Influence of Different Aging Environments on Rheological Behavior and Structural Properties of Rubber Asphalt

Abstract

Research on asphalt aging properties mainly focuses on temperature and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, while water, acid and salt media in natural environment are often ignored. According to the aging simulation of self-made UV environment chamber, the influence of the coupling effect of different media and UV radiation on rubber asphalt properties was analyzed through physical properties, rheological properties and micro characteristics, and the structural properties of asphalt were revealed. The results indicated that different media can accelerate the aging of rubber asphalt. The penetration, creep rate and non-recoverable creep compliance of asphalt decreased, while the softening point, rutting factor, recoverable rate, fatigue factor and stiffness modulus increased. The coupling effect between acid and UV radiation had the most impact on asphalt rutting and fatigue cracking. The rubber asphalt performed better at high-temperature after aging, and it was more prone to fatigue damage and performed worse at low-temperature. Through the oxygen absorption reaction causing asphalt aging, the intensity of the absorption peaks of the carbonyl and sulfoxide groups increased and the light components of the asphalt transitioned to heavy components under UV radiation. These media intensified this process, which resulted in the gradual transformation of the asphalt colloid structure into a gel type. The carbon black contained in the waste rubber powder made the rubber asphalt exhibit better anti-aging properties.

Molecular-Atomic Scale Insight on Asphalt–Aggregate Interface Interaction and Seawater Erosion with Different Aging-Resistant Materials Using Molecular Dynamics Simulations

“…In recent years, some researchers have started to focus on the impact of seawater erosion, temperature, and ultraviolet radiation on the long-term performance of asphalt materials . Studies indicate that the coupling effect of seawater salt solutions with high temperature, ultraviolet radiation, and other environmental factors accelerates the property deterioration and component degradation of asphalt material . Xiao et al also suggests a positive correlation between the solubility of chloride salts and the degree of asphalt aging, indirectly leading to the strength deterioration of the asphalt–aggregate interface.…”

Effect of Salt Solution Environment on the Aging of Styrene−Butadiene−Styrene (SBS)-Modified Asphalt

“…After being aged, the high-temperature resistance of asphalt was enhanced, the light components of the micro-components changed to heavy components, and the contents of aromatic hydrocarbons and gels were reduced. Similarly, by using 70# virgin base asphalt in NaCl solution, Zhang et al [ 17 ] found that the salt environment aggravated the aging degree of asphalt.…”

The Properties of Sodium-Hypochlorite-Activated Crumb Rubber and the Influence of Aging on the Rheological Properties of Activated Asphalt Rubber

“…Yin [16] simulated the physical and rheological tests of rubber asphalt before and after thermal aging, and established an anti-aging-mechanism model. Zhang et al [17,18] studied the aging behavior of rubber asphalt under multiple environmental factors and found that the coupling effect of acid and ultraviolet radiation had the most significant influence on the aging of the rubber asphalt. Liu [19] prepared a composite modified rubber and proposed a secondary reaction method to improve its performance after short-term aging.…”