Bruno de C. Amoni a, Jorge B. Soares b,.Nágila M.P.S. Ricardo a, Adonay Loiola a and Sandra de A.

Soares a
Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry a, Department of Transport Engineering b
Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, Brazil.

Warm mix asphalt (WMA) technology for paving process allow considerable reduction of mixing and
compaction temperatures typically 100-140 °C, compared to hot mixtures (HMA) temperatures (150-180 °C)
[1]. This represents a reduction in fuel consumption, lower fumes emissions and creates better working
conditions.

A new generation of additives involve the use of chemical additives, organic additives and water
based/foaming process. Water containing technology use synthetic zeolite - composed of aluminosilicates
hydro-thermally crystallized (18-21% of water) [2]. Their ability of lose water improves the coating and
workability.

This study presents a synthesis of a zeolite from fly ash (FA) and investigates the effect of zeolite on the
properties of asphalt binder and mixtures. FA is a by product of burning coal in power stations. The application FA FAZ (Analcime)
of zeolites synthesized from FA, which are one of the largest waste generation in Brazil, is an attractive option
because it improves performance for application in WMA and reduces cost and environmental impact [3].

 Materials: Fly ash from the thermoelectric power station of Pecém - Ce, Asphalt binder (50/70),
granitic aggregate.
Figure 4: SEM images of the zeolitic samples and the fly ash.
 Zeolites Synthesis: The zeolites were synthesized using a hydrothermal process [4]. Different products were
FAZhave
The morphology of FA is spherical, while the other samples (NaP1)
different structures. The FA-S-Z (NaA) have cubic
obtained: NaP1, Analcime (FAZ) and NaA zeolite type (FA-S-Z) (Figure 1).
morphology, characteristic of zeolite A.
FA

SiO2
Al2O3
Ay/mm+[(SiO2)x.(AlO2-)y].zH2O
ZEOLITES

Figure 5: TG curves of FA and FAZ zeolite.

NaP1 Analcime NaA
The FAZ sample has crystalline water  potentially useful for WMA

Similar to zeolite® type A. Table 2: Viscosity of the AB samples in different temperatures Table 3: PG values for the AB samples

 Characterization of the zeolites samples: The fly ash (FA) and Zeolites synthesized from fly ash (FAZ) were Temperature (°C) AB (cP) AB-FA (cP) AB-FAZ (cP) Samples PG (°C)
characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (FRX), X-ray diffraction (DRX), Fourier transform infrared 120 1077 1389 1382 AB 64
spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning eletron microscopy (SEM) and Termogravimetry (TG). 135 461 555 570
AB-FA 64
150 242 271 295
 Asphalt Binder: The NaP1 zeolite (FAZ) was used as additive to prepare WMA (AB-FAZ) mixing 4% w/w of FAZ AB-FAZ 64
175 106 103 118
with asphalt binder (AB). The AB samples were characterized by empirical and rheological parameters.

 Asphalt Mixture: The samples (FAZ-AB mixture) were prepared 20 °C less than the mixture with original AB and The AB FAZ samples increase in viscosity The same Performance Grade (PG) were obtained
characterized by the resilient modulus tests (RM) and resistance to traction by diametral compression (RT).

Table 1: Content of oxides

Oxides FA (%) w/w
SiO2 33,53
Al2O3 20,08
F2O3 34,08
CaO2 5,81 Figure 6: Complex modulus as a function of frequency Figure 7: Phase angle as a function of frequency
Appropriate amount of aluminum and silicon as The presence of FAZ improves stiffness (G*)/ rutting resistance and elasticity (δ)
a starting materials for the synthesis.
Table 4: Mechanical test for the samples

Sample AB content (%) RM RM - Standard RT RT - Standard

Figure 2: FTIR of FA-S-Z and FA samples
(MPa) deviation (MPa) deviation
Si-O-Si bonds (1062 cm- 1) AM 6,0 3951 770 0,97 0,057
Octahedrons (700 a 440 cm-1 ). FAZ-AM 6,0 4122 452 1,12 0,105

FAZ-AM shows a slightly better result for mechanical properties

FAZ-AM was processed 20 °C less than the unmodified AM, which indicate that FAZ can be used as WMA additive.
Intensity (u.a)

The synthesis of the zeolites from fly ash was successfully obtained being the FA-S-Z the best morphologic crystals
with a high degree of purity. The rheological parameters show that the zeolites crystals promote an increase in
NaA the resistance to deformation of the modified asphalt binder. The mechanical properties related to RT and MR
pattern show a slightly better result for FAZ-AC sample. The results of the applied tests suggest the potential application
of the zeolite as a WMA additive.
2ꮎ (degrees)

Figure 1: DRX of FAZ (NaP1 and Analcime) zeolites.
The FAZ sample show peaks referring to two distinct
phases, where the main one being the NaP1.
Figure 3: DRX of FA-S-Z (NaA) zeolite.
The samples FA-S-Z and NaA® have the same
pattern
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