Application of phenol-cresol-formaldehyde resin as an adhesion promoter for bitumen and asphalt concrete
Volodymyr Gunka, Yuriy Demchuk, Iurii Sidun, Д. В. Мірошниченко, Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma, Serhiy Pyshyev
Abstract
In this study, the phenol-cresol-formaldehyde (PhCR-F) resin was synthesised from the phenolic fraction of coal tar resin and formaldehyde through polycondensation. The physico-mechanical properties of the asphalt concrete were subsequently characterised to examine its water saturation, coefficient of long-term water-resistance (after 15 and 30 days), and compressive strength (at 20°C and 50°C). The results revealed that the addition of PhCR-F markedly increased the adhesion index with the surface of granite aggregates and glass before and after heating the bitumen. Furthermore, the PhCR-F addition enhanced the bitumen softening point, long-term water resistance, and thermo-stability but decreased the water-saturation index along with the penetration and ductility of bitumen. In conclusion, the study findings revealed that the synthesised PhCR-F resin is a promising adhesion promoter in pavement grade oil bitumen for application with asphalt concrete.