Surface Modification of Recycled Polyester Fiber and Performance Evaluation of Its Asphalt Mastic and Mixture

Lei Xia, Dongwei Cao (), Hongliang Zhang, Mingming Zhang, Lingyan Shan, Haiyan Zhang and Taiwei Wang
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Lei Xia: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Dongwei Cao: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Hongliang Zhang: Key Laboratory for Special Area Highway Engineering of Ministry of Education, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Mingming Zhang: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Lingyan Shan: Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing 100088, China
Haiyan Zhang: Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing 100088, China
Taiwei Wang: Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing 100088, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: The use of recycled polyester fiber (Re-PET) partially addresses the scarcity of non-renewable polyester (PET), but its thermal resistance in asphalt mixtures is relatively low. To enhance the reutilization and thermal resistance of Re-PET, it was modified through in situ growth grafting with tetrahedral nanoSiO 2 . A novel nanoSiO 2 hybrid material (SiO 2 /Re-PET) was successfully prepared, and the effects of the surface modification on the morphology and thermal resistance of the Re-PET were investigated with the examination of its mechanism of modification. The results demonstrated an increase in the surface roughness and specific surface area of SiO 2 /Re-PET, as well as a higher melting point and structural stability compared to Re-PET. Subsequently, Re-PET and SiO 2 /Re-PET asphalt mastics under a filler–asphalt ratio of 1.0 were prepared, and their classical and rheological properties were investigated and compared. The results indicated an increase in the softening point and shear strength of SiO 2 /Re-PET asphalt mastic, as well as a significant improvement in its high-temperature performance. Furthermore, subsequent pavement performance tests revealed a significant improvement in the performance of SiO 2 /Re-PET asphalt mixtures compared to Re-PET asphalt mixtures. Consequently, the findings of this research promote the recycling of Re-PET, ultimately advocating for the sustainability of pavement construction.

Keywords: road engineering; recycled polyester fiber; nanoSiO 2; surface modification; thermal resistance; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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