Study of Thermal Oxidative Degradation of Asphalt Modified with Cyclic Natural Rubber-g-Maleic Anhydride Reactive Polymer

This study aims to investigate the effect of asphalt modification using a reactive polymer in the form of cyclic natural rubber grafted with maleic anhydride (CNR-g-MA) on the thermal oxidation resistance of asphalt. The modification was carried out ex situ by mixing the synthesized polymer with asphalt after the grafting process. CNR-g-MA was synthesized through a grafting reaction of maleic anhydride onto cyclic natural rubber using benzoyl peroxide as a radical initiator. The grafted product was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to identify functional groups and confirm the success of the grafting process. The modified asphalt was further analyzed using FTIR and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) to evaluate changes in chemical structure and thermal stability. FTIR spectra showed characteristic absorption peaks corresponding to carbonyl and ester groups, indicating successful grafting. TGA results revealed that asphalt modified with CNR-g-MA exhibited higher thermal stability compared to pure asphalt, suggesting improved resistance to thermal and oxidative degradation.