Sustainable Innovations in Bituminous Binders: Evaluating Natural Rubber Latex and Wood Bio-Oils as Renewable Modifiers

The global shift toward a circular economy has prompted the road construction industry to seek sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based bitumen. This paper investigates the chemical, morphological, and rheological properties of bitumen modified with natural rubber (NR) latex and wood-derived bio-oils. By analyzing performance-related properties such as rotational viscosity, rutting resistance, and fatigue damage, this study establishes the feasibility of using bio-modifiers to reduce carbon footprints without compromising pavement durability. Experimental results indicate that a ۷% NR latex content provides an optimal balance of viscosity and elastic recovery, while wood bio-oils significantly improve low-temperature performance.

کلیدواژه ها:

Natural Rubber (NR) Latex ، Bitumen ، Renewable Materials ، Rheological Characterization ، Temperature Sensitivity ، Circular Economy ، Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)