The feasibility of using several soybean oil-based derivatives for asphalt binder modification: A preliminary study

Abstract

This paper examined the modification effects of three soybean oil-based derivatives for use in asphalt binder modification. Functional group grafting, free radical polymerization of monomers, and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT) were used to prepare three soybean oil-based derivatives, respectively. The test results of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) proved that the three bio-derivatives were successfully prepared. Performance grading (PG), multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR), linear amplitude sweep (LAS), temperature-frequency sweep test and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) tests were conducted to evaluate the modification effects of three derivatives on a base asphalt. The results indicated that poly (styrene-AESO) (PS-PAESO) reacted physically and chemically with the base asphalt binder during modification, and the development of a polymer elastic network improved the elasticity of base asphalt and thereby increased the rutting resistance and aging resistance. The incorporation of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO)and poly (acrylated epoxidized soybean oil) (PAESO)were found to improve the fatigue resistance of base asphalt, however, adversely affected its elasticity and high temperature performance. Additionally, it was found that PAESO with a higher molecular weight and polymer conversion might have the potential to ease the negative effects on high temperature performance. In general, three soybean oil-based derivatives have different emphases on asphalt modification, which could be used in various applications of asphalt in the paving industry with economic and environmental benefits.