Journal of Jilin University(Engineering and Technology Edition) ›› 2026, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (9): 2373-2381.doi: 10.13229/j.cnki.jdxbgxb.20250203

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Micromechanical characterization of asphalt films based on nanoindentation testing

Ying WANG1,2(),Shu-ming LI2,Yi-chen CAI1,Yu-qing YUAN3()   

  1. 1.Key Laboratory of Road and Traffic Engineering，Ministry of Education，Tongji University，Shanghai 201804，China
    2.College of Transportation Engineering，Tongji University，Shanghai 201804，China
    3.School of Civil Engineering and Architecture，Henan University，Kaifeng 475004，China
  • Received:2025-03-14 Online:2026-09-01 Published:2026-09-07
  • Contact: Yu-qing YUAN E-mail:lexiying@outlook.com;yroad@126.com

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Abstract:

This study selected four different types of asphalt mixtures（AC-25， AC-13， AM-13， OGFC-13） and conducted nanoindentation testing to investigate the distribution characteristics of asphalt binder films within the mixtures. The test results indicated that asphalt binder films are widely present in asphalt mixtures， with an elastic modulus ranging from 13 to 17 GPa and a thickness between 2-7 μm. These films form a structural layer that closely adheres to the surface of aggregate particles. The asphalt binder film exhibits a load-bearing capacity intermediate between that of aggregate particles and asphalt， but with poor resistance to deformation. It tends to undergo plastic deformation and cannot fully recover after unloading. Although nanoscale pores are commonly present within the binder film， its micromechanical properties are primarily determined by other factors. This paper proposes a Delamination Model for the asphalt binder film， which reveals the failure mechanism whereby， under loading-unloading cycles， the mechanical responses of the binder film， aggregates， and asphalt are not synchronized， leading to the detachment of the binder film from the aggregate surface.

Key words: road engineering, asphalt binder films, nanoindentation testing, Young's modulus, micromechanical properties, delamination model

CLC Number: 

  • U414

Fig.1

Schematic diagram of film structure in asphalt mixtures"

Table 1

Mass passing rates of key sieve sizes"

级配类型筛孔孔径/mm油石比/%
4.752.360.075
AC?2541.330.55.63.5
AC?1354.738.85.94.0
AM?1324.215.64.14.0
OGFC?1324.314.94.34.0

Table 2

Basic performance indicators of aggregates"

试验项目石灰岩
压碎值/%11.8
洛杉矶磨耗损失/%17.8
表观相对密度/（t·m-3）2.791
坚固性/%8.2
吸水率/%0.31
针片状质量分数/%10.1
矿粉质量分数（水洗法）/%0.65
软石质量分数/%1.56

Table 3

Basic performance indicators of asphalt"

基性性能数值
针入度（25 ℃，100 g，5 s），0.1 mm68.7
软化点（环球法）/℃52.3
粘度（135 ℃）/（Pa·s）0.425
溶解度/%99.7
闪点（COC）/℃277
密度/（g·cm-3）1.022
延度（5 cm/min，15℃）/cm>150

薄膜加热试

验（163 ℃，5 h）

质量变化/%0.2
残余针入度比/%77
延度（15 ℃）/cm59

Fig.2

Schematic diagram of sampling points on cross-section of asphalt mixtures"

Fig.3

Nanoindentation test specimen"

Fig.4

Schematic diagram of load-displacement curves in nanoindentation testing"

Fig.5

Schematic diagram of contact between Berkovichindenter and specimen surface，and indentation diagram"

Fig.6

Nanoindentation test diagram of asphalt mixtures"

Fig.7

Heat map of elastic modulus from nanoindenta-tion testing for 4 types of asphalt mixtures"

Fig.8

Example of load-displacement curves in asphalt mixtures"

Fig.9

Schematic diagram of grid counting method"

Table 4

Total number of failure points for each asphaltmixture specimen"

AC25AC13OGFC13AM13
ⅠⅡⅠⅡⅠⅡⅠⅡ
192927314

Fig.10

Delamination model"

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