The rheological properties of a bitumen emulsion modified with two types of SBR latex

ABSTRACT

Bitumen emulsions have recently been taken as one of the most frequently used binders for asphalt surface treatments (AST). Making use of modified bitumen emulsion is necessary to improve AST. Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) is one of the most commonly used modifiers. The present research study tested the residue of normal and modified bitumen emulsion with different percentages of SBR and X-SBR using ordinary and dynamic shear rheometer methods. The findings revealed that increasing latex SBR led to increasing softening point and needle penetration, so that temperature sensitivity of bitumen residue is reduced. The stiffness of modified bitumen emulsion residue improved significantly by increasing the percentage of SBR. Furthermore, comparing the effect of SBR and X-SBR on bitumen emulsion uncovered that in equal polymer percentage of 6%, X-SBR promoted performance graded for at least one performance grade. Finally, the study is innovative as it dealt with the comparison of high-temperature performance analysis of the impact of polymer percentage simultaneous with that of SBR structure on improving bitumen emulsion.

KEYWORDS:

• Bitumen emulsion
• high temperature
• pavement
• performance analysis
• SBR latex

Acknowledgments

The researchers would like to express their wholehearted thanks to South Khorasan Roads and Urban Department and Behboud Sanat Company, and also IPPI. The present article is part of the PhD thesis of Mr. Mohammad Abedini.