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.
One of the major problems facing the road construction engineer is the collapsible granular soil which may be used for embankment construction. Problems appears when such compacted soil come in touch with water, it exhibits cracking and uncontrolled settlement. Collapsible soils are defined as any unsaturated soil that goes through a radical rearrangement of practice and great loss of volume upon wetting, with or without additional loading. An attempt has been made in this investigation to stabilize the collapsible soil of Nasiriya with asphalt emulsion. Specimens of pure and asphalt emulsion stabilized soil have been prepared using optimum fluid content and tested. The first group of specimens of (60x60x20) cm have been tested for direct s
... Show MoreRecent research has examined the improvement of physical and dielectric properties of BaTiO3 ceramic material by small addition of excess TiO2 or BaCO3. The prepared samples sintered at different temperatures and varying soaking time. The results show that increasing the sintering temperature within 1350°C and soaking time of 10 hrs give better electrical and physical properties, which indicate the reaction is complete at higher temperature and period.
n this study, Cr−Mo−N thin films with different Mo contents were synthesised via closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating. The effects of Mo content on the microstructure, chemical bonding state, and optical properties of the prepared films were investigated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. XRD results determined the face centered cubic (fcc) structure of pure CrN film. The incorporation of molybdenum (Mo) in the CrN matrix was confirmed by both XRD and XPS analyses. The CrMoN coatings demonstrate various polycrystalline phases including CrN, γ-Mo2N, Cr with oxides layers of MoO3, CrO3,
... Show MoreIn this paper, CdO nanoparticles prepared by pulsed laser deposition techniqueonto a porous silicon (PS) surface prepared by electrochemical etching of p-type silicon wafer with resistivity (1.5-4Ω.cm) in hydrofluoric (HF) acid of 20% concentration. Current density (15 mA/cm2) and etching times (20min). The films were characterized by the measurement of AFM, FTIR spectroscopy and electrical properties.
Atomic Force microscopy confirms the nanometric size.Chemical components during the electrochemical etching show on surface of PSchanges take place in the spectrum of CdO deposited PS when compared to as-anodized PS.
The electrical properties of prepared PS; namely current density-voltage charact
... Show MoreIn this study, Cr−Mo−N thin films with different Mo contents were synthesised via closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering ion plating. The effects of Mo content on the microstructure, chemical bonding state, and optical properties of the prepared films were investigated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry. XRD results determined the face centered cubic (fcc) structure of pure CrN film. The incorporation of molybdenum (Mo) in the CrN matrix was confirmed by both XRD and XPS analyses. The CrMoN coatings demonstrate various polycrystalline phases including CrN, γ-Mo2N, Cr with oxides layers of MoO3, CrO3
... Show MoreIn this work we experimentally investigated SWCNTs and MWCNTs to increase their thermal conductivity and electrically functionalization process using different reagents ((nitric acid, HNO3 followed by acid treatment with H2SO4), then washed with deionized water (DW) and then treated with H2O2 via ultrasonic technique. Then repeated the steps with MWCNTs and compare their results in an effort to improve experimental conditions that efficiently differentiate the surface of the single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi walled carbon nanotubesi(MWCNTs) that less nanotubes destroy and to enhance the properties of them and also to reduce aggregation in liquid. the results were prove by XRD, and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR sp
... Show MoreRecently, many materials have shown that they can be used as alternatives to chemicals materials in order to be used to improve the properties of drilling fluids. Some of these materials are banana peels and corn cobs which both are considered environmentally- friendly materials. The results of the X-ray diffraction examination have proved that the main components of these materials are cellulose and hemicellulose, which contribute greatly to the increasing of the effectiveness of these two materials. Due to their distinct composition, these two materials have improved the rheological properties (plastic viscosity and yield point) and reduced the filtration of the drilling fluids to a large extent. The addition rates used for each o
... Show MoreThe assessment of the environmental impact of the cement industry using the Leopold Matrix is to determine the negative and positive impacts on the environment resulting from this industry, and what are the long-term and short-term effects, direct and indirect, and the amount of these effects and potential risks, and that this evaluation process is done through a number of methods, including Matrix method, including (Leopold).
The importance of the research because the cement occupies is of great importance in the world, especially in our country, Iraq, in the sector of construction and modernity, and the toxic emissions and solid waste produced by the production of this material. <
... Show MoreThis research paper studies the use of an environmentally and not expensive method to degrade Orange G dye (OG) from the aqueous solution, where the extract of ficus leaves has been used to fabricate the green bimetallic iron/copper nanoparticles (G-Fe/Cu-NPs). The fabricated G‑Fe/Cu-NPs were characterized utilizing scanning electron microscopy, BET, atomic force microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and zeta potential. The rounded and shaped as like spherical nanoparticles were found for G-Fe/Cu‑NPs with the size ranged 32-59 nm and the surface area was 4.452 m2/g. Then the resultant nanoparticles were utilized as a Fenton-like oxidation catalyst. The degradation efficiency of
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