OBJECTIVES : In this study, microstructural components of crumb rubber modified asphalt (CRMA) binder were investigated using environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). To clearly understand the elemental composition of the CRMA binder, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) was employed on the ESEM samples. METHODS: CRMA binders were produced using open blade mixers at 177℃ for 30 min. The binders were artificially aged through a series of accelerated aging processes. Sample preparation was done by making a mold shape on the glass slide. Thereafter, the morphology of the CRMA binder was observed using the ESEM coupled with the EDX. RESULTS : The images captured from the ESEM indicate that the unaged CRMA binder appears to have a single-phase continuous nonuniform structure after the addition of crumb rubber particles, whereas the artificially aged CRMA binder was observed to have two different phases. ESEM coupled with EDX shows detailed internal structure of the modified binders compared to other technologies (i.e., optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and conventional scanning electron microscope). CONCLUSIONS: The captured images resemble the internal structures such as the viscous properties of the unaged CRMA binder and the interaction between the rubber particles and the base binder at aged condition. ESEM is a powerful instrument and with the introduction of EDX, it provided more details of the network microstructure of the asphalt binder. ESEM coupled with EDX is recommended for use in future investigation of microstructure of asphalt binders.

폐타이어 고무분말은 도로 유지 및 보수제로 아스팔트 바인더의 개질제로 사용되고 있다. 도로보수제인 폐타이어 고무분말 개질 아스팔트 (crumb rubber modified asphalt, CRMA) 실란트에 필요한 접착특성은 저온에서 아스팔트 바인더의 취성과 접착파괴특성 때문에 주목받고 있다. 본 연구에서는 저온에서 CRMAs의 개질제로서 유연제의 영향을 조사하였다. 저온에서 CRMAs의 특성은 침입도, 연화점, 인장 및 인장접착시험을 통하여 측정하였다. 유연제를 도입한 CRMAs에서 CR과 아스팔트바인더의 연성변형이 증가함에 따라 인장접착강도와 변형률이 증가하였다. 저온영역에서 CRMAs의 인장특성과 접착특성은 유연제의 함량이 중요한 요소임을 발견하였다.