Abstract
Layered silicates, as bitumen modifiers, have received increasing attention. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of layered silicates on bitumen properties. For this study, montmorillonite (MMT), rectorite (REC), organic montmorillonite (OMMT), and organic rectorite (OREC) were selected. The layered structure type of layered silicates was characterized by SEM (scanning electron microscope) and XRD (X-ray diffraction diffractometer). Tests for determining high-temperature properties included viscosity, DSR (dynamic shear rheometer), and TG (thermogravimetry) tests, and studies for determining the low-temperature properties were conducted by BBR (bending beam rheometer) and DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) tests. Our results show that MMT, REC, OMMT, and OREC were all intercalated structures. OREC had the largest d001 interlayer space, followed by REC, OMMT, and MMT. OREC improved the high-temperature property of virgin bitumen more effectively than OMMT. Meanwhile, REC-modified bitumen exhibited a high-temperature property similar to OMMT-modified bitumen. When compared with REC and OREC, MMT and OMMT were less efficient in reducing the low-temperature properties of virgin bitumen, and OMMT was the least efficient. Therefore, it can be concluded that the nature of pristine layered silicates has a great impact on the high- and low-temperature properties of bitumen. Moreover, organic treatment can simultaneously improve the high- and low-temperature properties of layered silicate-modified bitumens.
Highlights
Bitumen pavement has been extensively employed in China, in view of its excellent properties such as low noise and good driving comfort [1]
organic rectorite (OREC), MMT and organic montmorillonite (OMMT) were less efficient in reducing the low-temperature properties of virgin bitumen, and OMMT was the least efficient
It can be concluded that the nature of pristine layered silicates has a great impact on the high- and low-temperature properties of bitumen
Summary
Bitumen pavement has been extensively employed in China, in view of its excellent properties such as low noise and good driving comfort [1]. In response to pavement distresses caused by the increasing traffic volume, loads, and other factors in early service conditions, virgin bitumen is usually required to be modified [2]. Polymers are the most commonly used modifier in bitumen, which mainly contain rubbers (e.g., styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), chloroprene rubber (CR)), thermoplastic elastomers (e.g., styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)), thermoplastic resin (e.g., poluethylene (PE), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)), and thermosetting resin (e.g., epoxy (EP)) [3,4,5,6]. Bitumen properties are dramatically improved by adding a small amount of polymers.
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