{
  "abstract": "Diatomite and microfibers have been investigated as asphalt modifiers, but limited attention has been given to how differences between diatomite sources and microfiber formulations are reflected across binder- and mixture-scale performance. This study investigated two diatomites (D1 and D2) and three microfibers—polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and basalt—using a multiscale experimental approach. The diatomites were characterized by particle-size analysis, SEM–EDS, XRF, and XRD, while the fibers were examined using SEM–EDS, XRD, and binder-retention testing. Diatomite-modified binders containing 10% and 15% modifier were evaluated for conventional, rheological, and aging properties. At the mixture scale, selected 15%D1 and 10%D2 systems were combined with the three fibers and compared with unmodified and 5% SBS-modified references. D1 was finer and had a slightly higher SiO2 content than D2, while both showed silica-rich porous structures. Diatomite generally increased binder consistency and viscosity and improved the high-temperature rheological response without changing the BBR critical temperature. The 10%D2-PAN mixture achieved the highest indirect tensile strength (4.29 MPa), while the tensile strength ratios of 10%D2-PAN and 10%D2-PET were 82–83%. The 10%D2 formulations showed Cantabro losses of 5.5–6.7% and permanent deformations of 0.247–0.255 mm. In the adapted 100 mm SCB test, 10%D2-PAN also produced the highest flexibility index (10.6) and fracture energy (7.3 kJ/m2). Overall, the results indicate that diatomite source characteristics and microfiber formulation should be considered together, with 10%D2-PAN exhibiting a favorable combination of strength, moisture-resistance, particle-loss, permanent-deformation, and fracture-related responses under the investigated conditions.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon 61080, Türkiye",
    "Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon 61830, Türkiye"
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 2,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Mustafa Taha Aslan",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0453-788X"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Erol İskender",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7934-839X"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7b427c0fbzm0j.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/polym18202597",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13708819",
  "id": "7b427c0fbzm0j",
  "issns": [
    "2073-4360"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2597",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2205|Asphalt Pavement Performance Evaluation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223183690",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13708819?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13708819",
  "pmid": "42942718",
  "published": "2026-10-21",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7b427c0fbzm0j.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:44Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/polym18202597",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/18/20/2597"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:22:12Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42942718",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42942718"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "issn:2073-4360",
      "subfield": "materials-polymers"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Physicochemical Characterization, Binder Rheology, and Engineering Performance of Diatomite–Microfiber Hybrid Asphalt Systems",
  "title_text": "Physicochemical Characterization, Binder Rheology, and Engineering Performance of Diatomite–Microfiber Hybrid Asphalt Systems",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:22:12Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/7b427c0fbzm0j",
  "venue": "Polymers",
  "versions": []
}