Complementary improvement of technological characteristics of asphalt concrete road surfaces using macromolecular nanocomposites

Introduction. The issue of enhancing the long-term performance of asphalt concrete pavement on highways is not entirely addressed by conventional solutions, such as improving the choice of material composition and refining the production process for bitumen binders and mineral filler compounds. One of the most promising ways to improve the performance and durability of asphalt concrete is the complementary modification of bitumen and road-concrete nanocompositions with thermoplastic and elastic polymers. Methods and materials. Bitumen binders are assessed employing suitable methodologies to determine the following technological parameters: extensibility, softening temperature, brittleness, elasticity, and so forth. Asphaltenes of bitumen binders are the most important structure-forming component and form associated nanoclusters with sizes of 15–200 nm. Thermoplastic block copolymers are introduced into the composition of bitumen binders in granular form (chips) or melted form. Additionally, compatibilizers are used to improve the compatibility of complementary copolymers in bitumen binders. The quality of the finished asphalt concrete composition is significantly affected by the characteristics of the main components: mineral powder, sand, crushed stone, bitumen binder and macromolecular nano-additives, as well as by optimal process modes: mixing temperature, etc. Results. The complementary interaction of supramolecular associations of asphaltenes and fragments of macromolecules of polymer nanocomposites ensures the formation of Van der Waals bonds due to spatial mutual correspondence. The introduction of polymer nanomodifiers leads to an increase in the softening temperature and a decrease in the brittleness temperature of bitumen binders due to the formation of sufficiently stable supramolecular complexes. Discussion. Synergistic nanoadditives of complementary macromolecules into the bitumen binder provides a fewfold increase in the adhesion of the bitumen composition and the mineral components, as well as a noticeable increase of the temperature range for plasticity and deformability. Asphalt concrete coatings with polymer-bitumen binders increase the operability of the roadway and resistance to the formation of plastic flow deformations (shifts, ruts) at high and low temperatures. Conclusion. Bitumen binders of asphalt road concrete, which have been modified with polymer nanocomposites, have higher adhesion, an extended range of thermoplasticity and water resistance.