Electrical and mechanical properties of asphaltic composites containing carbon based fillers

Abstract

Electrically conductive asphalt concrete has strong potential for diverse multifunctional applications including heated pavements to remove snow and ice, self-sensing, self-healing, and energy harvesting. In this study, the effects of powder type carbon based additives including eight graphite and carbon black on asphaltic composites are investigated. The physical, electrical, and mechanical properties of the raw materials, asphalt mastic, and asphalt concrete are experimentally evaluated focusing on electrical conductivity. The mastic test results indicate that electrical conductivity of the asphalt mastics substantially influenced by the particle shape, and flake type graphite is efficient in imparting conductivity. Based on the mastic test results, two flake type graphite were selected, and added into asphalt concrete specimens. The results showed that a sufficiently high electrical conductivity can be achieved by adding 2–3% of filler size flake graphite by volume of asphalt concrete. In addition, adding the flake graphite improves the indirect tensile strength of asphalt concrete up to 40%. The findings of the study will provide fundamental backgrounds in using carbon based powder type conductive additives for multifunctional applications of asphaltic composites.