Electrospun Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate Microfibers as an Asphalt Binder Modifier

Fibers are used in an asphalt mix to improve its durability and resistance against distresses, such as rutting and cracking. Consequently, accurate rheological and performance characterization of asphalt binders and mixes containing fibers is of vital importance. With increased concerns over the environmental disruptions resulting from disposing of end-of-life plastics in landfills and the need to improve the sustainability of construction materials, incorporating plastic in construction materials has always been considered an effective method for recycling and reducing waste sent to landfills. In this study, the end-of-life polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic obtained from bottled water containers was used to produce PET microfibers using the electrospinning technique. The electrospun PET microfibers (EPM) produced through various PET concentrations in electrospinning solutions were used as an asphalt additive. It was found that adding EPM to asphalt mixes improved their resistance to rutting, moisture-induced damage, and cracking compared to mixes that did not contain any EPM. At the asphalt binder level, an increase in EPM content resulted in an improvement in the binder's high-temperature PG grade, while different variations were observed in its low-temperature grade, depending on the EPM content. Overall, it was concluded that incorporating EPM in asphalt mixes can potentially be a feasible approach to reduce plastic landfills and improve the performance and sustainability of the ground transportation system.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=1202
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78819
• Summary URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/78820
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  South Dakota State University, Brookings

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Brookings, SD  United States  57007

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ghabchi, Rouzbeh
  • Datta, Debbrata
• Publication Date: 2024-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 70p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Bituminous binders; Cracking; Fibers; Plastics; Recycled materials; Rutting
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01938756
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC-664, MPC 24-555
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 5 2024 9:38AM