Evaluation of regeneration effect of maleic anhydride regenerant

Abstract

A maleic anhydride regenerant was prepared according to the patent – Asphalt Regenerant as well as Preparation Method and Application Thereof (Patent No.:2018107948408), and the regeneration effect of the regenerant was tested through the penetration, ductility, softening point, viscosity, and rutting factor tests of asphalt. The experimental results showed that the technical index of maleic anhydride regenerant met the grade of RA-5. After the addition of maleic anhydride regenerant to the aged base asphalt and aged modified asphalt, its low-temperature resistance was significantly improved and the viscosity of asphalt was also improved to a certain extent. The test results of the rotational viscosity and rutting factor of the modified asphalt at 135°C show that the addition of maleic anhydride regenerant can increase the viscosity of the modified asphalt, but it is unfavorable to the high-temperature resistance. The regeneration mechanism of regenerant was explored from the microscopic composition of asphalt. The aging of the asphalt is essentially the transfer of components, which results in an imbalance in the proportion of dispersant and dispersion in the asphalt dispersion system. After the addition of regenerant, the light components in the aged asphalt are supplemented, so that the dispersant and dispersed phase in the asphalt gradually tends to be stable. As a result, the asphalt viscosity is increased and the low-temperature resistance of the aged asphalt is restored. However, the increase of light components is detrimental to the high-temperature resistance of asphalt.