Preparation and characterization of polyurethane-modified asphalt containing dynamic covalent bonds

Self-healing behavior of binder has important potential for promoting low-carbon service and extending service life of asphalt pavement. A novel self-healing polyurethane modified asphalt with dynamic covalent bonds was prepared in this work. The chemical structure, thermal-oxygen stability, rheological properties, fatigue properties and self-healing capability of polyurethane modified asphalt with dynamic covalent bonds were systemically investigated through Fourier infrared spectrum test, thermal gravimetric test, dynamic shear rheology test, linear amplitude sweep(LAS) test and multiple fatigue-healing-fatigue test. The result indicates disulfide dynamic covalent bond and oxime urethane dynamic covalent bond were successfully introduced into polyurethane cross-linking structure in asphalt, and the thermal-oxygen stability of asphalt has a significant increase after modification under the environmental conditions of construction and service. Rheological properties analysis suggests the introduction of dynamic covalent bonds is beneficial to improve the low-temperature toughness of polyurethane modified asphalt, and enhances its low-temperature cracking resistance. LAS analysis indicates the fatigue life of polyurethane modified asphalt can also be lengthened by over 70% at different strain levels(1.5%, 2.5% and 5%) with the introduction of dynamic covalent bonds, which is attributed to the excellent conformation adjustment ability and stress dissipation ability of dynamic cross-linking structure in asphalt. The multiple fatigue-healing-fatigue test shows the self-healing capability of polyurethane modified asphalt has an improvement with the introduction of dynamic covalent bonds, especially at the later stage with serious fatigue damage, and oxime urethane dynamic covalent bond shows the better contribution effect as compared with disulfide bond. This is due to the reversible fracture-rearrangement characteristics of dynamic covalent bonds. This work provides a new idea for improving the self-healing capacity and rheological properties of binder, reducing the frequency of pavement maintenance and extending the pavement service life.