This study evaluated the effect of two encapsulation methods (i.e., dropping funnel and syringe pump), two concentrations of the alginate-based encapsulating material (2%, and 3%), and three oils as bitumen rejuvenators (virgin sunflower oil, waste cooking oil, and virgin engine oil) on the morphological, physical, chemical, thermal, and mechanical properties of encapsulated rejuvenators for asphalt self-healing purposes. A general factorial design 2 × 2 × 3 was proposed to design 12 different Ca-alginate capsules. Significant differences on the morphological, physical, and mechanical properties of the capsules were analysed by three-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD Post Hoc analyses. The effect of the type of oil on the self-healing capacity of cracked bitumen samples was also evaluated. The main results showed that the design parameters and their interactions significantly affected the morphological, physical, and mechanical properties of the capsules. Capsules synthesised via syringe pump method, with virgin cooking oil and 2% alginate was the most appropriate for asphalt self-healing purposes since its uniform morphology, encapsulation efficiency up to 80%, thermal degradation below 5% wt., and compressive strength above the reference asphalt compaction load of 10 N. Finally, the healing tests showed that virgin cooking oil can be potentially used as a rejuvenator to promote asphalt crack-healing.
Keywords: alginate; encapsulation; factorial design; post hoc analyses; rejuvenators; self-healing.