An Accelerated Thermal Oxidative Aging Method for Asphalt Binder under Atmospheric Oxygen-Rich Conditions

Xiaofeng Guo; Zhiqiang Zhang; Shuai Wang; Pengfei Zhao; Meichen Liang

doi:10.6919/ICJE.202609_12(9).0007

Authors

Xiaofeng Guo Inner Mongolia Jiaogong Maintenance Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Hohhot 014016, China
Zhiqiang Zhang Inner Mongolia Jiaogong Maintenance Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Hohhot 014016, China
Shuai Wang Inner Mongolia Jiaogong Maintenance Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Hohhot 014016, China
Pengfei Zhao Inner Mongolia Jiaogong Maintenance Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Hohhot 014016, China
Meichen Liang School of Mechanics and Aeronautics, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Hohhot 010051, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6919/ICJE.202609_12(9).0007

Keywords:

Asphalt Binder; Thermal-Oxidative Aging; Oxygen-Rich Atmosphere; Rheological Properties; Chemical Properties.

Abstract

An exploratory method based on gaseous oxidation was developed for asphalt binder to accelerate thermo-oxidative aging under conditions representative of the field environment. An oxygen-rich atmosphere containing OX and NOX (X=1–3) was generated using a self-developed gas aging vessel (GAV), while atmospheric pressure and realistic summer pavement temperatures were maintained. Rheological and chemical changes were characterized using dynamic shear rheometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, respectively. The rheological assessment included the G-R parameter, complex modulus, creep rate, and stiffness modulus. Additionally, and aging-related functional group indices were determined for asphalt binder. After GAV aging, an increase in complex modulus was accompanied by improved resistance to permanent deformation. In contrast, fatigue resistance decreased at intermediate-temperatures, while susceptibility to cracking increased at low-temperatures. Compared with standard laboratory short-term aging, GAV aging produced substantially greater changes in both chemical and rheological properties. After 72 h of GAV aging, the sulfoxide index, aging index, stiffness modulus at -18 °C, and G-R parameter increased by 70%, 49%, 36%, and 24%, respectively. The proposed GAV method can accelerate the thermo-oxidative aging of asphalt binder while maintaining temperature and pressure conditions close to those encountered in the field.

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