A MULTIFUNCTIONAL POLYMER MODIFIED BITUMEN

An elastomeric binder, produced by a special thermal manufacturing process involving SBS polymer and selected bituminous bases, is described. Multifunctionality of the binder is demonstrated by its suitability for use in various application areas: in hot mixtures, including thin and very thin surfacings, stone mastic asphalts and asphaltic concretes; in cold/warm emulsions for surface dressings and bond coats; and as a cutback for surface dressing. Such multifunctionality offers a logistics advantage for potential users. This binder possesses excellent storage stability as well as good properties in terms of rheology, cohesion and thermal susceptibility. When under the influence of heavy traffic, these properties confer on the finished product good resistance to rutting, cracking, peeling and stripping by water. The high fatigue resistance of dense asphaltic concrete designed with this binder is of particular interest in areas where high levels of deflection exist, such as bridge decks and structurally weak pavements. Also of particular note is the observation that the breaking of emulsions of this modified binder is not affected by the presence of the polymer. Some examples of the use of the binder on sites are discussed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E107185.