Preparation and properties of pre-treated nano-bentonite incorporated styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified asphalt

The composite modification method helped improve the viscoelastic properties, aging resistance, and high and low-temperature resistance of asphalt. In this paper, organic modified bentonite (OBT) was successfully prepared by means of liquid phase grinding. The pre-treated OBT was incorporated with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) to prepare modified asphalt (OBTS-MA). It aims at enhancing the properties of composited modified asphalt with new method. After characterizations, the data of three basic indices indicated that the ductility value of OBTS-MA was significantly increased by 210% compared with the asphalt. ATR-FTIR data showed that the carbonyl content of OBTS-MA was markedly lower than that of the asphalt after aging. Nano-indentation and fluorescence microscopy tests revealed that OBT and SBS formed stable structure in OBTS-MA, which significantly optimized the apparent mechanical properties of modified asphalt. This study provided a new idea for optimizing asphalt modification with potential cost-saving and environmentally friendly characteristics. It also performed good prospects and ecological benefits in the future.