Applications of epoxy materials in pavement engineering

The use of polymer-modified binders in asphalt mixtures has become more widespread due to their reduced thermal susceptibility and improved rutting and fatigue resistance. Nevertheless, their high cost limits their application, thus making the use of reclaimed polymers (RP) an interesting alternative for both reducing price and extending the service life of pavements. This paper; therefore, presents a comparative review of the recycled polymers most commonly studied as bitumen modifiers: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and ground tire rubber (GTR), in order to facilitate their selection and extend the use of the bitumen. The differences in terms of melting point, mixing conditions, and maximum quantity of added polymer are analyzed. Moreover, their effect on the mechanical behavior of the asphalt binders and their stability with and without the use of additives is presented. According to the literature revision, the performance of the new binder is more influenced by the kind of polymer that was incorporated and the mixing conditions than by the base bitumen that was chosen, although rheological evaluation is needed to fully understand the modification mechanisms of the modified binder. In general terms, plastomers have a stronger effect in terms of increasing the stiffness of the bitumen in comparison with crumb rubber (elastomers), thus providing an improved rutting resistance. The joint use of polyethylene (plastomer) and crumb rubber (elastomer) can be an interesting option for its recycling potential and mechanical performance, although further study is needed to achieve stable bitumen across the entire range of temperatures; additives, such as maleic anhydride (MA), are commonly employed to improve the stability of the binder and enhance its characteristics, but their use could limit the economic benefits of using recycled materials.

Reclaimed Polymers as Asphalt Binder Modifiers for More Sustainable Roads: A Review

Repurposing waste plastics into cleaner asphalt pavement materials: A critical literature review

Warm mix asphalt technology: An up to date review

Rheological and adhesion properties of nano-organic palygorskite and linear SBS on the composite modified asphalt

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer modified epoxy asphalt binders: Phase separation evolution and mechanical properties

Performance evaluation of warm mix asphalt additive modified epoxy asphalt rubbers

Investigation of secondary phase separation and mechanical properties of epoxy SBS-modified asphalts

As the most important thermoplastic and thermosetting modifiers, styrene–butadiene–styrene triblock copolymer (SBS) and epoxy resin have been widely applied in asphalt modifications. In this paper, epoxy SBS-modified asphalts (ESBAs) were prepared with epoxy monomer, curing agent and SBS-modified asphalts (SBAs) with various styrene–butadiene structures, which in turn were subjected to laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), viscous measurements, thermal analysis and tensile tests. The LSCM results revealed that both polymer-rich phase and fluorescent particle-rich phase were observed in the asphalt matrix. Moreover, the number of SBS particles in SBAs increased with the increase of styrene contents. The presence of SBS decreased the size of dispersed domains in the continuous epoxy phase of the neat epoxy asphalt binder (EAB). For ESBAs, a double phase separation occurred between SBA and epoxy in the continuous epoxy phase and between asphalt and SBS in the dispersed SBA phase. Both number and size of SBS domains in the dispersed SBA phase of ESBAs increased with the increase of styrene contents. The inclusion of styrenic polymers increased the viscosity of the neat EAB. The viscosity of ESBAs increased with the increase of average molecular weights of the styrenic polymers. The addition of styrenic polymers increased the glass transition temperature (Tg) and storage modulus (E′) of the neat EAB. Meanwhile, the inclusion of styrenic polymers weakened the damping properties of the neat EAB. The styrene-butadiene structures had little effect on the Tg and damping properties of ESBAs. The E′ of ESBAs decreased with the increase of styrene contents. The presence of SBS enhanced the thermal stability of the neat EAB. Tensile results showed that the addition of SBS increased the tensile strength of the neat EAB.

Microstructures, thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy asphalt binder modified by SBS containing various styrene-butadiene structures

Thermal and mechanical properties of natural fibrous nanoclay reinforced epoxy asphalt adhesives

Ya Liu

Papers

Ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer modified epoxy asphalt binders: Phase separation evolution and mechanical properties

Performance evaluation of warm mix asphalt additive modified epoxy asphalt rubbers

Investigation of secondary phase separation and mechanical properties of epoxy SBS-modified asphalts

Microstructures, thermal and mechanical properties of epoxy asphalt binder modified by SBS containing various styrene-butadiene structures

Thermal and mechanical properties of natural fibrous nanoclay reinforced epoxy asphalt adhesives