This study investigates the characterization and mechanical performance of Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) mixtures modified with two types of polymers: styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) and high-molecular-weight polyethylene (PE). Neat asphalt cement PG 64-16 was modified using a higher content of SBS and PE at concentrations of 6%, 7%, and 8% by weight of asphalt through the dry blending method to produce Highly Modified Asphalts (HiMA). The physical and rheological properties of the modified binders were evaluated using penetration, softening point, rotational viscosity, and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests. Also, their phase compatibility and morphological changes were evaluated using the storage stability testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The mechanical performance of the corresponding SMA mixtures was assessed through Marshall stability and flow, moisture susceptibility, crack tolerance index (CT-index), resilient modulus, and rutting resistance tests. Also, a mechanistic durability analysis was conducted using the KENLAYER software. Results indicated that both polymers enhanced the binder’s stiffness and high-temperature performance, with SBS exhibiting greater overall improvements. SBS-modified binders displayed a relatively low softening point difference (ΔT) of 5.1 °C to 5.8 °C, indicating good thermal stability and uniform polymer dispersion. In contrast, PE-modified binders exhibited significantly higher ΔT values, reaching 13.5 °C with 8% PE content, indicating a greater tendency toward phase separation. Moreover, Marshall stability improved substantially, increasing by 43% for 8% SBS-modified mixes and 28% for 8% PE-modified mixes compared to the neat SMA mix. Flow number (FN) results indicated enhanced rutting resistance, with FN values increasing by 2.45 times for SBS mixes and 2.1 times for PE mixes at 8% polymer content. Additionally, moisture susceptibility was significantly improved, as evidenced by the tensile strength ratio (TSR) values of 97% with 8% SBS and 92% with 8% PE, compared to 81% for the neat mix. Resilient modules increased notably, with a 38% rise for 8% SBS mixes and a 24% rise for 8% PE mixes, reflecting enhanced stiffness and load-bearing capacity. Also, the CT-index significantly improved, reaching values of 154 for the 8% SBS mix and 127 for the 8% PE-modified mix, compared to 86 for the neat mix, indicating enhanced resistance to cracking. Finally, both polymer-modified mixes demonstrated improved durability, where the 8% SBS mix exhibited the longest design life (21.66 years) and the highest number of allowable load repetitions (5.42 × 106), followed by 8% PE (13.98 years and 3.50 × 106 repetitions).
The operating characteristics of optoelectronic devices depend critically on the properties physical of the constituent materials, interesting compound has been focused on this research formed from group III and V of the periodic table. Thin film n-InSb heterjuntion were successfully fabricated on p-Si substrates by thermal evaporation technique at different annealing temperature (as prepared, 400,500,600) °C. The effect of annealing temperature on the structural, surface morphology, optical and optoelectronic properties of InSb films were investigated and studied. The crystal structure of the film was characterized by X-ray diffraction and techniques. AFM techniques inspect the surface morphology of InSb films, the study presented the val
... Show MoreThe objective of this study was to isolate and identify the asparaginase-producing bacteria, then purify and characterize the enzyme in order to investigate their properties in the future. Fifteen local bacterial isolates were isolated from various sites in the city of Baghdad, identified by conventional morphological and biochemical procedures, and confirmed using vitek 2 methods, and submitted to primary screening processes for asparaginase production. For secondary screening, eight isolates with the greatest yellow zone ability on a specific solid medium were chosen. Bacillus sp. was reported to have the highest enzyme production (7.5 U/mg proteins). After 24 hours of incubation, submerged fermentation yielded optimal conditi
... Show MoreThe presence of alkaloids in Crassula ovata is a topic that is still unexplored, as there are no published studies on the matter. This study demonstrates the presence of an alkaloid compound (and its class) for the first time in Crassula ovata. The plant material was defatted with n-hexane, and a Soxhlet apparatus was used for the extraction process, while the acid-base method was used for the isolation of alkaloids from the chloroform fractions. The quaternary alkaloid was precipitated from the aqueous layer spontaneously, in high quantity. By using standard spectroscopic methods (including liquid chromatography - mass spectroscopy) we were able to clarify the structure of the precipi¬tated compound as a tetrahydroprotoberberine a
... Show MorePorous Silicon (PS) layer has been prepared from p-type silicon by electrochemical etching method. The morphology properties of PS samples that prepared with different current density has been study using atom force measurement (AFM) and it show that the Layer of pore has sponge like stricture and the average pore diameter of PS layer increase with etching current density increase .The x-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicated the nanocrystaline of the sample. Reflectivity of the sample surface is decrease when etching current density increases because of porosity increase on surface of sample. The photolumenses (PL) intensity increase with increase etching current density. The PL is affected by relative humidity (RH) level so we can use
... Show MoreAlthough the number of implants has increased gradually and consistently over the years to around one million per year globally, there is still far more potential for advancement in the field of dental implantology which is typically growing quickly. This study investigates the effect of nanofiller reinforcement high-performance polymer matrix to enhance mechanical and physical characteristics. Calcium silicate (CS)/Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) biomedical composite (G0 as a control group) is reinforced with different weight percentages (G1-G4) of tellurium dioxide nanoparticles (TeO2NPs) ( n = 5). This research uses ethanol as a binder for mixing various weight percentages (wt%) of TeO2NPs w
... Show MoreLetrozole (LZL) is a non-steroidal competitive aromatase enzyme system inhibitor. The aim of this study is to improve the permeation of LZL through the skin by preparing as nanoemulsion using various numbers of oils, surfactants and co-surfactant with deionized water. Based on solubility studies, mixtures of oleic acid oil and tween 80/ transcutol p as surfactant/co-surfactant (Smix) in different percentages were used to prepare nanoemulsions (NS). Therefore, 9 formulae of (o/w) LZL NS were formulated, then pseudo-ternary phase diagram was used as a useful tool to evaluate the NS domain at Smix ratios: 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1.
Carbon nanospheres (CNSs) were successfully prepared and synthesized by Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) by using camphor as carbon source only, over iron Cobalt (Fe-Co) saturated zeolite at temperature between (700 oC and 900 °C), with different concentrations of camphor, and reaction time. The synthesized CNSs were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). The carbon spheres in different sizes between 100 nm and 1000 nm were investigated. This work has done by two parts, first preparation of the metallic catalyst and second part formation CNSs by heat treatment.
Nanocrystalline aluminophosphate AlPO4-5 molecular sieves were synthesized by hydrothermal method (HTS). Synthesis parameters like time and temperature of crystallization were investigated. Type of template (R) and ratio of R/P2O5 were studied also. Characterization of the synthesized AlPO4-5 were done by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry analysis (DSC-TGA), and N2 adsorption-desorption BET analysis. XRD patterns results showed excellent crystallinity for two types of templates, di-n-propylamine (DPA) and tetrapropyl ammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) f
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