Study of the properties of nanomaterials

To improve physical and mechanical properties of pavements new materials with nanomodified additives are being actively developed. The authors are investigating the properties of road petroleum bitumen with nanomaterial Taunit. At the initial stage, oil bitumen was heated to 100о C. Then carbon nanomaterial «Taunit» was added. After that, the mixture was stirred in an ultrasonic homogenizer until even distribution of the carbon nanomaterial in the total volume. The process of cooling of the final structure was carried out until the end of the crystallization process. Then, the specimens are exposed to tension and strength tests with a constant rate of deformation or loading until the moment of rupture on the testing machines. Mixing with other components of asphalt concrete in the standard mode follows the nanomodification of the bituminous mixture. Under increased temperatures the bitumen mixture keeps properties of an effective binder. It was revealed that the modified carbon bitumen has good thermal properties, namely, it has a higher softening temperature (Δt is in the range from 6 to 10ºС). The indicator, which indirectly characterizes the degree of hardness of bitumen solutions, is within the limits of GOST standards, decreases by 15–20%.