Effect of an Organic Rectorite on the Properties of a Waste Engine Oil-Modified Asphalt

Abstract

Using waste engine oil (WEO) to partially replace petroleum-based asphalt binders offers a promising solution to mitigate the environmental impact of waste WEO while reducing the dependence on non-renewable asphalt resources. To enhance the comprehensive properties of a modified asphalt containing 6 wt% WEO, an organic rectorite (OREC) with various contents was introduced to the modified asphalt system. The effect of OREC on the structure, storage stability, rheological properties, and self-healing property of WEO-modified asphalt were evaluated using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, softening point instrument, and rheometer. The results demonstrated that that no chemical reaction occurs between OREC and WEO-modified asphalt. The addition of OREC can enhance the storage stability and high-temperature stability while marginally decreasing the low-temperature cracking resistance and self-healing properties of WEO-modified asphalt. When the content of OREC increases to 2 wt%, the 48 h softening point difference value of the OREC + WEO composite-modified asphalt drops to 1.8 °C, and this composite-modified asphalt exhibits superior high-temperature rutting resistance, low-temperature cracking resistance, and self-healing property compared to the corresponding base asphalt. In summary, the addition of OREC can effectively offset the adverse effects of WEO on the properties of base asphalt.