Apparent Molecular Weight Distributions for Investigating Aging in Polymer-Modified Bitumen. (26th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cappello, Miriam; Filippi, Sara; Hung, Yvong; Losa, Massimo; Polacco, Giovanni
• Other Names: Ghalei Behnam Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in polymer technology. Volume 2021(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11-26
• Subjects: Plastics -- Periodicals; Polymers -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1155/2021/3660646
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0730-6679

Abstract

Abstract : The oxidative aging of bituminous binders affects the performance and durability of pavements. In the case of polymer-modified binders, aging involves both bitumen and polymers and has a strong impact on the whole architecture of the material. Rheology may help in understanding these structural changes, and interesting information may be obtained by analysing the evolution of apparent molecular weight distributions. This was demonstrated with a bituminous binder modified with a poly(styrene-butadiene) block copolymer and subjected to prolonged artificial aging. Isothermal frequency sweep tests were used to construct master curves of the phase angle and magnitude of the complex modulus. The master curves were then used to calculate relaxation spectra and apparent molecular weight distributions of the binders, as well as simulated temperature sweep tests. A comparison of the behaviour of the base and modified bitumen highlighted the role of the polymer in aging. Polymer degradation significantly damages the elastomeric network, yet the residual polymer chains still interact with the bitumen molecules and reduce their oxidative aging. The apparent molecular weight distributions were deconvoluted to create an aging index specifically developed for polymer-modified bitumen.