Evolution of Rheological Behaviors of Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene/Crumb Rubber Composite Modified Bitumen after Different Long-Term Aging Processes

Abstract

In this study, a new type of composite modified bitumen was developed by blending styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and crumb rubber (CR) with a chemical method to satisfy the durability requirements of waterproofing material in the waterproofing layer of high-speed railway subgrade. A pressure-aging-vessel test for 20, 40 and 80 h were conducted to obtain bitumen samples in different long-term aging conditions. Multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) tests, linear amplitude scanning tests and bending beam rheometer tests were conducted on three kinds of asphalt binders (SBS modified asphalt, CR modified asphalt and SBS/CR composite modified asphalt) after different long-term aging processes, including high temperature permanent deformation performance, resistance to low temperature thermal and fatigue crack. Meanwhile, aging sensitivities were compared by different rheological indices. Results showed that SBS/CR composite modified asphalt possessed the best properties before and after aging. The elastic property of CR in SBS/CR composite modified asphalt improved the ability to resist low temperature thermal and fatigue cracks at a range of low and middle temperatures. Simultaneously, the copolymer network of SBS and CR significantly improved the elastic response of the asphalt SBS/CR modified asphalt at a range of high temperatures. Furthermore, all test results indicated that the SBS/CR modified asphalt possesses the outstanding ability to anti-aging. SBS/CR is an ideal kind of asphalt to satisfy the demand of 60 years of service life in the subgrade of high speed railway.