Compositional Effects on the Performance of High-Permeability Emulsified Asphalt for Prime Coat Applications

Area of Science:

• Pavement Engineering
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• High-permeability emulsified asphalt shows potential for improving interlayer bonding in semi-rigid pavements.
• Current limitations include insufficient permeability and variable mechanical properties, hindering widespread adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically investigate the impact of emulsifier type, kerosene content, and diluted asphalt content on emulsified asphalt performance.
• To quantify the influence of these factors and their interactions on key performance metrics using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA).

Main Methods:

• Conducted fundamental physical tests (penetration, softening point, ductility), permeability evaluation, viscosity measurements, and adhesion tests.
• Employed Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) to determine the significance of formulation variables.

Main Results:

• Anionic emulsifiers enhanced low-temperature ductility and permeability.
• Low kerosene content (<10%) improved permeability and viscosity; higher content reduced thermal stability.
• Kerosene dosage was the dominant factor for permeability, softening point, and adhesion; emulsifier type influenced ductility; oil-water ratio affected emulsification and viscosity.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing emulsifier ionic type, kerosene dosage, and diluted asphalt content is crucial for high-performance emulsified asphalt.
• Findings provide a theoretical basis for engineering durable pavement prime coats using tailored emulsified asphalt formulations.