Investigation of the optimum modification parameters for SBS-modified asphalt nanocomposites

The aim of this study is to determine the optimum modification parameters of polymer modified asphalt nanocomposites. For this purpose, bitumen was modified with SBS and nanoclay. The modification processes were carried out at three different temperatures (160, 170 and 180°C), for three different times (60, 90 and 120 min) and at three different shearing speeds (3000, 4000 and 5000 rpm). The SBS modified nanocomposites were subjected to conventional and superpave binder tests. Storage stability, penetration, ductility, softening point, bending beam rheometer (BBR), dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and RTFOT (short-term aging) and PAV (long-term aging) tests were conducted before and after aging. The experimental results indicated that variations in modification parameters led to observable differences in the performance of the modified bitumen. When all experimental results were evaluated, it was determined that the nanocomposites prepared at 180°C temperature, 120 min modification time and 5000 rpm cutting speed exhibited the highest performance.