Evaluation of the Rheological Property of Binder-Filler Systems after Oxidation Based on a Simple Film Oven Aging Method

Abstract

Asphalt mastic is a combination of binder and filler. The binder-filler system within asphalt mixtures plays an important role in adhesion between mineral aggregates. The aging of binders in pavement always happens with fillers inside or contact with mineral aggregates, so it is critical to investigate the evolved rheological property of binder-filler systems during oxidative aging. In this study, simple film oven aging methods for the aging of mastics (binder-filler system) were conducted and verified by comparing the master-curves of aged mastics at different oven positions or different aging times. The frequency sweep test was performed to measure the changing stiffness of mastics with a different combination of binders and filler contents. Test results show that oven positions could influence the aging effect of the mastics significantly, given the influence of circulation. With increasing aging times, the complex modulus increases while phase angle decreases. Comparing the mastics which were first aged then mixed with mastics which were first mixed then aged, it was observed that fillers inside the binder could accelerate aging of the mastics. Additionally, the aging index of mastics with different combinations showed that both the modification of binders and filler contents could affect the aging rate of the mastics.