Role of asphalt binder compositions in the thermoreversible aging Process

ABSTRACT

In order to understand the contribution of asphalt components to thermoreversible aging, the extended bending beam rheometer (Ex-BBR) test, SARA fractions separation, and thermal analysis were performed on a series of asphalt binders from different sources. The results indicated that thermoreversible aging is not an inherent characteristic of asphalt, and some binders were not affected by thermoreversible aging. Grade loss caused by thermoreversible aging showed a high correlation with wax content in asphalt but had no apparent relationship with asphaltenes content and colloidal structure index used. Moreover, the thermal analysis results well explained the degree of thermoreversible aging in the asphalt binder. Finally, the endothermic peak and crystallites formed in asphalt binder could have resulted from the long side chains in naphthene aromatic molecules.

KEYWORDS:

• Asphalt binder
• thermoreversible aging
• physical hardening
• four fractions
• thermal analysis

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Applied Basic Research Program of Sichuan Province under grant number 2021YJ0533, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, SWJTU under grant numbers 2682021CX017 and 2682022CX002, National Natural Science Foundation of China under grant numbers 52008352 and 52178438, and Royal Society (IEC\NSFC\211306 - International Exchanges 2021 Cost Share) . We would like also to thank the Analytical and Testing Center of Southwest Jiaotong University for the thermal analysis and support of the International Cooperation under 111 Project (B21011).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China: [Grant Number 52008352,52178438]; Applied Basic Research Program of Sichuan Province: [Grant Number 2021YJ0533]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of the Southwest Jiaotong University: [Grant Number 2682021CX017,2682022CX002]; Royal Society (IEC\NSFC\211306 - International Exchanges 2021 Cost Share); and International Cooperation under111 Project (B21011).