Adhesion forces in asphalt mixtures at nanoscale - Texas A&M University (TAMU) Scholar

The adhesion forces between bitumen and minerals were measured using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Specifically, the interactions between two molecules in a same surface or at interfaces and their behavior were investigated. Bitumen samples with different properties were placed in contact with AFM modified tips, which were fabricated with minerals found in aggregates used in asphalt mixtures, e.g., SiO2 and CaCO3. The work of adhesion was obtained by measuring adhesion forces for each bitumen-mineral pair. Some bitumen samples showed a higher work of adhesion with SiO2 than with CaCO3 while an opposite behavior was observed for the other bitumen sample which developed a higher work of adhesion with CaCO3 than with SiO2. A good correlation between the nitrogen content in bitumen and the strength of the bonds formed with minerals was observed, which helps to better understand the adhesion phenomena between bitumen and different minerals present in asphalt mixtures. Also, these results will help to reduce the main distresses present in pavements.

López Contreras, Y. F., Chaves Guerrero, A., Akbulut, M., Cheng, Z., & Hoyos Marín, L. J.

López Contreras, Yuly Fernanda||Chaves Guerrero, Arlex||Akbulut, Mustaka||Cheng, Zhengdong||Hoyos Marín, Luis Javier

Adhesion forces in asphalt mixtures at nanoscale Academic Article