Laboratory investigation on the properties of warm mixing-recycled asphalt containing waste oil and plastics

Abstract

ABSTRACT The integration of warm-mix and regeneration technologies is gaining momentum due to its dual advantages: enhancing the utilization of recycled asphalt and promoting environmental sustainability. In this study, these technologies by leveraging waste materials were synergized. Specifically, kitchen waste oil underwent chemical treatment to serve as a rejuvenator, while waste low-density polyethylene was transformed into pyrolysis wax, a beneficial additive for the asphalt mix. Utilizing these waste components, a sustainable warm mixing-recycled asphalt blend was formulated. This blend’s efficacy was meticulously evaluated through viscosity tests, rheological assessments, four-component analyses, and FT-IR evaluations. Optimal results emerged when incorporating 5% waste pyrolysis wax and 3.3% waste oil into warm recycled asphalt, notably improving viscosity reduction, high-temperature performance, rutting resistance, and fatigue life at 25 °C. Moreover, the four-component test shows the component of aged asphalt after adding the optimal combination is basically consistent with that of the neat asphalt. Importantly, FT-IR tests affirmed that pyrolysis wax bolstered the blend’s oxidation resistance. Through gray correlation analysis, we deduced that asphalt’s component changes are intricately linked with rheological property variations. Notably, the carbonyl index exhibited a pronounced negative correlation with rutting and fatigue life.