Estimating the Asphalt Binder Film Thickness Using Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy

Asphalt binder film thickness has relation to mixing temperature and content in hot mix asphalt, which influences mixture’s performance. A significant variation assessing the asphalt been observed literature. Development of state art technology Superpave specification requires study actual at micro-level. This estimates micro-level compares results with those obtained through analytical models from previous studies. The utilizes different mixtures various temperatures contents. around finest particles 500 nm (0.5 micron) size mastic was detected measured by image analysis (using scanning electron microscope) elemental energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) magnifying power ×30,000. estimation revealed that for aforementioned conditions varies 9 μm 13 μm, a fair relationship temperature. However, 0.5 2.4 no showed mostly contain mortar mastic, occurring irregular shape. It also found does exist as separate entity inside form band filler non-absorbed binder, fills approximate distance 2.5 microns among particles.