Short- and Long-Term Epoxy Modification of Bitumen: Modification Kinetics, Rheological Properties, and Microstructure

Aiming to gain knowledge in the epoxy-bitumen modification mechanisms, this work explores the e ects that epoxy concentration and ambient curing exert on the physico-chemistry and thermo-rheological properties of epoxy-modified binders. Process rheokinetics of epoxy-bitumen blends indicates that bin...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cuadri Vega, Antonio Abad, Delgado Sánchez, Clara, Navarro Domínguez, Francisco Javier, Partal López, Pedro
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Huelva (UHU)
Repositorio:Arias Montano. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ariasmontano.uhu.es:10272/17912
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10272/17912
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Epoxy bitumen modification
Bitumen processing
Rheology
Process rheokinetics
Short-term modification
Long-term modification
Descripción
Sumario:Aiming to gain knowledge in the epoxy-bitumen modification mechanisms, this work explores the e ects that epoxy concentration and ambient curing exert on the physico-chemistry and thermo-rheological properties of epoxy-modified binders. Process rheokinetics of epoxy-bitumen blends indicates that binder short-term modification (i.e., during processing) is accelerated by epoxy concentration. Furthermore, a synergistic e ect of epoxy concentration and ambient curing is found during long-term modification (i.e., during curing at ambient conditions). As a result, viscous and viscoelastic rheological properties of binders are enhanced at medium/high in-service temperatures, at least, after one month of curing. FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy) tests and SARAs (Saturates, Aromatics, Resins and Asphaltenes) analysis confirm the existence of esterification/etherification reactions between epoxy oxirane groups and the carbonyl groups available in aromatic and resin molecules. Thus, the new high molecular weight compounds increase the asphaltenic fraction of modified bitumen. Likewise, nonreversing heat flow curves obtained by modulated calorimetry corroborate the formation of such highly structured domains responsible for the final binder performance.