Effect of rejuvenators on performance and microstructure of aged asphalt

A composite rejuvenator was used for the rejuvenation of aged asphalt in comparison with the common rejuvenator. The effects of the rejuvenators on the performance and microstructure of the aged asphalt were investigated by physical properties tests, dynamic shear rheometer and atomic force microscopy. The results indicate that the physical and rheological properties of the aged asphalt are restored more significantly by the composite rejuvenator than the common rejuvenator, which can be ascribed to the effective recovery of microstructure of the aged asphalt. The composite rejuvenator has the potential to be used for the rejuvenation of severely aged asphalt since it can restore the colloidal structure of the aged asphalt effectively through composition regulation and chemical reactions between the composite rejuvenator and asphaltenes.