Experimental investigations on high temperature transition of asphalt

Asphalt exhibits Newtonian, non-Newtonian and viscoelastic behavior as the temperature is varied. This investigation reports the temperature at which asphalt exhibits non-Newtonian to Newtonian transition. Air blown, blended asphalt and petroleum pitch were tested at different aging conditions. The temperature at which the material exhibited shear rate independent viscosity was taken as the transition temperature. The transition temperature varied with processing method and aging conditions. It was seen that blended asphalt exhibited greater increase in apparent viscosity during aging when compared to air blown asphalt, whereas air blown asphalt showed greater shift in transition temperature for the same aging conditions.

► Non-Newtonian to Newtonian transition of asphalt captured.
► Aged asphalt exhibits higher transition temperature when compared to unaged asphalt.
► Transitory behavior changed with processing method of asphalt.