Influence of compatibilizer component on the properties of modified asphalt for disposable medical masks

Due to the impact of COVID-19, there has been a significant increase in the production of disposable medical masks (DMM), resulting in substantial environmental damage. To address this environmental concern, numerous scholars have conducted research on the performance of DMM modified asphalt. However, there is still a lack of research regarding the influence of compatibilizer components on the performance of DMM modified asphalt. In this study, compatibilizers-B, C, and D, each with different ratios of components, were prepared by blending compatibilizer A (enriched in saturated components) with compatibilizer E (enriched in aromatics). The effects of these different compatibilizers on the properties of DMM modified asphalt were further investigated. Firstly, the high-temperature rheological properties of various samples were studied through the dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test. Additionally, the mechanism of DMM modified asphalt properties under the influence of different compatibilizer components was investigated by fluorescence microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests. The performance of DMM modified asphalt in the presence of various compatibilizers was evaluated by conventional experiments. Finally, an infrared spectroscopy test was conducted to calculate the carbonyl and sulphoxide group indexes and to study the high-temperature stability of the DMM modified asphalt under the influence of different components of compatibilizer. The results indicate that the higher the aromatic content in the compatibilizer, the lower the glass transition temperature of DMM modified asphalt, leading to improved low-temperature performance. Enhanced crosslinking and dispersion of DMM fibers in the asphalt result in improved high-temperature stability and thermodynamic behavior. Comparing the samples of compatibilizer-D (48.54% aromatic compounds) and compatibilizer-E (72.82% aromatic compounds), DMM modified asphalt initially exhibits an increase in both softening point and Brookfield viscosity, followed by a decrease. Meanwhile, the penetration value shows the opposite trend, with an improvement in storage stability. •The recycling of discarded medical masks in asphalt pavement materials was promoted.•The key point of improving the compatibility of DMM modified asphalt was studied.•The mechanism of DMM modified asphalt under different compatibilizer was studied.•The optimal ratio of compatibilizer components for DMM modified asphalt was confirmed