Study on the amorphous poly alpha olefin (APAO) modified asphalt binders

This paper investigated the influence of amorphous poly alpha olefin (APAO) on the properties of modified asphalt binders. Two types of APAOs with different viscosities were selected. The penetration, softening point, ductility, elastic recovery, viscosity, storage stability, short-term aging, fluorescent microscope, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum tests of asphalt samples were carried out in the study. It is found that APAO improves the high-temperature performance and reduced the temperature susceptibility of the modified asphalt binder. The storage stability of APAO modified asphalt is dependent on the APAO loading level. And the addition of APAO into base asphalt improves the short-term aging characteristics. The micrograph indicates low loading level of APAO has good dispersion in the asphalt binder. And FTIR result presents that the mixing of APAO and base asphalt do not have any chemical reaction. However, APAO has negative effect on the low-temperature performance of modified asphalt binder. It is recommended that more work is needed to explore this issue.