Hard-grade asphalt binders like AC20-30 typically exhibit excessive stiffness, reduced penetration, and compromised workability, necessitating modification before use in paving applications. This study evaluates the efficacy of regular polyalphaolefin (PAO), a synthetic olefin-based lubricant, as a performance-enhancing modifying agent for such binders. AC20-30 was blended with PAO at dosages ranging from 2 wt.% to 10 wt.%, and the modified binders were characterized via penetration, ductility, softening point, and rotational viscosity measurements, alongside advanced rheological and chemical-morphological analyses. Incorporating PAO in AC20-30 asphalt progressively reduced the binder stiffness and enhanced its flexibility, with all modified formulations satisfying AASHTO M332 Grade E specifications. Linear amplitude sweep (LAS) testing indicated a substantial improvement in fatigue performance, with the 10% PAO modification exhibiting an 18 times increase in fatigue life at 5% strain relative to the unmodified control. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra revealed increased aliphatic and unsaturated functional groups associated with PAO incorporation, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging indicated a morphological transition toward more continuous and less compact microstructures. Optimal performance was observed at a PAO dosage of 6 wt.%, which provided the best balance of low-temperature flexibility, fatigue resistance, and high-temperature rheological properties. Cost analysis demonstrated that even at 10 wt.% PAO, the modified binder remains below the price of AC40-50, supporting economic feasibility. These findings show that PAO functions effectively as a dual-purpose modifier, providing a practical and cost-effective approach to enhance the performance of hard-grade asphalt binders for heavy-duty pavement applications.
The quantum chromodynamics theory approach was taken to study the photonic emission from interaction of quark gluon at high at Bremsstrahlung processes. Strength coupling, quark charge 𝑒𝑞 , flavor number 𝑛𝐹 , thermal energy T of system, fugacity of gluon ƛ𝑔, fugacity of quark ƛ𝑞 , critical temperature 𝑇𝐶 and photons energy 𝐸 are taken to calculate photons rate via the quantum system. Photons emission rate studies and calculates via high energy 400MeV to 650 MeV using flavor number 3 and 7 for 𝑢̅𝑔 → 𝑑̅𝑔𝛾 and 𝑐𝑔 → 𝑠𝑔𝛾 systems at bremsstrahlung processes with critical temperature (𝑇𝑐 = 190 and 196) MeV with photons energy (1-10) GeV. The confinement and de-confineme
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The value chain analysis is main tools to achieve effective and efficient cost management; it requires a depth and comprehensive understanding for all internal and external activities associated with creating value. Supply chain as apart of value chain, that means managing it in active and efficient can achieve great results when adopting a comprehensive and integrated performance for these two chains activities. The research aims to identify possible ways to integrate the performance of value and supply chains of the sample" Kufa-cement plant" and determine the effect of this integration in enhancing customer value. The research arrival that logical and integrated analysis of value and supply chains helps
... Show MoreLaboratory experience in Iraq with cold asphalt concrete mixtures is very limited. The design and use of cold mixed asphalt concrete had no technical requirements. In this study, two asphalt concrete mixtures used for the base course were prepared in the laboratory using conventional cold-mixing techniques to test cold asphalt mixture (CAM) against aging and moisture susceptibility. Cold asphalt mixtures specimens have been prepared in the lab with cutback and emulsion binders, different fillers, and curing times. Based on the Marshal test result, the cutback proportion was selected with the filler, also based on the Marshal test emulsion. The first mixture was medium setting cationic emulsion (MSCE) as a binder, hydrate
... Show MoreIn this research, an enhancement in lubricating, rheological, and filtration properties of unweighted water-based mud is fundamentally investigated using XC polymer NPs with 0.2gm, 0.5gm, 1gm, 2gm, and 4gm concentrations. Bentonite, that had been used in the preparation of unweighted water-based mud, was characterized using XRF-1800 Sequential X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer, XRD-6100/7000 X-ray Diffractometer, and Malvern Mastersizer 2000 particle size analyzer, respectively. Lubricating, rheology and filtration properties of unweighted water-based mud were measured at room temperature (35°C) using OFITE EP and Lubricity Tester, OFITE Model 900 Viscometer, and OFITE Low-Pressure Filter Press, respectively. XC Polymer N
... Show MoreBasketball is a popular game in many parts of the world and many developed countries are making continuous efforts to prepare and develop their emerging players on scientific and clear bases as the basis for reaching high levels The researchers used the descriptive approach in the method of correlative studies to suit the nature of the study The readymade software (IBM SPSS Statistics Version24) was used to perform statistical treatments The researchers concluded that there was a significant relationship between body size indicators (height and weight) with the fitness elements of the emerging basketball players The researchers recommended conducting a similar study to determine the type of relationship to the indicators of the physical str
... Show MoreGypseous soils are widely distributed and especially in Iraq where arid area of hot climatic is present. These soils are considered as problematic soils; therefore this work attends to improve the geotechnical properties of such soil and reduce the dangers of collapse due to wetting process. In this research, undisturbed soil sample of 30 % gypsum content from Karbala city is used. The Single Oedometer collapse test is used in order to investigate the collapse characteristics of natural soil and after treatment with 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% of Cutback Asphalt. Moreover, two selected additive percentages (9% and 12%) are used to evaluate the suitability of using the Cutback Asphalt for improvement of the bearing capacity o
... Show MorePolyacrylonitrile nanofiber (PANFS), a well-known polymers, has been extensively employed in the manufacturing of carbon nanofibers (CNFS), which have recently gained substantial attention due to their excellent features, such as spinnability, environmental friendliness, and commercial feasibility. Because of their high carbon yield and versatility in tailoring the final CNFS structure, In addition to the simple formation of ladder structures through nitrile polymerization to yield stable products, CNFS and PAN have been the focus of extensive research as potential production precursors. For instance, the development of biomedical and high-performance composites has now become achievable. PAN homopolymer or PAN-based precursor copolymer can
... Show MorePolyacrylonitrile nanofiber (PANFS), a well-known polymers, has been extensively employed in the manufacturing of carbon nanofibers (CNFS), which have recently gained substantial attention due to their excellent features, such as spinnability, environmental friendliness, and commercial feasibility. Because of their high carbon yield and versatility in tailoring the final CNFS structure, In addition to the simple formation of ladder structures through nitrile polymerization to yield stable products, CNFS and PAN have been the focus of extensive research as potential production precursors. For instance, the development of biomedical and high-performance composites has now become achievable. PAN homopolymer or PAN-based precursor copol
... Show MoreBreast cancer constitutes about one fourth of the registered cancer cases among the Iraqi population (1)
and it is the leading cause of death among Iraqi women (2)
. Each year more women are exposed to the vicious
ramifications of this disease which include death if left unmanaged or the negative sequels that they would
experience, cosmetically and psychologically, after exposure to radical mastectomy.
The World Health Organization (WHO) documented that early detection and screening, when coped
with adequate therapy, could offer a reduction in breast cancer mortality; displaying that the low survival rates
in less developed countries, including Iraq, is mainly attributed to the lack of early detection programs couple