Synergistic Effect of F–T Synthetic Wax and Surface-Active Agent Content on the Properties and Foaming Characteristics of Bitumen 50/70

Abstract

The level of the properties of bituminous mixtures produced with water foamed bitumen relies on the optimum characteristics of the bitumen. One way to achieve the desired characteristics is to modify the bitumen with chemical additives before it is foamed. Bitumen 50/70 treated with a surface-active agent (SAA) at 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% and Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) synthetic wax at 1.5%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 3.0% was used in the tests. The effect of the modifiers was investigated by assessing bitumen properties (penetration, softening point, Fraass breaking point and dynamic viscosity at 60 °C, 90 °C and 135 °C) and foam parameters (maximum expansion—ER, half-life—HL). For statistical evaluation of the test results, models of the properties of bitumen 50/70 were developed as a function of the contents of F–T synthetic wax and SAA. It was found that 2.0% F–T wax and 0.6% SAA were optimum contents for achieving the desired standard properties and foam characteristics of the tested binder. The developed models allow determining the composition of the modified binder depending on the required foam characteristics for specific applications in road construction. The recommended composition of the chemical additives used to modify the binder was also established to ensure its optimum properties.

Effects of Short-Term Ageing Temperature on Conventional and High-Temperature Properties of Paving-Grade Bitumen with Anti-Stripping and WMA Additives

“…In order to effectively coat the mineral mix at lower temperatures and to ensure proper workability and compactability of the resulting asphalt mixture, modifications in the production process are required. These alterations may include asphalt binder foaming [ 15 , 16 ], asphalt binder additives and binder fluxing [ 17 , 18 ] asphalt mix additives [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 ], and their combinations [ 14 , 15 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Application of Atomic Force Microscopy as Advanced Asphalt Testing Technology: A Comprehensive Review

“…After years of development, the traditional testing methods for asphalt have become systematic, and so the performance of asphalt can be assessed in a more comprehensive manner [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. While traditional experimental methods can represent the properties of asphalt at a macroscopic level, chemical analysis methods are increasingly being used in the testing of asphalt and asphalt mixtures in order to better understand the link between the composition, structure, and properties of asphalt mixture components from a microscopic perspective [ 18 ].…”

Effects of Laboratory Ageing on the FTIR Measurements of Water-Foamed Bio-Fluxed Asphalt Binders

“…The commonly used methods for producing warm-mix asphalt include the utilization of proprietary techniques and additives (e.g., liquid and solid warm mix additives) [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], asphalt binder foaming using zeolite and other water-bearing minerals [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], direct water injection [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ] and use of bio-based fluxing agents [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In the recent years techniques enabling production of half-warm mix asphalt mixtures have also gained significant attention [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”