Quantitative characterization of fusion state of virgin and aged asphalt using nano-ferrous ferric oxide tracer

The exact evaluation of the fusion rate of virgin and aged asphalt is essential to optimize the performance of the recycled asphalt mixture. The fusion rate index was developed by tracing the distribution of tracer asphalt, which contains nano-ferrous ferric oxide (nano-Fe₃O₄) tracer. Laboratory fusion simulation tests were performed on three types of asphalt to obtain different fusion states, and fatigue tests were performed to evaluate the influence of the fusion rate on the fatigue life of the recycled asphalt. It was found that the tracer asphalt containing 4% nano-Fe₃O₄ shows the optimal trace effect, and the developed fusion rate index can quantitatively characterize the influence of different factors on the fusion state of the recycled asphalt. The fusion state is closely related to the fatigue performance of recycled asphalt, and the fusion rate index can fairly evaluate its fatigue performance. The relationship between the fusion rate and the fatigue life of recycled asphalt depends on the factors that cause the fusion rate variation. Under the influence of the amount of rejuvenator, the fatigue life of recycled asphalt grows exponentially with increasing fusion rate due to enhancement of molecular motion as well as a supplement of lightweight components. Under the influence of heat preservation treatment, fatigue life increases linearly with increasing fusion rate. The proposed fusion rate index can be utilized to quantitatively characterize the fusion state of virgin and aged asphalt, thus providing a simple way to guide the practical application of recycled asphalt.