Thermal and mechanical properties of natural fibrous nanoclay reinforced epoxy asphalt adhesives

Epoxy asphalt adhesive (EAA) has been widely used as strong waterproof-bonding layers for the orthotropic steel bridge decks in China. This research employs attapulgite (ATT), one kind of natural fibrous nanoclays, as the nanofiller to reinforce EAA. The crystalline structure, rheological property, thermal stability, mechanical properties and morphology of EAA/ATT composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brookfield rotational viscometer, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), universal test machine and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results showed the existence of ATT did not change the noncrystalline structure of the EAA. ATT had a significant decrement effect on the rotational viscosity of EAA. Moreover, the viscosity of EAA/ATT composites decreased with the increasing content of ATT at a specific cure time. The addition of ATT improved thermal stability of the neat EAA. In addition, the incorporation of ATT increased the tensile and adhesive properties of the neat EAA. The tensile strength, toughness, Young's modulus and adhesive strength of EAA/ATT composites increased with the increase of ATT loadings.