This paper investigated the modification mechanism of the desulfurized rubber asphalt, and compared its performances with those of crumb rubber asphalt. The microstructures of desulfurized rubber asphalt and crumb rubber asphalt were identified by using the scanning electron microscope technology, component analysis and infrared spectrum analysis. Conventional and Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) performance tests were conducted to evaluate the performances of desulfurized rubber asphalt and crumb rubber asphalt. Mixture performance tests were also performed to characterize the high temperature rutting resistance, low temperature cracking resistance, moisture stability and fatigue life of the desulfurized rubber asphalt mixture and crumb rubber asphalt mixture. It was found that the modification mechanisms of desulfurized rubber asphalt and crumb rubber asphalt are different. The desulfurized rubber can integrate into the asphalt while the crumb rubber mainly exists incompatibly in asphalt. This difference results in the various performances between the desulfurized rubber asphalt and crumb rubber asphalt. Both crumb rubber and desulfurized rubber can improve the performance of asphalt binder and mixture, but the desulfurized rubber asphalt has much lower viscosity and better storage stability than the crumb rubber asphalt. The preparing temperature of the desulfurized rubber asphalt mixture can be reduced by 10 similar to 20A degrees C compared to the crumb rubber asphalt mixture. Moreover, without the interference of solid rubber particles, the desulfurized rubber asphalt can be used in dense-graded asphalt mixture while crumb rubber asphalt mixture tends to use gap gradation with high asphalt content.
