Preparation and properties of styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer/kaolinite clay compound and asphalt modified with the compound

Styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer (SBS)/kaolinite clay (KC) compounds were prepared using a mixing technique. The effects of SBS/KC ratio and mixing temperature on the mechanical properties of the compounds and the distribution of molecular weight of SBS were investigated. The compounds were successfully used to improve the high-temperature storage stability of asphalts as compared with pure SBS modified asphalts. The improvement in high-temperature storage stability could be attributed to the KC in the SBS/KC compounds for it decreased the difference of densities between SBS and asphalt. The effects of KC on the high-temperature storage properties, mechanical properties, dynamic mechanical properties, and morphologies of SBS/KC modified asphalts were studied. The SBS/KC ratio in the compounds had a great effect on the high-temperature storage stability. The modified asphalts were very stable at high temperature when the SBS/KC ratio was around 3. The maximum KC content in the modified asphalts was 2%, and the KC content had slight influence on the mechanical properties of the modified asphalts. The KC could improve the rheological properties of the modified asphalt to some extent. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.