[Abstract] The materials composition has an important effect on rheological properties of Terminal Blend (TB) hybrid asphalt binder. In this study, TB hybrid asphalt binders containing crumb rubber modifier (CRM), styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and sulphur at different percentages were prepared. Storage stability test, Superpave Performance Grading (PG) test and multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) test, and Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR) were conducted to investigate rheological behaviours of TB hybrid binders. Rheological master curve constructed at 25°C was used to characterize the rheological behaviour of TB hybrid binders over wide frequencies. The results indicated that 0.2% or 0.3% sulphur amount might be desirable to produce TB hybrid binders with high storage stability. The addition of SBS and sulphur could enhance the high temperature properties and elastic response of TB rubberized asphalt binders. The high temperature true grade might not truly indicate the high temperature properties of TB hybrid binders. There was critical sulphur amount to stimulate the formation of elastic polymer network in TB hybrid binders. The TB hybrid binders investigated in this study presented better low temperature performance than SBS modified asphalt and base binder. The increase of sulphur amount caused the rise of m-value and creep stiffness, which resulted in less m-controlled TB hybrid binders. The gradual reduction of phase angle values at lower frequencies indicated the formation of elastic polymer network in TB hybrid binders. The phase angle behaviour observed from the master curve could be used to indicate the status of internal polymer structure of TB hybrid binders and to determine the critical sulphur content incorporated into asphalt binder.
