Interpretation of Thermal Effects in Differential Scanning Calorimetry Study of Asphalts

Abstract

The structural and thermal properties of petroleum asphalt and its components have been analyzed using temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This technique makes it possible to distinguish processes, such as “order–disorder” and glass transition, ensuring identification of structural- phase transitions that are undetectable or overlapping on conventional DSC curves. The analysis of thermal effects for macro- and microcrystalline paraffins; mono-, bi-, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; asphaltenes; and benzene and alcohol–benzene resins allows identifying and interpreting effects on DSC thermograms of test asphalts.