Self-monitoring electrically conductive asphalt-based composite containing carbon fillers

A new novel function materials, structure self-monitoring asphalt-based composite was introduced. The results show that the output resistance of electrically conductive asphalt-based composites would change under cyclic loading and vehicle loading action. The resistance change of conductive asphalt-based composites was aroused by the variation of its interior structure. When the fatigue failure was studied, the larger cracks cut the continuous electrically conductive path and the electron is difficult to overcome the potential barrier of gap. In the early period, the slight deformation and microcrack may be recovered due to the viscoelasticity character of asphalt, which leads to some cracks close again, the output resistance changes a little. But with the shear process performs continuously, the cracks become larger and larger, which would cut the conductive path and block off the transition of electrons, and if the cracks are large enough, the pitch-matrix composites containing carbon fillers will lose electrically conductive function. When the rutting failure was studied, the flowage of conductive substance results in the decrease of substance due to electrically conducting and conductive path decreasing. The decrease of electron volume contribute to electrically conducting and large stone aggregate prevent the electron from transiting. In a word, the variation of output resistance is aroused by the variation of interior structure completely.