Polymer Modification of Paving Asphalt Binders

Abstract • Polymer modification of asphalt binders has become a more accepted method for addressing pavement distresses. The heavier vehicle loads, higher traffic volumes and increased tire pressures have forced user agencies to explore polymer modification for asphalt pavement applications. • The compatibility between the asphalt and polymer depends on many factors. The most significant of these, based on microscopy, are the asphalt crude source, polymer microstructure and the thermal/mechanical history of the polymer-modified asphalt binder. • Classical methods and methods derived specifically for measuring the effect of polymers in the asphalt have poor correlation to mixture performance. The tests also seem to be specific to the different polymers tested. The test conditions make it difficult to extract basic information about the binder's mechanical properties. • Considerable work has been done on the rheology of asphalt and polymer-modified asphalt binders over a wide range of temperatures and rates...