Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology (Sep 2024)
The Impact of Incorporating Medical Mask Waste Fiber on the Rheological Properties of Asphalt
Abstract
The impact of incorporating medical mask waste fibers on the rheological properties of asphalt in the review of the Asphalt Stiffness Modulus (E*) using the Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) tool needs to be done, to determine the improvement of asphalt rheological properties, so that the garbage from masks produced during the Covid-19 pandemic might be utilized as an additive for asphalt. This test is carried out with 3 conditions, namely the initial condition, the condition of the Rolling Thin Film Oven Test (RTFOT), and the condition of the Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV). In the initial condition, the results showed an increase in the value of the Asphalt Stiffness Modulus with the addition of 1% mask fiber increased by between 6% - 78%, the addition of 2% mask fiber increased by between 39% - 148%, and the addition of 3% mask fiber increased by between 70% - 253%. The decrease in the value of the Asphalt Stiffness Modulus of Asphalt + 3% mask indicates the increasing temperature of asphalt at high temperatures when deformation occurs (Rutting), namely for all initial conditioning (75.1°C) and RTFOT residual asphalt (69.7°C). On the other hand, the E* value is too large because the addition of 3% mask fiber tends to crack fatigue earlier at low temperatures. This can be proven by the increasing value of E* at low temperatures when fatigue cracking occurs, namely for PAV residual asphalt conditioning (26.0°C). This study is limited to laboratory testing, so using mask fibers in asphalt requires long-term evaluation for real-world reliability. The research proposes using medical mask waste to improve asphalt's rheological properties, potentially reducing environmental impact and enhancing performance. Initial results are promising, but further research is needed to confirm sustainability and effectiveness in practical applications.
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