Rheological Behavior of HDPE/bitumen Nanocomposites

The main purpose of this work was to study the effect of polymeric nanocomposites on rheological characteristics of bitumen. Organoclay as a compatibilizer agent in a polymer modified bitumen had been incorporated to the mixture by two different mixing methods. The samples were prepared by adding high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and nanoclay (Cloisite 20A) to the hot bitumen in a high shear mixer. Dispersion of nanoclay was determined using XRD technique. The flow behavior of modified bitumen was investigated by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). The obtained results showed that compound of polyethylene and nanoclay further improved the rheological properties such as storage modulus. XRD patterns confirmed intercalated structure in physical mixing and almost exfoliated in the sample modified with masterbatch