Application of differential scanning calorimetry as advanced asphalt testing technology: A comprehensive review

Understanding thermal mechanisms is crucial for the selection, modification, and application of asphalt binders. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a sensitive calorimetric technique, enables quantitative assessment of heat-flow responses and reveals underlying processes. This review summarizes the principles and parameter choices of conventional DSC and modulated temperature DSC, covering specimen mass, heating and cooling rates, purge gas, and baseline treatment, and outlines practical workflows for erasing or preserving thermal history, configuring thermal cycles, and implementing isothermal holds. In terms of applications, DSC determines glass transition temperature, crystallization and melting behavior, enthalpy relaxation, and heat capacity; relates thermal signatures to rheology and to performance at low and high temperatures; and investigates oxidative and thermoreversible aging through kinetic analysis. For modified binders, DSC elucidates modification mechanisms, estimates modifier content, assesses compatibility, and evaluates storage stability and the tendency toward phase separation. The technique offers high precision with small sample requirements, enabling differentiation among asphalt sources and grades, analysis of thermal history, and rapid screening. Nevertheless, limitations persist, including thermal gradients, volatilization losses, and baseline drift. Coupling with dynamic shear rheometry, thermogravimetric analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and microscopy further connects thermodynamic features to microstructure and functional performance. Future directions include establishing standardized test protocols, extracting more detailed information from DSC and linking it more directly to asphalt pavement performance, building thermal fingerprint databases for identification and quality control, and developing efficient workflows that support materials design.