The Effect of Nanoclay on Rheological Properties and Storage Stability of SBS-Modified Bitumen

Abstract

Abstract Linear and branched grades of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) triblock copolymer are commonly used for modifying physical, mechanical, and rheological properties of bitumen. Because bitumen and SBS are incompatible, SBS-modified bitumen is not storage stable at elevated temperatures. Incompatibility of branched SBS is greater than linear SBS. To obtain greater compatibility between SBS and bitumen, organophilic montmorillonite/SBS-modified bitumen mixtures, prepared by melt intercalated blending, were used. Results showed that the presence of nanoclay could improve the storage stability, aging, and high-temperature performance of polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) significantly. Of course, this effect can be seen by proper dispersion of organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) in SBS and obtaining a homogenous blend, which is calleed an exfoliated structure. The structure of OMMT/SBS/bitumen blend was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Keywords: exfoliated structurelayered silicatePMBSBSstorage stabilitytriple nanocomposite