Swelling and diffusion characteristics of polar and nonpolar polymers in asphalt

The swelling and diffusion characteristics of a polar polymer [ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)] and a nonpolar polymer [low-density polyethylene (LDPE)] were studied with swelling experiments of the polymers in asphalt at different temperatures. The study showed that the diffusion mechanisms for LDPE and EVA were different and temperature-dependent. In the case of LDPE, the observed diffusion was anomalous at both swelling temperatures (70 and 90°C). LDPE at 90°C showed sigmoidal solvent-uptake behavior during the initial period of swelling and a sorption overshoot in a later period. EVA showed Fickian transport at 60°C and anomalous diffusion at a higher swelling temperature (70°C) with sigmoidal uptake behavior. An analysis of the diffusion coefficients and the Fourier transform infrared results showed that the diffusing molecules were different in the case of LDPE and EVA, and there were possible polymer-asphalt interactions. Differential scanning calorimetry and swelling studies showed that penetrant-induced crystallization affected the diffusion process in the case of LDFE. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.