Effect of sonication on high temperature properties of bituminous binders reinforced with nano-additives

The study focused on the effect of sonication on high temperature properties of bituminous binders containing carbon nanotubes and nanoclays. Blends at various dosages were prepared in the laboratory according to two techniques, based on sonication and/or shear mixing. Rheological behaviour of binders was investigated, in the unaged and short-term aged state, by means of oscillatory and creep-recovery tests. Experimental results were found to be coherent with interaction phenomena occurring at the nano-scale and indicate that effects caused by sonication on nano-modified blends are not univocal, but are highly dependent on additive type. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.