ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The morphologies of SBS modified binders and their asphalt mixes were studied using fluorescence microscopy. In a first part, the morphology of an SBS polymer in different bituminous binders was investigated as a function of the preparation method, in particular as a function of the cooling rate and isothermal annealing periods. Storage stable and unstable SBS-bitumens, as defined by the tube test after 3-day at 180°C, were selected. The microscopic observations showed that the morphology strongly depends on the thermal history of the respective samples. These microscopic observations are supported by the differences seen in the rheological properties and in the force ductility curves of the respective binders.
