INVESTIGATION OF RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF RUBBER-BITUMEN BINDERS

Abstract

Strict compliance with road pavement laying technology does not always guarantee high operational reliability. One of the main reasons for the insufficient durability of highways is the inadequate quality of the bitumen used. In this context, the transition to polymer-modified bitumen binders with enhanced performance characteristics represents a relevant trend in the development of the road construction industry. Thermoplastic elastomers based on styrene–butadiene–styrene are most commonly employed for bitumen modification; however, they are characterized by relatively high cost.In the present study, the effect of the combined use of plastic waste and commercial polymer modifiers on the rheological properties and chemical interactions of bitumen binders was experimentally investigated in order to reduce the cost of polymer-modified binders. Secondary low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste in the amount of 1–2% was used in combination with commercial polymer modifiers (SBS). The physical and mechanical properties of the resulting binders were determined in accordance with standard methods specified by ST RK.The results demonstrated that an increase in plastic waste content leads to an expansion of the bitumen plasticity interval in the presence of polymer modifiers. This indicates a positive effect of the applied polymers on improving the physical and mechanical properties of modified bitumen. New experimental data were obtained on the influence of plastic waste on the quality of polymer-bitumen binders, and the compatibility of the selected plastic waste with commercial polymer modifiers was confirmed.