ABSTRACT
The present work aims to produce a bio-binder from the modification of a petroleum based asphalt by the sap of Euphorbia Tirucalli, investigating the physical and rheological properties of the modified asphalts and testing its application on prime coat services. This plant is also known as petroleum plant due to the similarity of hydrocarbons presented in these materials. The contents of 3%, 5% and 10% of sap (by weight) were added to the asphalt binder. The mixtures were subjected to chemical characterization tests (FTIR and Termogravimetric Analysis) and physical characterization test (penetration, softening point, Brookfield viscosity, and DSR), before and after short-term aging, through RTFOT. The asphalt modified by 10% of sap was used to produce 2 cutbacks: one diluted on kerosene and another diluted on d-limonene. Both cutbacks were tested for application on prime coat services. Although the results of FTIR have shown an increase in the carbonyl and sulfoxyde indexes, the results of physical characterization showed that the addition of the sap turned the binder less susceptible to hardening effects of aging, since lower viscosity values (at high temperatures) and phase angles (at high in-service temperatures) were observed. The alternative cutbacks showed potential for application at prime coats.
