TY  - JOUR
AU  - Fini, Ellie H. 
AU  - Al-Qadi, Imad L. 
AU  - Abu-Lebdeh, Taher 
AU  - Masson, Jean-Francois 
PY  - 2011
TI  - Use of Surface Energy to evaluate Adhesion of Bituminous Crack Sealants to Aggregates
JF  - American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
VL  - 4
IS  - 2
DO  - 10.3844/ajeassp.2011.244.251
UR  - https://thescipub.com/abstract/ajeassp.2011.244.251
AB  - Problem statement: The performance of bituminous sealants in the field is partly
controlled by properties and strength of the sealant-aggregate interface. The thermodynamic work of
adhesion represents energy required for reversible separation of the two materials at the interface. The
study of fracture includes the energy required for both reversible and irreversible processes during
separation. Excess of work of facture over work of adhesion represents the energy consumed by
irreversible processes in the specimen during loading and fracture. In addition, adhesion strength is
related to the properties of constitutive components. Approach: The objective of this study was to
measure or predict adhesion of hot-poured bituminous-based sealant to aggregates of different
chemical composition. In order to accomplish, the study of fracture and the thermodynamic work of
adhesion were estimated for 14 hot-poured bituminous-based sealants with two types of aggregate:
Limestone and quartzite. The work of adhesion for each sealant-aggregate system was calculated from
the contact angle measurements of system components at corresponding sealant installation
temperature. Results: In general, limestone showed better adhesion to hot-poured crack sealant than
quartzite. Interfacial parameters such as contact angles and surface tensions were successfully used to
differentiate between sealants. Conclusion/Recommendation: The findings were in agreement with
preliminary testing results of 14 sealants using a newly developed fixture in the direct-tension testing
machine. Provided the sealant has an appropriate viscosity to fill the crack, as the sealant surface
tension decreases, its adhesion strength increases.