THERMAL ANALYSIS OF BITUMEN BLENDED WITH GRAPHENE NANOPARTICLES

Abstract

The reliability of rural transportation infrastructure plays a vital role in agricultural productivity and market access. However, conventional bitumen used in farm roads often fails under extreme temperatures and repeated mechanical loading from agricultural machinery. This study investigates the thermal degradation behavior of graphene nanoparticles (GNP)-modified bitumen to enhance its suitability for farm and rural road applications. Bitumen samples were modified with GNPs at concentrations of 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%, and tested using standard penetration, softening point, and flash point methods, along with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results show a significant improvement in thermal resistance, with onset degradation temperatures rising above 650 °C and residual mass at 800 °C exceeding 55% for a 5% GNP blend. These enhancements correlate strongly with conventional thermal indicators, confirming GNPs’ effectiveness in improving heat stability and rutting resistance. The findings suggest that GNP-modified bitumen holds considerable promise for constructing durable, low-maintenance rural roads capable of withstanding heavy use and harsh climates. Future work should explore long-term aging, mechanical fatigue, and sustainability impacts to further optimize its application in rural infrastructure development.