Comparison on rheological properties of origin and layered nano-montmorillonite modified asphalt binder

Abstract

Montmorillonite (MMT) is a typical layered silicate. It has been widely used to modify polymers. In recent years, layered silicate has been receiving more attention from researchers in the civil engineering field, especially the organic nano-montmorillonite (OMMT). Flexible pavement plays an important role in structures of the primary highway at present. With the development of road traffic, asphalt pavement has gained more and more attention. The requirements for modified bitumen are increasing according to the higher load condition and worse serving environment in modern highway construction. It is reported that the performances of asphalt pavement could be enhanced by using OMMT modified asphalt binder. Because of unique layered structures and good dispersion in the asphalt binder in nanometer scale, the OMMT exhibits excellent mechanical enhancement properties. The profound research is important for the application of OMMT modified asphalt concrete in practice projects. So the profound researches on the rheological properties are necessary. The specimens which including origin binder and the layered nanometer MMT content of 1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt% were prepared to do Frequency Sweep using Dynamic Shearing Rheometer (DSR). The rheological data was analysed by producing complex modulus and phase angle master curves. Effects of MMT concentration to the dynamic mechanical response of asphalt binder in wider frequency range were analyzed.