Thermorheology of Polyethylene Wax Modified Sulfur Asphalt

Abstract

Abstract The possibility of using polyethylene (PE) wax to modify the rheology of sulfur asphalt binders is investigated. In this study, two industrial wastes namely sulfur and PE wax are used to modify asphalt for pavement applications. Asphalt binders with different amounts of sulfur and wax content are prepared in a high shear blender and rheological tests were carried out in ARES rheometer. PE wax content was varied from 2 to 8 % and sulfur of up to 40 % is used in asphalt binder. Melt rheology is characterized by dynamic frequency sweep, temperature sweep and artificial ageing techniques. Pure and modified asphalt binders are also characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR). Improvement in the viscoelastic properties (G′ and G″) of the sulfur asphalt binders is obtained due to the addition of PE wax. PE wax modification has reduced temperature susceptibility of sulfur asphalt and increased the upper performance temperature. In addition, this wax modification has increased the activation energy and the zero shear viscosity of sulfur asphalt. Optimum sulfur and PE wax contents of the asphalt binder are recommended. Utilization of PE wax and sulfur wastes in asphalt modification proved to enhance asphalt pavement life.