Journal of Civil Engineering Research 2015, 5(4A): 11-16 DOI: 10.5923/c.jce.201501.03 The Effects of Nano Silica Particles on the Physical Properties and Storage Stability of Polymer-Modified Bitumen Dhawo Ibrahim Alhamali 1,* , Nur Izzi Md. Yusoff 1 , Jiantao Wu 2 , Quan Liu 2 , Shaban Ismael Albrka 1 1 Dept. of Civil and Structural Engineering, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia 2 College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hohai Universiti, China Abstract This study was conducted to investigate the physical and morphological properties and storage stability of polymer modified bitumen’s (PMB) mixed with nanosilica (NS). Polymer modified bitumen, PG-76 and NS were mixed with concentration of bitumen’s weight at 0, 2, 4 and 6%. Throughout the process, the binders were regulated at 163°C and blended using a shear rate of 3000 rpm for 1 hour. Microscopic examinations of the bituminous binders were then carried out using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM); the SEM images show that the NS particles disperse well in the bituminous binder matrix. The NS’ effect on the physical properties and an additional NS in the PMB identified to some extent reduced viscosity and ductility at 2 and 4% of NS, at 6% were stable to increase. Additionally, the NS-PMBs binders softening point increased and penetration decreased. Furthermore, NS-PMBs binders’ storage stability depended mainly on NS content and the storage stability succeeded with NS at concentration 6% by weight of bituminous binder. As result, the nanosilica particles are a good modifier in inhibiting oxidizing reactions in the bitumen binder. Keywords Nano-polymer modified bitumen, Nano Silica Particles, Physical properties, Storage stability 1. Introduction Bitumen is made up of complex composition of chemical that displays viscous and elastic properties equally which rely comprehensively on time and temperature [1]. Researchers and engineers have tried to utilize different types of modifiers to amend and better how bitumen materials perform, together with styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) [2]. Many researchers have revealed how polymer-modified bitumens better the possible deficiencies with the asphalt mixture pavements overall performance [3]. The styrenic block copolymers (e.g. styrene–butadiene– styrene, SBS) seem to have the highest potential to benefit bitumen modification [4]. And it was known that the addition of SBS can improve conventional bitumen compositions physical and mechanical properties [5]. Nevertheless, the stability of the SBS-modified bitumen storage is generally poor when temperatures are raised due to the SBS and bitumen weak compatibility. Several methods have been established to prepare stable practical storage SBS-modified bitumen. The succeeding growth of polymer nanocomposites has caused a great interest in * Corresponding author: Dhawo_ibrahim@yahoo.com (Dhawo Ibrahim Alhamali) Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/jce Copyright © 2015 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved academic and industrial communities. Essentially, polymer nanocomposites are made up of a blend of one or more polymers with various nanomaterials such as nanoclays, carbon nanotubes, etc. [6]. The use of nanomaterial in asphalt pavement started rather late. Nano-technology is utilized as a new material, device and system at the molecular stage. Several nano-materials which have been or have the possibility to be utilized to modify bitumen, such as nano-clay, nano-silica, nano-hydrated lime, nano-sized plastic powders, or polymerised powders, nano-fibres, nano-tubes to name a few [7]. Yao et al. [4] gauge the rheological properties and bituminous binders which have been modified with nano are blended with nanosilica chemical bonding. In this research, adding nanosilica to the control bitumen at contents 4% and 6% decided on the bituminous binders’ weight. The study showed that the antiaging property, rutting and fatigue cracking nanosilica modified binders’ performance are improved, and nanosilica added in the control asphalt mixture considerably betters in terms of dynamic modulus, flow number, and resistant to rutting (permanent deformation). Nano-SiO2 powder and SBS probable benefits were reported for the asphalt mixtures used on pavements. A primary study was carried out to determine bituminous binder and modifiers physical properties. The results of this