Evaluation of ageing effects in polymer-modified bitumen using rheological, chemical, and morphological analyses
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The growing use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in sustainable pavement construction raises important challenges related to the presence and activity of polymers in aged binders. In particular, the long-term performance of mixtures depends on whether polymer-modified binders in RAP retain their functionality after ageing. This study investigates the evolution of a commercial styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS)–modified binder during ageing and compares it with a RAP binder of unknown original composition, and with an unmodified binder. The SBS binders were subjected to laboratory ageing, and their response was evaluated using a combination of rheological, chemical, and morphological analyses. The Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) was used to assess changes in dynamic modulus and phase angle, while Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to examine chemical modifications within the polymer–bitumen matrix. Fluorescence Microscopy (FM) enabled quantitative evaluation of the polymer network, including particle density, size distribution, and morphology. The key contribution of this work is the introduction of quantitative FM parameters for polymer detection and network morphology in polymer-modified binders (PMB), integrated with established rheological and chemical indicators to form a unified framework for evaluating polymer presence in unaged or aged binders, including RAP binders. The results demonstrate that ageing causes significant restructuring in PMBs, as evidenced by reduced polymer peak intensities in FTIR, disintegration of the polymer network in FM, and diminished polymer network activity in the phase-angle master curve.
Source: Transportation research procedia
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204176802