Characterization and thermal behavior of polymer-modified asphalt

Abstract

A styrene-butadiene-styrene modified asphalt cement was characterized by infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and empirical tests such as ring and ball softening point, penetration and elastic recovery. After aging in the rolling thin-film oven, the polymer-modified asphalt presented structural changes relating to oxidation of the material. The infrared spectra showed an increase in hydroxyl groups and the formation of carbonyl compounds and sulphoxides. The percentage of crystallized fraction calculated from differential scanning calorimetry was 0.41%. Thermogravimetric analyses in inert and oxidative atmospheres revealed distinct events during thermal decomposition; the initial activation energies were similar, but changed as the process evolved.