Determination of the Temperature for Mixing Aggregates with Polymer-Modified Asphalts

Abstract

Mixing of aggregates and asphalt has to be done at an appropriately selected temperature. The mixing temperature controls the dryness of the aggregates, the quality of the mixture, the time it takes for the mix to cool down during laying and the ease of compaction during paving. A number of critical factors are to be considered when determining the mixing temperature. For unmodified asphalts, the procedure for determining the adequate mixing temperature is available. This is not the case for polymer-modified asphalts. In case the procedure recommended for unmodified asphalts is extended to polymer-modified asphalts, then unrealistically high mixing temperatures result. In the present work, a procedure is outlined for the determination of temperature for mixing aggregates with polymer-modified asphalts using a thermoplastic -modified asphalt (Novophalt) and a thermoplastic elastomer - modified asphalt (Styrelf) as case study materials.