Effects of nanoclay and nanocomposites on bitumen rheological properties

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2016-10, Vol.125, p.873-883
• Main Authors: Farias, Luísa Gardênia A.T., Leitinho, Janaina L., Amoni, Bruno de C., Bastos, Juceline B.S., Soares, Jorge B., Soares, Sandra de A., de Sant'Ana, Hosiberto B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Bituminous materials; Chemical properties; Mechanical properties; Montmorillonite; Organo montmorillonite; Rheological properties; Rheology; SBS/nanoclay modified bitumen
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2016.08.127

•SBS modified bitumen prepared in the laboratory presented phase separation.•Cloisite nanoclay improves storage stability of SBS modified bitumen.•The additives improve the resistance to rutting and elasticity of the bitumen.•SBS/nanoclays support a Standard traffic. Nanoclays have been successfully introduced into the asphalt, either separated or in the form of polymer/bitumen blends, improving mechanical and rheological properties. In this paper, the organoclay montmorillonite (OMMT) was prepared to be used as an additive for bitumen and for a polymer modified bitumen. A nanoclay Cloisite® 20Å (CLO), was also investigated for comparison purposes. A bitumen was modified with 4% nanoclays (OMMT and CLO), with 4% SBS, and with 4% SBS/nanoclay. All modified bitumens (MB) exhibited higher G∗ and lower δ, indicating an improvement in the stiffness and in the elasticity. SBS/Nanoclay MB presented similar rheological behavior compared to SBS MB which may result in cost savings. The addition of SBS and SBS/OMMT resulted in increase in PG grade and decrease in non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr) indicating a better rut resistant compared to pure bitumen.