Transformation of Dispersed Oil Systems by the Addition of Synthetic Waxes

Abstract

It was proved that polymer–bitumen binders undergo a structural transformation after the addition of synthetic waxes. UV spectroscopy study showed that wax macromolecules and compounds of the dispersed oil system enter into chemical interactions, which was detected by the disappearance of the absorption band at 260 nm in the UV spectrum of the wax–bitumen blend. This suggested the formation of crosslinked reinforcing spatial structures, which explain the observed improvement in the performance properties of the polymer–bitumen binder after the addition of synthetic waxes: an increase in the softening temperature and brittleness temperature, a decrease in penetration, and an increase in their dynamic viscosity. It was determined that the transformation of the physicochemical characteristics of the polymer–bitumen binder after the addition of wax depends on its chemical nature. Waxes with an aliphatic branched polyethylene structure (Plastobit 430F, Plastowax 200TD, Plastowax 725T, Honeywell Titan 7686) more strongly change the physicochemical characteristics of the polymer–bitumen binder in comparison with waxes of the ProPolymer MA123 and ProPolymer MA-SK-02 brands, which are maleic anhydride–grafted linear polyethylene.