AN INTRODUCTION TO MODIFIED BINDERS

Bitumen can be modified by the addition of modifier or by special refinery processing. Most modifiers, which can be added to bitumen to enhance its performance, are polymers, which can be classified mainly into thermoplastic rubbers and thermoplastic crystalline polymers. For the modifier to be effective, and for its use to be practicable and economic, it must be easily available, resist degradation at asphalt mixing temperatures, blend with bitumen, appropriately improve the resistance to flow at high road temperatures, and be cost-effective. When blended with bitumen, it should maintain its properties, be usable by conventional equipment, and achieve a coating or spraying viscosity at normal application temperatures. This paper discusses specifically the modification of bitumen by adding thermoplastic polymers and thermoplastic rubbers, the improved asphalt properties using modified binders, and the fatigue cracking of Cariphalte DM. It is found that: (1) polymer modification can considerably improve the cracking, rutting, and durability performance of asphalt; (2) the better performance of modified asphalts more than compensates for their higher costs; and (3) bitumen and its use are complex engineering problems requiring considerable intellectual effort and expertise.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Shell Bitumen U.K.

    Riversdell House, Guildford Street
    Chertsey, Surrey,   England 
  • Authors:
    • READ, J M
    • GILES, D E
  • Publication Date: 1999

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: References;
  • Pagination: 6 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00799606
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
  • Files: ITRD
  • Created Date: Oct 6 2000 12:00AM