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. 2025 Oct 15;18(20):4724.
doi: 10.3390/ma18204724.

Synergistic Effects of High-Modulus Additives on SBS-Modified Asphalt: Microstructural, Rheological Enhancement, and Dosage-Dependent Performance Optimization

Qinghua He  1   2 , Zhuosen Li  1 , Jianqi Huang  2 , Jie Chen  3 , Liujun Zhao  2 , Chengwei Xing  1 , Tong Cui  3 , Jiabiao Zou  2
Affiliations

Synergistic Effects of High-Modulus Additives on SBS-Modified Asphalt: Microstructural, Rheological Enhancement, and Dosage-Dependent Performance Optimization

Qinghua He et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

This study systematically investigates the synergistic modification effects of two high-modulus additives on SBS-modified asphalt through microstructural characterization and performance evaluation. Fluorescence microscopic analysis reveals that the additive particles undergo swelling over time and form an interconnected network structure via phase separation dynamics. Rheological tests demonstrate a significant enhancement in high-temperature performance: at the optimal dosage of 10 wt%, the complex modulus increases by approximately 215%, and the rutting factor improves by about 300% compared to the control group. The results from multiple stress creep recovery (MSCR) tests confirm the material's superior elastic recovery capability and reduced non-recoverable creep compliance. However, the incorporation of the additives adversely affects low-temperature ductility. The penetration of (two distinct high-modulus agents, designated as HMA-A and HMA-B) HMA-B decreases by approximately 36.8% more than that of HMA-A, accompanied by significantly lower low-temperature toughness. A dosage of 10% is identified as the critical threshold, which maximizes rutting resistance while minimizing low-temperature performance degradation. Based on these findings, this paper proposes an integrated design paradigm of "microstructure-performance-dosage," recommending HMA-B for high-stress pavement channels and HMA-A for regions with substantial temperature variations.

Keywords: SBS-modified asphalt; composite modification; high-modulus asphalt; high-temperature performance; threshold.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors Qinghua He, Jianqi Huang, Liujun Zhao and Jiabiao Zou were employed by the company Guangzhou Expressway Co., Ltd. Authors Jie Chen and Tong Cui were employed by the company Poly Changda Engineering Co., Ltd. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Test flowchart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Fluorescence micrographs: (a) 10% HMA-A composite-modified asphalt at 30 min; (b) 10% HMA-A composite-modified asphalt at 60 min; (c) 15% HMA-A composite-modified asphalt at 60 min; (d) 10% HMA-B composite-modified asphalt at 30 min; (e) 10% HMA-B composite-modified asphalt at 60 min; (f) 15% HMA-B composite-modified asphalt at 60 min.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Complex modulus of base-modified SBS asphalt and HMA-A- and HMA-B-modified composites.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Rutting factor of base-modified SBS asphalt and HMA-A- and HMA-B-modified composites.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Average non-recoverable creep compliance of base-modified SBS asphalt and HMA-A- and HMA-B-modified composites.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Average recovery ratio of base-modified SBS asphalt and HMA-A- and HMA-B-modified composites.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Rotational viscosity of base-modified SBS asphalt and HMA-A- and HMA-B-modified composites.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Results of conventional tests: (a) ductility, (b) penetration, (c) softening point.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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