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Bitumen is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons for which microstructural understanding is incomplete. In an effort to detail this microstructure, a asphalt cement sample (CAP 30/45) was analysed by thermal phase detection atomic force microscopy. Phase contrast and topography images showed that sample morphology is highly dependent on temperature. The ‘bee structure’ changed considerably at temperatures between 50°C and 56°C. A decrease of the oscillation amplitude was observed upon heating and the ‘bees’ completely disappeared at temperatures above 57°C. When the temperature was decreased after melting at 170°C, the ‘bees’ began to nucleate gradually at temperatures of 57°C and its evolution with time was followed. Changes in morphology were compared to thermal analysis results and a model for the ‘bee’ structure was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic Force Microscopy was employed in order to relate the features observed on the surface of a 50/70 asphalt binder according to its local stiffness and elastic recovery. Indentations were performed in different points of the surface and a significant variation of elasticity was observed between the points on the so-called bee structure and the matrix. Also, indentations varying the maximum force were performed on similar white spots in the bee structure and the recovery was followed up to 1 h after indentation. It was observed that the elastic recovery is very much dependent on the colloidal structure of the bee. The final surface state of the binder, close to the bee for usual bees is not the same as the initial one indicating severe plastic deformation. Also, permanent phase change could be observed for bright spots presented in not well-structured bee arrangements. A surface hardening was observed in the bee region., (© 2011 The Authors Journal of Microscopy © 2011 Royal Microscopical Society.)