Investigating the effect of foaming additives on the properties of asphaltic materials

The use of foaming additives before the foaming process is believed to impact the characteristics of the asphalt binder. A fundamental investigation into the interaction between the binder and additive components is necessary to comprehend the underlying mechanism. In this study, the impact of these additives on the viscosity, chemical composition and foaming characteristics of asphalt binder and the properties of the asphalt mixture was investigated. The findings indicated that the incorporation of additives slightly decreased the binder viscosity while changing the chemical composition of the binder. The binder showed an increase in the foam index and expansion ratio; however, a decrease in half life was seen. Additionally, their incorporation enhanced the indirect tensile strength and moisture resistance of the asphalt mixture. The findings suggest that foaming additives can potentially alter the foaming capability of the binder. Nevertheless, additional research is required to assess the effects of these additives at the mixture level.