Chemical component and low-temperature characteristics of modified asphalt composite with styrene–butadiene rubber and liquid nitrile rubber

Abstract

ABSTRACT This research investigated the impact of styrene–butadiene rubber and liquid nitrile rubber on chemical microstructure and low-temperature characteristics of modified asphalt composite seal for the intermediate layer on airport pavement subgrade. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to determine the chemical component changes of asphalts with typical chemical indices collected quantitatively. A frequency sweep test was conducted to expand the master curves of various binders. Additionally, the Glover-Rowe parameter was calculated to evaluate the binders’ cracking potential at low temperatures. A shear relaxation test was used to analyse the stress distribution in asphalt binders. Based on the bending beam rheometer test, the creep rate and stiffness value of asphalts were combined to investigate the low-temperature anti-cracking property. Moreover, the low-temperature comprehensive compliances were adopted to reveal the viscoelastic characteristics of asphalt binders with the Burgers model established. Finally, the colloid microstructure models with differential scanning calorimetry test and statistical analyses were conducted to demonstrate the corresponding correlation. It was concluded that the interaction process of the polymer network would induce the chemical component migration in asphalt and affect the low-temperature rheological characteristics of composite seals, which should be considered in the pavement structure design in cold regions.