphalts and provided valuable knowledge into the characteristics of the binders. Such insight has been effective in predicting the performance or distress of road pavement. This paper will, therefore, be of immediate interest to materials engineers in state highway agencies and asphalt industries.

Rheological, physicochemical, and microstructural properties of asphalt binder modified by fumed silica nanoparticles

“…After this step, char and asphaltenes are created in polymerization/cracking process. These reactions were found to provoke weight loss of binders 45 – 47 . In FSN-modified binder samples, the final decomposition occurred earlier than for control samples, which was attributed to the presence of FSN.…”

Potential of Waste Oyster Shells as a Novel Biofiller for Hot-Mix Asphalt

“…3The last stage occurred, corresponding to the combustion of the remaining asphaltenes and the formation of char residues (ca. 14.29 wt %) [57].…”

Effect of Cereclor as Rejuvenator to Enhance the Aging Resistance of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement Binder

“…Both contents are uniform in the unaged binder, thereby establishing a stable dispersion mechanism [15]. Asphaltene content is increased due to aging, in which the entire phenomenon of aging comprises intrinsic variables such as binder and aggregate properties, binder content in the hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixture, air voids, and binder coating layer thickness; the variables of extrinsic nature include mixing temperature, effects of the environment (ultraviolet radiation, temperature variation, intensity of rainfall), and exposure time that simulates the aging conditions occurring during the service life of pavements [12,16]. Different rejuvenation mechanisms exist that contribute to the healing of the performance properties of the aged binder.…”