Abstract
In this paper, an atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to study the nano-morphology characteristics of styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) modified bitumen. The effects of SBS content and short-term aging on the nano-morphology parameters of bitumen were studied. The correlation between nano-morphology parameters and main pavement performances of SBS modified bitumen was analyzed. The results show that with the increase of SBS content, the average area of bee-like structure and the proportions of bee-like structure area of SBS modified bitumen increases gradually, the roughness of the whole image and the roughness of the lightweight component region decreases gradually, but the increasing or decreasing trend is no longer obvious when the content of SBS is more than 4%. The maximum height difference of SBS modified bitumen is linear with the content of SBS. The larger the content of SBS, the smaller the influence of short-term aging on the nano-morphology of SBS modified bitumen. The penetration degree will decrease and the softening point will increase with the increase of the proportion of bee-like structure area of SBS modified bitumen. The ductility will decrease with the increase of the roughness of the lightweight component region. The ductility and the Brookfield viscosity will increase with the increase of the maximum height difference. The research results provided a reference for defining quantifiable nano-parameters of SBS modified bitumen and establishing the relationship between nano-parameters and pavement performances.
Highlights
At present, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) modified bitumen is the most widely used modified bitumen in the world, and the market share is more than 95% [1,2,3]
Micro-detection technology represented by fluorescence microscope and nano-detection technology represented by atomic force microscope (AFM) has been applied in the detection of SBS modified bitumen [9,10,11]
The second problem is that the relationship between the nano-parameters of SBS modified bitumen and its pavement performances is still unknown
Summary
Styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) modified bitumen is the most widely used modified bitumen in the world, and the market share is more than 95% [1,2,3]. The specifications of SBS-modified bitumen has been established, which used viscosity as the key index, low-temperature index, fatigue index, temperature sensitivity, durability, adhesiveness, and viscoelasticity as the auxiliary performance system and corresponding evaluation index system [4,5]. Many researchers had tried to establish the relationship between nano-parameters and aging performance, including the reduction of bee-like structure and the degree of aggregation after aging [30]. The second problem is that the relationship between the nano-parameters of SBS modified bitumen and its pavement performances is still unknown. In this paper, modified bitumen with different SBS content was prepared, and the nano-parameters were obtained by AFM at room temperature, such as, the average area of the bee-like structure, the proportion of bee-like structure area, the roughness of the whole image, the roughness of the lightweight component region and the maximum height difference. The research results provided a reference for defining quantifiable nano-parameters of SBS modified bitumen and establishing the relationship between nano-parameters and pavement performances
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
