A simple test method in order to assess the effect of mineral fillers on bitumen ageing

Bitumen has been known to be prone to chemical ageing from the very beginning of its modern use in road construction. It is now well accepted that this results in chemical changes illustrated in particular by an increase in asphaltenes content and in the quantity of functional groups such as sulfoxides and carbonyls. The rheological consequences are a global hardening and embrittlement. However, the role of other potential ingredients of asphalt...