Experimental investigation on the performance of the asphalt mixture with ceramic fiber

Ceramic fiber (CF) as a kind of industrial waste is widely used for the sake of waste utilization and environmental protection. In this study, three kinds of industrial waste ceramic fibers, CF-A (NC1260 spinning CF), CF-B (NC1260 blowing CF), and CF-C (NC1430 spinning CF), were used to develop a ceramic fiber modified asphalt mixture (CFMAM) to meet the increasing demand for asphalt pavement construction. Firstly, the opti-mum asphalt content of the CFMAM was determined by the mix design with the 0.3%wt fiber content. Secondly, the high-temperature stability and low-temperature cracking resistance of CFMAM were evaluated by rutting test, beam bending test and splitting test, respectively. The results showed that the CF-A and CF-C had the same positive influences on the mechanical properties and pavement performance of asphalt mixture, while the CF-B exhibited fewer positive influences. Then, the moisture susceptibility performance was tested by immersed Marshall test and freeze-thaw splitting test. The CFMAM with CF-A showed better properties than that of CF-B, CF-C, and virgin asphalt binder. Finally, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) experiment was conducted to analyze the adsorption effect of fiber on asphalt mortar and the reinforcement effect on the mixture. It was observed that the fiber and asphalt had good wettability and dispersibility in the mixture.

Automated summary

In this study, a ceramic fiber modified asphalt mixture (CFMAM) was developed using three types of industrial waste ceramic fibers. The CF-A and CF-C showed positive influences on the mechanical properties and pavement performance of the asphalt mixture, while CF-B had fewer positive influences. CFMAM with CF-A exhibited better properties than CF-B, CF-C, and virgin asphalt binder. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the good wettability and dispersibility of the fiber and asphalt in the mixture.