The research for thermal behaviour, creep properties and morphology of SBS-modified asphalt

Crosslinker and plasticizer were used to prepare Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) compound-modified asphalt. The physical and rheological properties of modified asphalt were tested, and the morphology observation and thermal analysis were used to study the structural characteristics of modified asphalt further. The physical tests showed that plasticizer (dioctyl phthalate) improved the low-temperature properties of SBS-modified (SM) asphalt and crosslinker (sulphur) improved the stability and elastic recovery of SBS/plasticizer-modified (SPM) asphalt. The SBS/plasticizer/crosslinker-modified (SPCM) asphalt owns better physical properties before and after ageing. The rheological properties were studied by using creep tests. Creep tests indicated that plasticizer declined the deformation resistance of SM asphalt and crosslinker increased the recoverable deformation of SPM asphalt. Morphology observation showed that crosslinker improved the compatibility between SBS and asphalt greatly and ageing prompted the degradation of SBS to a great extent. Thermal analysis showed the effect of plasticizer and crosslinker on the thermal behaviour of SM asphalt, and the calculation for Ea and endothermic peak area showed the structural characteristics of modified asphalt before and after ageing.