Assessment on Physical and Rheological Properties of Aged SBS Modified Bitumen Containing Rejuvenating Systems of Isocyanate and Epoxy Substances

Abstract

Styrene–butadiene copolymer (SBS)-modified bitumen (SMB) is widely applied in pavement construction. With yearly services, many SMB wastes urgently need to be reclaimed for repaving roads based on the objectives of environmental protection, landfill saving, as well as resource utilization. The present work is focused on the investigation of the physical and rheological properties of aged SMB incorporated with rejuvenating systems consisting of fluid catalytic cracking slurry (FCC slurry), C12–14 aliphatic glycidyl ether (AGE), diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), and other additives. The rejuvenating systems containing the main components of 10% FCC slurry, 10%FCC/3%AGE, and 10%FCC/3%AGE/1% MDI were respectively recorded as Ra, Rb, and Rc. The results indicate that both Rb and Rc have obvious workability that make contributions for improving comprehensive physical properties while slightly reducing the softening point, which were also proven to be effective for the re-rejuvenation of re-aged binder. The higher viscous-elastic temperature caused by the agglomeration of binder molecules in aged SMB could be dropped to a lower value with rejuvenating systems, while improving the low-temperature crack resistance. With the use of the Rb and Rc rejuvenating systems, the high-temperature deformation resistance of aged SMB fell, approaching the performance of fresh SMB. Vibration noise consumption could be improved for aged SMB incorporated with Rb and Rc in the form of viscous loss, while the effects for re-aged SMB containing the same rejuvenating systems were weakened but still effective.