Effects of nanoclay on rheological properties of bitumen binder

Nanoclays are the new generation of processed clays of interest in a wide range of high performance composites. In other words, nanoclay is defined as clay that can be modified to make the clay complexes compatible with organic monomers and polymers. Here, it can be said that the polymeric nanocomposites are among the most exciting and promising classes of materials discovered recently. A number of physical properties can be enhanced successfully when as a polymer is modified with small amount of nanoclay on condition that the clay is dispersed at nanoscopic level. This research has accomplished a comparative rheological test on the unmodified and nanoclay modified bitumen. For that matter, so, two types of nanoclay were used: nanofil-15 and cloisite-15A. The nanostructure exfoliation of nanoclay platelets in bitumen has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD). In the present research, although the empirical rheological test on bitumen are penetration, softening point, ductility and ageing effect, the fundamental rheological test by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) is conducted on modified and unmodified bitumen. Test results show that while nanoclay changes rheological properties of bitumen and increases stiffness, it also decreases angle phase and improves ageing resistances, as well.