Low-density polyethylene/ethylene–vinyl acetate compound modified asphalt: Optimal preparation process and high-temperature rheological properties. (3rd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hong, Zhe; Yan, Kezhen; Wang, Min; You, Lingyun; Ge, Dongdong
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 314:Part B(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01-03
• Subjects: Modified asphalt -- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) -- Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) -- Optimal preparation process -- High-temperature rheological properties; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125688
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: The optimal preparation process of LDPE/EVA modified asphalt was investigated by an orthogonal experiment. LDPE has better properties than EVA on temperature susceptibility modification of asphalt. LDPE and EVA could improve the elastic performance and deformation resistance of asphalt. Abstract: Waste low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and ethylene–vinyl acetate (EVA) are two materials with low recyclability and slow degradation in the environment, which causes extreme pollution to the environment. In the pavement engineering field, natural resources depletion has always been a matter of controversy. Thus, applying recycled LDPE and EVA to asphalt modification is an efficient approach to relieve environmental pollution and decreasing demand for natural resources. This research aims to determine the optimal preparation process of LDPE/EVA modified asphalt, and the effect of LDPE and EVA on the high-temperature rheological properties of asphalt was also investigated. Conventional physical properties tests of LDPE/EVA modified asphalt are conducted to determine the process parameters. In addition, viscosity, temperature sweep, and multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) were utilized to evaluate the rheological properties at high-temperature range. Furthermore, fluorescence microscopy (FM) was utilized to evaluate the modification mechanism. The test result indicated that shearing time in the preparation process was the foremost factor affecting the properties. LDPE/EVA modified asphalt exhibited optimal properties when prepared at 3500 rpm for 60 min at 180℃. Both LDPE and EVA have positive effects on high-temperature performance and the ability to resist permanent deformation of asphalt, and also increase the anti-temperature variety properties. It is because of that EVA could improve the compatibility between LDPE and asphalt significantly, which is beneficial for broad the application of waste plastic in pavement engineering. Generally, the results showed LDPE and EVA compound modified asphalt performing well, which is an eco-friendly material for pavement engineering.