Application of Solubility Parameter Theory in Evaluating the Aging Resistance of Paving Asphalts

Abstract Abstract In this article, asphaltene index, aging index, and Gastel index (Ic) are introduced to study the aging resistance of paving asphalts. Meanwhile, the solubility parameter theory is applied to evaluate the aging resistance of these paving asphalts. The results show that the greater the asphaltene index, the aging index or the Gastel index, the worse the aging resistance of the paving asphalt. The small difference between solubility parameters of asphaltene and maltene of the paving asphalt contributes to its good aging resistance. The analytical results in these two ways are consistent. Keywords: CompatibilitySolubility parameterAging resistance