Use of Mahua oil for rejuvenation of the aged binder through laboratory investigations

Abstract

Construction industries worldwide have understood that recycling of road construction materials is vital for the sustainable development of infrastructure. However, the utilization of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) material to its potential is limited to only 50%. Rejuvenators are believed to revive the aged binder's properties and provide scope for higher utilization of RAP. This paper presents an assessment of Mahua oil (biological name: Madhuca Longifolia) as a potential rejuvenator through rheological, chemical, and thermal characterization of the rejuvenated RAP binder. Based on the rheological investigations, 4 % of Mahua oil was found to be adequate to satisfy the Superpave rutting and fatigue criteria. From Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), the rejuvenator was found to be stable up to 220 °C. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) showed a decline in the carbonyl index and sulfoxide index in the rejuvenated binder, which indicates the revitalization of the primary characteristics of the binder. Outcomes of the study indicate that Mahua oil can improve the rheological thermal and chemical properties of the aged binder.

Keywords

• Reclaimed asphalt pavement
• Rejuvenator
• Mahua oil
• Rheology
• FTIR