Morphological investigation of SBS modified bitumen by innovative microscopies: AFM and CLSM

Abstract

Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) is one of the most commonly used copolymer in the PMB production. SBS modification results in different material characteristics on the neat bitumen depending on the SBS type and of course the amount of the SBS used in the modification. Within the scope of this study, morphological characterisation of SBS modified samples involving different amount of SBS copolymer (4%, 5% and 6%) were examined by using innovative microscopies as AFM and CLSM. The topographic and phase properties of the PMB samples were obtained by using AFM and the dispersion and interaction of SBS copolymer with the bitumen were interpreted based on the images obtained by CLSM. As a result it was concluded that, the amount of the copolymer used in the modification process directly effects the morphological properties of the final product (PMB).

Exploring the chemical properties and microstructural characterisations of hybrid asphalt binders for enhanced performance

“…The 6% hybrid asphalt binder also acquired a higher dispersed phase. This observation was attributed to a chemical interaction between the constituent materials and the asphalt component, resulting in the elastomeric material swelling and altering the elastic characteristics of the entire bituminous matrix [58,59]. The distributions of dark region zones in the 3%, 6%, and 9% hybrid asphalt binder mixtures were also inconsistent.…”

Comparison of elvaloy and styrene-butadiene-styrene added polymer modified bitumen

“…The different molecular structures of the additive give the binder strength and elasticity [9]. Furthermore, SBS modification also affects the morphological structure of bitumen [10]. In modifications made with SBS, the amount of additive is generally limited to between 2% and 5% for economic reasons [11,12].…”