Properties of Bitumen Modified with Nanoclay/Pet (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Blend

Abstract

As the world continues to urbanize, the construction of transportation highway continuously requires quality pavement which made transportation engineers and experts focus on improving the performance and life of pavements, to which many studies had searched for better materials or modifications that could improve the properties of bitumen and reduce or even eliminate the development of asphalt pavement failures. To this end, the properties of bitumen modified with blend of PET + nanoclay was conducted. The bitumen was modified with PET (0.5 – 4.0% at 0.5% interval), and nanoclay (1.0 – 8.0% at 1% intervals), while the tests conducted on the materials were oxide composition test, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) test, penetration test, solubility test, ductility test, flash and fire point test, specific gravity test, softening point test, and viscosity test in accordance with codes and specification. Results from the findings showed that the unmodified bitumen and PET are hydrocarbon materials, while the nanoclay is an inorganic compound and a good reactive pozzolana. More results from the findings showed that the properties of bitumen was improved with addition of PET and nanoclay blend such that the penetration and solubility of bitumen decreases with increase in modifier content, and there was an increase in softening point, flash point, fire point, specific gravity, and viscosity of bitumen as replacement of PET and nanoclay blend increases. Hence, the modifiers (Nanoclay/PET blend) can be used to improve properties of bitumen since they fall within standard and code specification.