Asphalt rheology evolution through thermo-oxidation (aging) in a rheo-reactor

X.A. Vargas (1, 2) , N. Afanasjeva (3) , M. Alvarez (2) , Ph. Marchal (1) , L. Choplin (1)

1 GEMICO - Centre de Génie Chimique des Milieux Rhéologiquement Complexes
2 GIAS - Grupo de Investigación en Asfaltos
3 Departamento de Quimica

In this research we present the results of thermo-oxidation process of Colombian asphalt in a rheo-reactor. The viscosity and the particle size distribution of asphaltenes aggregates increased with the temperature of the thermo-oxidation process, demonstrating changes of the microstructure of the asphalt. The evolution of the elastic and viscous modules for aging asphalt in the rheo-reactor in the range of frequency examinated, they showed a relation of the type: G″(ω) not, vert, similar G′(ω) not, vert, similar ωn. This behavior with G″ > G′ ('weak gel' structure) is related to a greater connectivity of molecules and confirms the changes generated by aging process.

Mots clés: Rheo-reactor; Thermo-oxidation; Aging asphalt

Domaines: Génie des procédés

X.A. Vargas, N. Afanasjeva, M. Alvarez, Ph. Marchal, L. Choplin. Asphalt rheology evolution through thermo-oxidation (aging) in a rheo-reactor. Fuel, 2008, 87 (13-14), pp.3018-3023. ⟨10.1016/j.fuel.2008.04.026⟩. ⟨hal-00441119⟩