Thermo-mechanical properties improvement of asphalt binder by using methylmethacrylate/ethylene glycol dimethacrylate

Various polymer-modified asphalt compositions for paving and roofing applications are known since several years ago. The degree to which a polymer improves the asphalt’s properties depends on the compatibility of the polymer and the asphalt. Highly compatible polymers are more effective in providing property improvements. In this research, the influence of in situ polymerization of methylmethacrylate monomer with asphalt in presence of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) as a crosslinker on the rheological and thermal properties of asphalt binder of type penetration grade 60/70 was studied. To achieve this aim, MMA/EGDM(MC) in different ratios as 5, 10 and 15% (w/w) were used to modify the thermo-mechanical properties of asphalt via forming chemical bond, and the changing in mechanical and thermal properties, of the mixes as well as the storage stability were studied. Also, the morphology (SEM), thermal characterization (TGA), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), bending and rheological tests were detected. The obtained experimental results revealed that the addition of MC causes both the rheological and thermal properties of the binder to improve and the prepared PMAs has high temperature susceptibility and low curing time. The improvement in the properties of the virgin asphalt will be effective in using this soft type in coating applications instead of highly expensive oxidized one