Effect of filler properties on the hydrothermal ageing of bituminous mastics

Aikaterini Varveri, Ruxin Jing, Giulia Tarsi, Sandra Erkens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)
71 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Moisture sorption can significantly influence hydrothermal ageing and alter the chemical and rheological properties of bituminous mastics. Mineral filler particles are added to bituminous binders to form mastics with increased stiffness. The addition of fillers can considerably change the moisture sorption and the physico-chemical properties of binders by surface interactions and physical presence. This study aims to investigate the effect of filler type on the moisture-induced changes of bituminous mastics after wetting-drying cycles by means of sorption, rheological and infrared spectrometry tests. The results show that mineral fillers with higher diffusivity increase the overall capacity of mastics to absorb moisture, but at the same time allow for moisture desorption during drying. Nevertheless, it has been found that it is not the diffusivity properties but rather the bitumen and filler interactions that control the hydrothermal ageing of the mastics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)S2-S22
Number of pages22
JournalRoad Materials and Pavement Design
Volume22
Issue numberS1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Bituminous mastics
  • chemistry
  • mineral fillers
  • moisture
  • rheology
  • wetting-drying cycles

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of filler properties on the hydrothermal ageing of bituminous mastics'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this