Open Access

ARTICLE

Effects of Wax-Based Surfactant on the Quantification of Chemical Properties, Rheological, and Activation Energy of Cup Lump Rubber Modified Asphalt Binder

Zainiah Mohd Zin^1,2, Mohd Rosli Mohd Hasan^1,*, Azura A. Rashid³, Muhammad Munsif Ahmad⁴, Mohd Fahmi Haikal Mohd Ghazali¹, Hui Yao^5,*

1 Sustainable Asphalt Research Group (SARG), School of Civil Engineering, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
2 Center of Excellence in Engineering and Technology (CREaTE), Public Works Department Malaysia, Alor Gajah, Melaka, Malaysia
3 School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
4 Faculty of Civil Engineering and Technology, Kompleks Pusat Pengajian Jejawi 3, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
5 College of Metropolitan Transportation, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China

* Corresponding Authors: Mohd Rosli Mohd Hasan. Email: ; Hui Yao. Email:

Journal of Polymer Materials 2026, 43(1), 20 https://doi.org/10.32604/jpm.2026.072622

Received 31 August 2025; Accepted 13 March 2026; Issue published 03 April 2026

Abstract

The rapid increase in traffic loads and frequencies has rendered conventional asphalt pavement inadequate to maintain its durability under tropical climates. This challenge has necessitated the exploration of new sources of modified asphalt with enhanced stiffness and superior performance at high temperatures. Natural rubber (NR) is a renewable biopolymer that has received growing interest as a modifier for asphalt binders. Cup lump rubber (CLR), a type of NR, is used to enhance asphalt properties and improve the performance of road pavements. This study evaluates the influence of wax-based surfactants (WS) on CLR-modified asphalt binder (CMB). The assessment focuses on changes in chemical characteristics, rheological behaviour, activation energy, and morphology. Four concentrations of WS (0.1%, 0.15%, 0.2%, and 0.25%) were incorporated into CMB. Analysis of CMB chemical changes showed that viscosity increased due to higher sulfoxide, carbonyl, and aromatic bond indices. These chemical modifications contributed to improved resistance of the binder to heat-induced deterioration. In both unaged and aged CMB samples, the incorporation of WS reduced the sulfoxide index of the binder. Rheological analysis indicated that CMB improved rutting resistance and anti-ageing performance, while WS further enhanced fatigue resistance. Activation energy analysis suggested that the combination of CMB with 0.15% WS produced the most favourable enhancement. Micrograph results showed that WS improved binder homogeneity and interconnectivity. In conclusion, the findings indicated that incorporating 0.15% WS into CMB enhanced the performance and durability of the asphalt pavement.

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Keywords

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