Studying the loading impact of silane grafted Fe2O3 nanoparticles on mechanical characteristics of epoxy matrix

This study investigates the loading impact of iron oxide (IO) and silane treated iron oxide (SIO) nanoparticles on thermal, mechanical and morphological behavior of epoxy matrix. Both IO and SIO nanoparticles were loaded with 1, 3 and 5 wt% from the total weight of epoxy matrix. The morphology of IO, and SIO epoxy nanocomposites are investigated by TEM. FTIR spectra are successfully able to confirm the good chemical interaction between SIO nanoparticles and epoxy matrix. Thermal resistance of epoxy IO, and SIO nanocomposites is studied by TGA. The mechanical properties of prepared nanocomposites including storage modulus, tan δ, stress-strain curves and toughness are studied using DMA at temperature range 25 °C–100 °C. The results approved that loading 3 wt% of SIO nanoparticles improved the morphological, thermal resistance and mechanical characteristics of epoxy matrix. Keywords: Iron oxide nanoparicles, Epoxy nanocomposites, Modulus, Toughness, Thermal stabilit

Enhancing the performance of blown asphalt binder using waste EVA copolymer (WEVA)

Air blowing of asphalt generally decreases the penetration value of asphalt binder so that asphalt becomes more brittle and more susceptible to crack during thermal cycling. The aim of this study is to improve the elasticity of blown asphalt upon blending with 3%, 5%, and 7% by weight of thermoplastic waste EVA copolymer (WEVA). Physico-chemical characteristics of blended samples like (FTIR and TGA) were discussed. In addition, the physical properties including penetration test, softening point, ductility test, and elastic recovery were studied. The chemical constituents of asphalt binder including oils, resins, and asphaltenes fractions were investigated using solvent extraction technique. Also, the flow properties of dynamic viscometer at different shear rate were also measured. Moreover, the mechanical properties including storage modulus, tan δ, and stress relaxation were analyzed with dynamic mechanical analyzer at temperature range (20 °C–80 °C). The sample blended with 5%WEVA demonstrated an enhancement in storage modulus and elastic recovery and decrease in tan δ. Finally the prepared blends were applied on carbon steel panel, the paints showed an improvement in properties such as flexibility, hardness and drying times with good adhesion. The overall results approved that blending with 5 wt% (WEVA) improve the performance of blown asphalt binder. Keywords: Air blowing, Crack, Elasticity, Storage modulus, Hardness, Waste ethylene vinyle acetate copolymer (WEVA

Evaluation and application of surfactants synthesized from asphalt components

The synthesis, characterization, surface activity and applications of nonionic surfactants derived from the asphalt components (maltenes M) are presented. These compounds were synthesized by the sulfonation of (maltene), then the prepared maltene sulfonic acid (MS) was reacted with hexadecylamine giving maltene sulfonamide product (A) which undergoes an alkali-catalyzed ethoxylation at (135–150 °C). Several surfactants (M-10 to M-40) were formed with different ethylene oxide units (from 10 up to 40) and were characterized by molecular weight determinations, elemental analyses and FTIR analysis. Surface tension, as a function of concentration of the surfactants in the aqueous media, was measured at 25 °C. From these measurements, the critical micelle concentration (CMC), the maximum surface excess concentration (Гmax), Minimum area per molecule (Amin), effectiveness of surface reduction (ПCMC) and the efficiency (pC20) were calculated. The prepared surfactants were applied as emulsifying agents for making asphalt emulsions. Storage stability, (Saybolt Furol) viscosity, settlement (water content difference %), coating ability and water resistance were measured. The results indicated that M-20 (maltene sulfonamide ethoxylated with 20 units of ethylene oxides) gives a maximum stability

Partial substitution of asphalt pavement with modified sulfur

The use of sulfur in pavement laying was developed in 1980 but it was restricted in the late 19th century due to its environmental problems and its high reactivity toward oxidation processes which give sulfuric acid products that are capable of destroying the asphalt mixture. The study involved the conversion of elemental sulfur to a more stable modified one using a combination of byproducts of olefin hydrocarbons that were obtained from petroleum fractional distillates and cyclic hydrocarbon bituminous residue at 145 °C. The changes in the structural characteristics and morphology of prepared modified sulfur were studied using XRD and SEM respectively. Also DSC curves help us to elucidate the changes in sulfur phases from α-orthorhombic to β-mono clinic structure. The technique of nanoindentation helps us to compare the mechanical properties of modified and pure sulfur including modulus of elasticity and hardness. The hot mixture asphalt designs were prepared according to the Marshall Method in which the asphalt binder content was partially substituted with 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% modified sulfur. The mechanical properties were measured including Marshall Stability, flow, air voids, and Marshall Stiffness. From the overall study, the results indicated that asphalt could partially be substituted with modified sulfur with no significant deleterious effect on performance and durability of hot mixed asphalt