DETERMINATION OF SIGNIFICANT FACTORS CONTROLLING COMPATIBILITY OF ASPHALTS WITH SYNTHETIC POLYMERS. FINAL REPORT

The primary objective of this work is to evaluate several significant factors controlling compatibility between asphalt and synthetic polymers. Employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical spectrometry (DMS) and thermomechanical analysis (TMA) techniques, we have determined the composition and crystallinity of representative asphalts along with their dynamic physical properties. Eight asphalt samples from four manufacturers with grades from AC-10 to AC-30 were characterized by penetration, viscosity, temperature sensitivity, Carbon-13 NMR, FTIR, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and DSC. Glass transition temperatures and activation energies for the relaxation process of the asphalt were determined with DMA experiments. The crystallizable component of the asphalt was measured with DSC, and polar groups in the asphalt were analyzed with FTIR. Techniques for slightly chlorinating polyethylene to improve its compatibility with asphalt are reported. Both high density polyethylene (HDPE) and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) modified asphalts containing 5 wt% polymer were studied using classical techniques and DMA in both bending mode and shear mode. DSC, fluorescence reflection microscopy and FTIR were also employed to characterize the polymer modified asphalts. Penetration, viscosity, creep resistance and low temperature crack resistance of the asphalt and the polymer modified asphalts were evaluated. The results confirm that CPEs with low chlorine contents (<15 wt%) are more compatible with asphalt than HDPE and, therefore, exhibit better reinforcement effects in asphalt cements. Constant stress creep and 50 Hz dynamic crack resistance are excellent tests for determining polymer-asphalt compatibility.

• Record URL:
  http://www.ltrc.lsu.edu/pdf/2008/fr_288.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge

  Departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70803

  Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

  1201 Capitol Access Road, P.O. Box 94245
  Baton Rouge, LA  United States  70804-9245

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Daly, W H
  • Collier, J R
  • Negulescu II
  • Qiu (Chiu), Z
  • Runkle, J
• Publication Date: 1995-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 74 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cracking; Creep; Ethylene resins; High density; Low temperature; Mechanical analysis; Pendulum tests; Polymer asphalt; Resistance (Mechanics); Temperature; Thermal stresses; Viscosity
• Uncontrolled Terms: Fracture resistance; High density polyethylene
• Old TRIS Terms: Chlorinated polyethylenes; Creep resistance
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00682867
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/LA-94/288, NCP 4E1F4011
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1995 12:00AM