Journal of the Korean Asphalt Institute ISSN:2234-0785(Print) 2635-9553(Online) 한국아스팔트학회지

We introduce a novel method which could effectively modify a neat asphalt. The method use monomer instead of polymer as a precusor of modifier. A polymer-forming monomer, dimethylphenol(DMP) was added to neat asphalt and polymerization was occurred autonomously, without externally introducing any catalyst for reaction, but just with oxygen molecules in the ambient air. The polymer produced in the asphalt was polyphenyleneoxide(PPO) and it improved the rheological properties of the asphalt. Tests revealed that the rutting resistance of DMP-modified asphalt was increased to 132.2 kPa from 0.5 kPa and temperature against mtting was increased to 98°C from 54°C. Elasticity of the modified asphalt was also enhanced that 8(phase angle) of the modified asphalt was decreased to 59.5° from 73.6° of that of the neat asphalt.