Thermal and rheological properties of nanoparticle modified asphalt binder at low and intermediate temperature range

ABSTRACT There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the effect of nanoparticles on the performance of asphalt binder against fatigue and low-temperature cracking. In this research, asphalt binders were modified using SiO2, TiO2, and CaCO3 nanoparticles, and rheological and thermal properties of the modified binders were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to determine glass transition temperature, and rheological properties at low and intermediate temperatures were determined using bending beam and dynamic shear rheometers, respectively. The results suggested that the addition of these nanoparticles increases glass transition temperature and the low-temperature stiffness of asphalt binder. Furthermore, increase in complex shear modulus and decrease in phase angle values were observed at intermediate temperatures. It can be concluded that inferior performance at low and intermediate temperature is expected by the addition of nanoparticles to asphalt binder.