Low carbon polymer modified pavement asphalt originated from Diels-Alder type polyurethane

The continuous challenge in the design of modified asphalt and its mixtures is to enhance performance significantly and reduce energy consumption. For polymer-modified asphalt, the increase in viscosity results in more increase in energy consumption for preparation and use process. Therefore, in this study, the PU based on Diels-Alder bond (DAPU) with good mechanical properties at using temperatures and lower viscosity at high temperatures is prepared to modify asphalt. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimeter are used to prove the successful preparation of DAPU and DAPU modified asphalt. In the viscosity test, both the DAPU and the modified asphalt have lower viscosity (above 135°C). The DAPU-modified asphalt effectively improves resistance to high-temperature deformation and low-temperature cracking by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR) tests. This study provides a new method to solve environmental issues in the field of PU-modified asphalt.