Treating waste with waste: Innovative application of maltenes derived from reclaimed asphalt for the efficient rejuvenation of aged asphalt

As a typical waste in road construction and maintenance, the value-added utilization of reclaimed asphalt contributes to alleviating environmental pollution and reducing resource dependence. This paper pioneeringly adopts maltenes derived from reclaimed asphalt as a rejuvenator to restore the performance of aged asphalt , aiming to decrease cost and improve efficiency for recycled asphalt. The rheological properties and cracking resistance of maltenes recycled asphalt (MA) were firstly determined. Then microtexture, molecular structures, and SARA composition of MA were analyzed to elucidate the rejuvenation mechanism. And their comprehensive performance was quantitatively assessed via an improved radar chart. The results indicate that maltenes enhances the complex modulus index and viscosity temperature sensitivity index of aged asphalt to elevate its temperature sensitivity and reduces the flow activation energy and glass transition temperature . While the rutting and permanent deformation resistance of MA were weakened due to the reduction of rutting critical temperature and creep recovery rate. Incorporating maltenes significantly diminishes the surface roughness , peak structure number, and polar functional group index of aged asphalt. The rejuvenation mechanism of maltenes is attributed to their remodeling of the cross-linked network structure within the asphalt colloidal system, enhancing the dispersion of asphaltenes and the stability of the colloidal system. MA containing 15 % and 20 % maltenes reveal the equivalent comprehensive assessment index to recycled asphalt with commercial rejuvenator, reaching 0.5412 and 0.6319, respectively, which can be used as a desirable dosage range of maltenes in recycled asphalt. • Maltenes extracted from reclaimed asphalt is used to rejuvenate aged asphalt. • Maltenes declines the flow activation energy and glass transition temperature . • Maltenes elevates asphaltenes dispersion and colloidal system stability. • Maltenes at 15–20 % achieves rejuvenation equivalent to 6 % commercial rejuvenator.