Asphalt binders modified with Moringa Oleifera Lam oil

The concern with sustainable development has driven efforts to the study of green technologies to minimize the environmental impacts without compromising pavement quality. In this scenery, the paving industry has started to research and apply warm asphalt mixtures, which are produced in lower temperatures than conventional mixtures and reduce the expenses in fuels. The warm mixtures can result from the addition of an oil, usually organic, to the conventional binder, decreasing the binder's viscosity. Moringa oleifera Lam Seeds possess an oil content varying between 38 and 40% and have antioxidant and lubricant properties. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in properties related to consistency and the effective variation of mixing and compaction temperatures due to asphalt modification with the oil of Moringa oleifera Lam as green additive. The Moringa oleifera Lam oil was extracted by pressing of seeds. Then, 6 mixtures were made using 50/70 PAC and Moringa Oleifera Lam oil in different proportions (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5% and 3%), as well as a reference sample (pure PAC). The binders were analysed using Brookfield Viscosity, Penetration, Softening Point and Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFOT) Tests. The results showed that the addition of Moringa oleifera Lam oil must be made for contents in the range of 0.5% to 1%, once that to these contents there is a significant reduction in machining and compaction temperatures (≈ 5 °C) without compromising the asphalt binder performance.