3D printed rubber modified asphalt as sustainable material in pavement maintenance

Abstract

• Rubber modified 3DPA has good viscosity, elasticity, compatibility, high temperature and printability with 80 mesh and 18% of crumb rubber, and 4% of C 9 petroleum resin; • Only physical blending is occurred and C 9 petroleum resin play an effective compatibilization role in R−3DPA; • Recommended printing temperature and the speed of R−3DPA is 150 ∼ 160 °C and 1 cm/s. The application of 3D asphalt printing technology can be used to effectively improve the automation level and reduce the construction risk in pavement maintenance. In order to prepare and optimize 3D printed asphalt with good high-temperature performance and printability by sustainable utilization of waste rubber powder, the conventional properties and printability of rubber modified 3D printed asphalt (R-3DPA) were analyzed according to the basic properties and printing tests. The results were used to determine the optimal mesh and content of crumb rubber and additive content of C 9 petroleum resin. Then, the thermal storability and high temperature rheological property of R-3DPA were studied by phase separation test and dynamic shear rheological test. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy were used to analyze the modification mechanism of R-3DPA. The printing temperature and speed were determined by a 3D printing test. The results show that R-3DPA has good viscosity, elasticity, compatibility, high-temperature rutting resistance, and printability with 80 mesh and 18 % of crumb rubber and 4 % of C 9 petroleum resin. Physical blending occurred, and C 9 petroleum resin can play an effective compatibilization role in R-3DPA. The recommended printing temperature and speed R-3DPA are 150–160 °C and 1 cm/s.