Graphene sandwiched crumb rubber dispersed hot mix asphalt

Abstract

The crumb rubber obtained from discarded vehicle tires and graphene oxide prepared by oxidation of graphite powder in laboratory were used to modify virgin bitumen. Four different hot mix asphalt matrices prepared using virgin bitumen, crumb rubber modified bitumen, graphene oxide modified bitumen and combination of crumb rubber-graphene oxide modified bitumen are compared. The modified bitumen matrices are characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy for structural and morphological analysis. Marshall properties along with indirect tensile test and tensile strength ratio tests were carried out to check the resistance towards cracking and moisture susceptibility of matrices. The results show that, crumb rubber and graphene oxide are completely compatible with bitumen. 9.8% crumb rubber content in crumb rubber modified bitumen hot mix asphalt exhibits the optimum result. The performance of graphene oxide modified bitumen hot mix asphalt exhibits superior performance in comparison to control mix and crumb rubber modified bitumen hot mix asphalt samples. The enhanced properties of modified bitumen hot mix asphalt with the combining effect of graphene oxide and crumb rubber, are suitable for road construction.