Chemical and physical properties of hot mixing epoxy asphalt binders

Epoxy asphalt binder was prepared by mixing the base asphalt with epoxy resin, curing agent and other additives. The chemical and physical properties for epoxy asphalt binders were investigated. The curing process of epoxy asphalt binder was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The mathematical equations model was employed to analyze the curing process for epoxy asphalt. The Brookfield viscosity tests described the viscosity change of epoxy asphalt binder. Mechanical property of epoxy asphalt binder was studied by the tensile tests. The microstructure of epoxy asphalt binder was researched to observe the phase change by Fluorescence microscopy. The results indicated that the curing process of epoxy asphalt binder can be satisfactorily described by equation. In addition, the viscosity of epoxy asphalt binder can meet the demands for asphalt mixture mixing and paving. The tensile strength of epoxy asphalt binder increased with the curing time up and reached 3 MPa. The elongation at break of epoxy asphalt binder can almost reach 200% above. Meanwhile, the particle size of asphalt binder increased with the curing time up and a stable cross-linking structure was formed in epoxy asphalt binder. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.