Effects of Nanocomposites on the High Temperature Rheological Properties of a PG58 Asphalt-Binder

Based on numerous research studies, superior properties such as stability, bonding, resistance, durability, etc have been observed with substances whose sizes are measured in nano-scale due to their high specific surface area; which maximizes active interaction between the nanoparticles and their environment. In this study, the high temperature rheological properties of a nanocomposite modified PG58 asphalt were evaluated in the laboratory. Compared to a conditioned base asphalt-binder, there was significant improvement in both the high temperature properties and the performance grade of the nanocomposite modified asphalt. These changes in the high temperature properties were primarily associated with the changes in the asphalt-binder morphology due to the presence of the nanocomposite and depended directly on the quality of the nanocomposite, concentration of the nanotubes, and its distribution in the asphalt-binder.