Effect of additives on the structural organization of asphaltene aggregates in bitumen

The Influence of Alternative Fillers on the Adhesive Properties of Mastics Fabricated with Red Mud

“…The bitumen has a complex system characterized by intermolecular associations of polar molecules (asphaltenes) dispersed in a more apolar continuous phase of saturated paraffin, aromatic oils, and resins called maltene [42]. The oxidation of some organic components occurs due to the losses of volatile substances and promotes the stiffness of the bitumen (aging).…”

“…The increasing number of asphaltenes causes the immobilization of an excessive number of polar molecules and, ultimately, bitumen embrittlement. In this case, the final asphalt is susceptible to fracturing after thermal or mechanical stress [42].…”

“…The additives used to reduce aging act on the inorganic-organic interfacial tension, dispersing the inorganic particles among the bitumen matrix. It is believed that the additive used in this study has an apolar nature that acts in the maltene phase, weakening asphaltene inter-cluster interactions and softening the bitumen [42]. In the first moment, the reduction of viscosity promotes a better covering of the aggregates by the mastics.…”

New Experimental Approaches to Analyse the Supramolecular Structure of Rejuvenated Aged Bitumens

“…These techniques are based on observing the scattered intensity of an X-ray beam hitting a sample as a function of incident and scattered angle, polarization, and wavelength or energy [21]. The PXRD spectrum provides the nanostructural information as well as the crystallite parameter of the molecules that are associated with the asphaltene aggregates [22][23][24]. For structure investigations on length scales longer than a few nm, Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) is best suitable, whereas in the wide angle range (WAXS) the spectrum furnishes precious indications about characteristic distances belonging to various atomic and molecular organizations of different levels of complexity.…”

Analysis of Mechanical Performance of Bitumen Modified with Waste Plastic and Rubber Additives by Rheology and Self Diffusion NMR Experiments

“…Bitumen is commonly modelled as a colloid, with maltenes as the continuous phase and micelles of asphaltenes stabilized by associated resins as the dispersed phase [3,4]. Following the analogy with reversed micelles in water-oil microemulsions where the stabilization of the polar domains is of pivotal importance for determining both the structure and the properties of the overall aggregates [5,6,7], in the same way in bitumens the composition and the colloidal structure [8] influence its physical and rheological properties [9,10,11]. These binders are commonly used in the pavement constructions to meet the raising requirements of the surface durability of the roads.…”