Oxidative aging of bitumen: a structural and chemical investigation

The oxidative aging of bitumen was investigated chemically and structurally using SARA analysis, TOF-SIMS AFM. Typical wax-containing non-waxy samples were selected. Short- long-term tests conducted under standard conditions, at prolonged times. For both the bitumen, significantly decreases aromatic fraction same time increase content resins asphaltenes. AFM shows bee-like structures on surface, these change when binder is aged. bee are fewer but larger after a PAV. no observed, even not severe PAV that increased asphaltenes significantly. This implies most likely responsible for formation structures. By TOF-SIMS, surface did show structures, neither in virgin state nor aging, further supporting do directly result structure formation. aliphatics-enriched which generally become aging.