Effect of components on the performance of asphalt modified by waste packaging polyethylene

Abstract

Waste packaging polyethylene (WPE) was used to modify raw asphalt by melt blending the components at 190 °C for 1 h in a simple mixer and subsequently machining them at 120 °C for 1 h in a high-speed shearing machine. The effect of modification on the degree of the penetration, the softening point and the ductility of the asphalt was studied using fluorescent microscopy, infrared spectrometry, component changes and various other techniques. The experimental results showed that no chemical reactions took place in the components themselves (saturate, aromatic, asphaltene and resin) during the modifications. The softening point and penetration of the asphalt were found to be closely related to the resulting contents of the asphaltene, saturate and resin components. In addition, aromatics were identified as having the greatest impact on the ductility of the asphalt.