Modification of bitumen properties using polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide (TiO2)

In this study, PEG and TiO2 were used to modify the properties of neat bitumen of grade 60/70. The physical and structural properties of the modified bitumen samples were investigated using penetration by grade, softening point, fire and flash point, ductility, and x-ray diffraction. Results showed that the physical properties of base bitumen were dependent on the polymer content. In the first phase bitumen was blended with PEG at different proportions (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%). It was observed that stiffness in samples increases as we increase the polymer content which leads to a decrease in penetration and ductility values. The softening point increased with increasing polymer concentration. However, fire and flash point attained maximum value of 250 degrees C and 240 degrees C at 6% and decreased to 242 degrees C and 238 degrees C at 8% respectively. The optimal polymer content was found to be 6%. In a second phase, the effects of incorporation of various percentages of TiO2 (1.5% and 3%) in PEG modified bitumen have been investigated. XRD analysis has also been performed for nano and polymer modified bitumen. An increase in the interlayer spacing value (d) was observed which confirms the successful intercalation of PEG in neat bitumen. Incorporation of TiO2 in PEG modified bitumen affects the physical properties of polymer modified bitumen.