Rheological Evaluation of Asphalt Binder Modified with Nanoparticles of Titanium Dioxide

Premature cracks and permanent deformations are usual problems in Brazilian main road asphalt pavements. Researches intended to solve that problems have been developed with asphalt binder modified with polymers, fibre and recently nanoparticles. This article aims to study the incorporation of nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) on binder 55/75-E in percentages 0%, 3%, 4%, 5% of binder mass. The modified and pure binders were evaluated in two stages: first stage binders were analysed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), second stage consisted in physical and rheological tests: penetration, softening point, rotational viscosity, performance grade (PG); these tests were performed before and after short-term ageing procedure (RTFOT), multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) and linear amplitude sweep (LAS). Results show that binders with TiO 2 developed a high performance than the pure binder in high temperatures. This behaviour was verified through elevated stiffness and high softening point. TiO 2 addition promoted non-recoverable compliant reduction, suggesting a boost in the resistance to permanent deformation. Modified binders, also, demonstrated a delay on ageing that can be testified by ageing index and reduction in loss of mass.