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Warm Mix Asphalt Binder Utilizing Water Foaming and Fluxing Using Bio-Derived Agent
Marek Iwański1, Anna Chomicz-Kowalska1, Krzysztof Maciejewski1
1Department of Transportation Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Kielce University of Technology, 25-314 Kielce, Poland.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 23, 2022
Summary
Mechanical foaming and bio-derived fluxing agents significantly alter asphalt binder properties. While foaming effects are temporary, fluxing agents cause lasting changes, improving highly modified binders but degrading standard and polymer-modified ones.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Asphalt binder modification is crucial for pavement performance.
- Investigating sustainable additives like bio-derived fluxing agents is gaining traction.
- Understanding the combined effects of foaming and fluxing on diverse asphalt binders is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of simultaneous mechanical foaming and bio-derived fluxing on three distinct asphalt binders.
- To assess both short-term and long-term property changes after treatment.
- To determine the differential effects on paving-grade, polymer-modified, and highly modified asphalt binders.
Main Methods:
- Three asphalt binders (50/70, 45/80-55, 45/80-80) were subjected to mechanical foaming with water and fluxing with a bio-derived agent.
- Binder consistency was assessed using penetration, ring and ball softening point, Fraass breaking point, and dynamic viscosity.
- Performance characteristics were evaluated via Superpave critical temperatures and multiple stress creep recovery tests, both immediately and after 14 days.
Main Results:
- Mechanical foaming alone exhibited only transient effects on asphalt binder properties.
- The bio-derived fluxing agent induced significant and lasting changes in binder consistency and performance.
- The 50/70 and 45/80-55 binders experienced severe performance degradation, especially at high temperatures.
- The 45/80-80 highly modified binder showed improved performance across all tested characteristics, particularly after 14 days.
Conclusions:
- Simultaneous foaming and fluxing with bio-derived agents have distinct effects on different asphalt binder types.
- The fluxing agent's impact is more significant and persistent than that of foaming.
- Highly modified asphalt binders may benefit from this combined treatment, showing enhanced performance, while standard and polymer-modified binders may be negatively affected.
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