Properties evaluation of asphalt-based composites with graphite and mine powders

On account of the high specific surface area, graphite powder could transform more free asphalt to structure asphalt, so the softening temperature of asphalt-based composites (containing mineral powder) was increased from 45 °C to 82 °C upon addition of 9.0 vol.% graphite. Accompanying effects are increase of rutting resistance and decrease of the electrical resistance. Graphite powder and mineral powder together were much more effective than mineral powder alone or graphite powder alone for raising the softening temperature. Furthermore, the increase of electrical conductivity would transform the asphalt-based composites to a kind of smart material, which made strain self-monitoring of asphalt pavement become feasible through the piezoresistivity of electrically conductive asphalt-based composite.