Influence of accelerated aging test temperature on the properties of binders

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of test temperature of the rolling thin film oven (RTFO) and pressure aging vessel (PAV) on aging of asphalt binders. It also evaluated the difference of three binders obtained at 85 and 100°C, as recommended by European and SHRP binder specifications for PAV, and at a typical pavement temperature of 60°C. The aging was evaluated in terms of the physical, chemical and rheological properties. Tests conducted included penetration, softening point, viscosity, mass loss, chemical compound analysis, infrared absorption spectrum (IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), bending beam rheometer (BBR) as well as dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). The results indicated that: (1) the hardness of the aged binders was sensitive to the RTFO test temperature, whereas, their Performance Grade (PG) was not affected; (2) increasing the PAV test temperature enhanced the oxidation aging, leading to significant changes in the properties; (3) the three aged binders obtained at PAV temperatures of 60, 85 and 100°C have insignificant difference in terms of the considered properties.