Changes in Composition and Molecular Structure of Asphalt in Mixing with Crumb Rubber Modifier

Abstract

In the asphalt industry, interaction between crumb rubber modifier (CRM) and asphalt is conducted at different interaction conditions, which leads to various mechanisms of interactions and consequently different physical properties of final product. Several studies explained different mechanisms of interaction at macro level (changes in CRM particle size and morphology) and the exchange of components between CRM and asphalt. In this study, we are investigating the mechanism of interaction between the CRM and asphalt at molecular level using analytical techniques such as gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in combination with thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA). The TGA shows the type of the material being released from CRM particles into the asphalt matrix. The GPC shows that the components of CRM released at certain mixing temperature (i.e. 190°C) have higher molecular weight than the ones released at higher mixing temperature (i.e. 220°C). Also, temperature sweep viscoelastic analysis on the CRM binder and its extracted liquid phase (CRM removed) indicates that the released components with high molecular weights are able to create internal network structure in the asphalt and consequently enhance its mechanical performance.

Department(s)

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering

Sponsor(s)

National Science Foundation (U.S.)

Comments

This material is based on the work supported by the National Science Foundation [grant number 0846861].

Keywords and Phrases

Asphalt; GPC; Modification; Polymer; Rubber; TGA

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1468-0629

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2016 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Oct 2016

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