Preparation, properties and modification mechanism of vulcanized eucommia ulmoides gum modified asphalt

Abstract To understand effects of vulcanized eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG) on properties of asphalt, and to reveal modification mechanism of vulcanized EUG on asphalt, the vulcanized EUG modified asphalt was prepared, and the changes in different performances of asphalt were characterized. Test results indicate that as the vulcanized EUG content increases, the anti-rutting performance and crack resistance of asphalt materials are improved. Vulcanized EUG content of 10 wt% is proposed to modify asphalt. The vulcanized EUG absorbs some light components in asphalt to swell. Desulfurization and degradation reactions occur to produce more and smaller EUG molecules, improving its compatibility with asphalt.