Preparation and Performance Test of UV Resistant Composite-Modified Asphalt

Ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of degradation in asphalt pavement. To improve the performance of the pavement used in the strong ultraviolet (UV) region of the western plateau, China, this study explores the effects of adding nano-montmorillonite and carbon black to SBS-modified asphalt. Through conventional index detection, dynamic shear rheological tests, low-temperature bending creep tests, and UV aging tests, the high- and low-temperature performance, fatigue performance, UV aging resistance, and other aspects of the asphalt were studied. Various performance and price factors were considered in the optimization of various UV resistant composite-modified asphalt formulas. Increasing the contents of nano-montmorillonite and carbon black increases the high-temperature performance and the UV aging resistance but reduces the low-temperature and fatigue performance of asphalt; hence, their total content should be limited to <4%. Nano-montmorillonite has a better high-temperature performance and UV aging resistance than carbon black and is also less favorable to low-temperature and fatigue performance. Hence, it is recommended that its content not exceed 3%. UV resistant composite-modified asphalt has obvious advantages in high-temperature performance and UV aging resistance compared with conventional SBS-modified asphalt, and its low-temperature performance meets the use requirements of the strong-UV areas in the western plateau.