Abstract
Novel resources can contribute to replacing asphalt with sustainable, flexible pavement options. In this study, asphalt was replaced by guayule resin as a bioresource by-product extracted during guayule natural rubber production. Crumb rubber modifier (CRM) was used as an asphalt enhancer. According to the Superpave criteria, the designated binders were exposed to tests covering the construction process (mixing and compaction requirements), rutting, fatigue, and thermal cracking resistances through viscosity, high-, intermediate-, and low-temperature measurements, respectively. The original, short-term aging, and long-term aging conditions were simulated using tank, rolling thin film oven, and pressure aging vessel materials, respectively. Additionally, component analysis using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy was performed to link the rheological properties with the chemical changes. Outcomes showed a relatively lower viscosity for guayule resin than asphalt at the same high-temperature grade, thus indicating savings in plant energy consumption and environmental emissions. The CRM enhanced guayule, but not as much as asphalt, as proven by polymeric component migration through the liquid binder. This enhancement was reflected in the rheological performance in addition to other factors. The as-received guayule resin had a high oxygen content confirmed by strong absorption peak intensities of oxidative bonds (e.g., Carbonyl and sulfoxide). Such pre-oxidation was negatively reflected in the intermediate- and low-temperature performances of guayule resin and guayule-based binders. However, the investigated guayule resin compensated for asphalt replacement by 23–42% of the blend's weight.
Highlights
Guayule resin is a bio-based by-product extracted during the guayule natural rubber production, the current main guayule shrub product [1]
This study aimed to investigate the utilization of guayule resin for partial and entire asphalt binder replacement
Asphalt cement was received from Conoco Phillips terminal in Granite City, Illinois, had a grade of PG52-28 according to the Superpave grading system
Summary
Guayule resin is a bio-based by-product extracted during the guayule natural rubber production, the current main guayule shrub product [1]. Guayule natural rubber has encountered challenges since the 1900s [4] concerning commercialization due to the overall production cost associated with the guayule plant cultivation through the final product [1]. Such a challenge has made it not competitive to the dominant source of the natural rubber (Hevea) [4]. Several researchers ensured that co-products such as guayule resin and bagasse could reduce the guayule production costs to a great extent. We look forward to getting advantage of guayule resin, which almost has no commercial value by this moment, in the massive asphalt industry
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