Engineering Physical Properties of Asphalt Binders through Nanoclay–Asphalt Interactions

Abstract

Increasing traffic volumes, heavier loads, higher tire pressures, and performance problems with asphalt concrete mixtures under adverse conditions are leading state highway departments to using modified binders to enhance the physical properties of asphalt mix. This paper reports the advantages of modified nanoclays (NC) as asphalt modifiers. Dynamic mechanical analysis, flexural creep stiffness, and flexural tests were conducted on the NC-asphalt nanocomposite. In addition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) testing was conducted to evaluate the nature of the interactions between NC and asphalt. Increasing NC concentration in asphalt enhances temperature susceptibility of asphalt, as well as increasing the complex modulus in addition to decreasing phase angle. FTIR experiments indicate a significant change in