Microstructure and performance of crumb rubber modified asphalt

Crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA) was prepared by matrix asphalt preblending process (MAPP) which uses matrix asphalt as swelling agent in this study. Effects of the proportion of preblending matrix asphalt and properties of crumb rubber on performance of CRMA have been investigated. Scanning electronic microscope (SEM) and fluorescence microscope were adopted to characterize the microstructures of crumb rubber powder and CRMA, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the CRMA have better performance compared with matrix asphalt; the properties of crumb rubber display significant effects on the performance of CRMA, performance of CRMA are improved with the decrease of ash content and the increase of acetone extract. SEM graphs of crumb rubber pre and post preblending demonstrated that the morphological characteristic of preblended crumb rubber powder is obviously different from rubber powder without preblending, and the properties of rubber elastomeric are recovered and improved significantly. Micrographs of CRMB prepared under different conditions showed that compared with CRMB prepared by the traditional preparation process, the scattering state of rubber powder and matrix asphalt in CRMB prepared by MAPP is excellent, even and perfect polymer reticular structure is formed in the sample system. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.