Traditional asphalt mixtures can't absorb microwave energy efficiently, which limits the development of microwave heating technology in the field of road maintenance. Based on the microwave heating characteristics of basalt aggregates, the overall microwave self-healing rate of the asphalt mixture can be enhanced. The basalt was tested by XRF, XPS, XRD and electromagnetic parameters to reveal its microwave heating mechanism. Through the heating rate test, SCB test and fatigue test of asphalt mixture, its heating characteristics, flexural strength, fatigue resistance and self-healing performance were studied. The results showed that the excellent wave-absorbing properties of basalt are highly correlated with the elements of Si, Fe and Al. Its TanδM was slightly larger than TanδE, which indicated that basalt can absorb microwave energy through dielectric loss and magnetic loss. The aggregate type and particle size both affected the microwave heating rate of the aggregates. After microwave heating, the flexural strength and fatigue resistance of asphalt mixture with basalt and limestone aggregates can recover at least 65% and 23% respectively.

Conventional asphalt mixture has poor microwave absorbing performance and microwave heating efficiency. Based on the characteristics of dielectric loss of scrap tire pyrolysis carbon black (PCB), it is proposed to improve the microwave absorbing performance and self-healing rate of bitumen. The phase composition and electromagnetic parameters of PCB were tested to reveal its microwave heating mechanism. The preparation parameters, heating characteristics and self-healing properties of PCB modified bitumen were studied through the dispersion uniformity test, microwave heating test and SCB test. The main phases of PCB are microwave absorbing carbon and silicon, indicating that PCB is a good electric loss microwave absorbing material. 40 min is the recommended mixing time of 15% PCB modified bitumen. PCB's dosage, microwave frequency and microwave heating time have significant effects on the microwave heating characteristics of PCB modified bitumen. PCB can improve high-temperature stability, thermal conductance, heat storage capacity and self-healing rate of bitumen.