Comprehensive Rheological, Thermal, Chemical, and Morphological Characterization of the LDPE-Modified Asphalt Binder

Funding Sponsor

American University in Cairo

Author's Department

Construction Engineering Department

Fifth Author's Department

Construction Engineering Department

Find in your Library

https://doi.org/10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-20406

All Authors

Maram Saudy Minas Guirguis Tarek Madkour Sherif El-Badawy Mohamed Abouzeid

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering

Publication Date

10-1-2025

doi

10.1061/JMCEE7.MTENG-20406

Abstract

Globally, an enormous amount of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste is landfilled, causing drastic environmental impacts. Incorporating LDPE in asphalt binder can mitigate its negative impact on the environment, improve pavement performance, and reduce the life-cycle cost. Many studies have investigated the potential use of LDPE as an asphalt binder modifier, and have produced different, and sometimes contradicting, findings. This research investigated LDPE-modified asphalt binder behavior and characteristics, from different asphalt binder sources and using different techniques, to provide valuable insights into the use of LDPE as an asphalt binder modifier. An experimental program was designed to produce LDPE-modified asphalts. The LDPE-modified asphalts were characterized comprehensively using rheological, chemical, thermal, and microstructural analyses. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and ultraviolet visible near infrared spectroscopy (UV-Vis-NIR) were used to characterize the chemical composition, micromorphology, temperature stability, and light absorption rate of the modified asphalt, respectively. Dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), bending beam rheometer (BBR), and Brookfield rotational viscometer (BRV) tests were employed to characterize the modified asphalts rheologically at different aging levels. The results demonstrate that modifying asphalt binder with LDPE produces a thoroughly homogenous LDPE-modified asphalt binder that typically has enhanced rutting resistance. However, the presence of LDPE may negatively affect the cracking resistance, aging resistance, and thermal stability of the modified asphalt binder. The type (source) of asphalt binder was found to have a significant effect on the LDPE-modified asphalt binder behavior, which can explain some of the contradicting findings found in the literature.

Link to Full Text
Find this item online

Share

COinS