Influence of montmorillonite on ageing resistance of styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene-modified asphalt

Abstract

Storage-stable styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene (SEBS)-modified (SM) asphalt was prepared by the addition of 4 mass/% SEBS and 3 mass/% organic montmorillonite (OMMT). The physical and rheological properties of SM and stable SEBS/OMMT-modified (SOSM) asphalts before and after short- or long-term thermal ageing were tested. The rheological tests showed that SOSM asphalt was more susceptible to ageing and became more flexible after ageing. The addition of OMMT restricted the swelling of SEBS in asphalt and led to an obvious susceptibility of SEBS to ageing. The structural characteristics of modified asphalt and OMMT before and after ageing were investigated by using optical microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, thermal analysis, respectively. The microscopic and thermal analysis confirmed the ageing susceptibility of storage-stable SOSM asphalt.