The Types of Modifier in Bitumen

INTRODUCTION
Bitumen is a black or dark brown non-crystalline solid or viscous material, composed
principally of high molecular weight hydrocarbons, having adhesive properties, derived from
petroleum either by natural or refinery processes and substantially soluble in carbon disulphide.
Refer to Ali Akhber Yousefi (!!", bitumen in pure form is not suitable for modern roads and
present traffic, therefore forced engineers to modify bitumen to improve its performance during
service life.
#he modified binder are more stable under heavy loads, braking and accelerating forces
and shows increased resistance to permanent deformation in hot weather. $t resists fatigue loads
and having better adhesion between aggregates and binders.
TYPE OF BITUMEN MODIFIER AND ADDITIVE
#here are % type of bitumen modifier, namely &
('" physical modification
(" chemical modification
(%" other type modification
#he table ' below showed the type of modifier and e(ample of additive that being used to
modify the bitumen.
T!"e #$ The type of physi%" modifier nd dditi&e used in the mteri"
'Red nd (hiteo)* +,,-.
Among many different polymers used in bitumen modification such as thermoplastics,
thermosets, thermoplastic elastomers, the rubbers seems to be more attractive. Although
thermoplastic elastomers such as styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer
()B)" or its hydrogenated forms and plastomers such as ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer (*+A"
are good bitumen modifiers, rubbers are preferred due to their lower prices. $n fact, bitumen is
TYPE OF MODIFIER TYPE OF ADDITIVE
('" #hermoplastic *lastomers )tyrene , butadiene , styrene ()B)"
)tyrene , butadiene , rubber ()BR"
)tyrene , isoprene , styrene ()$)"
)tyrene , ethylene , butadiene -
styrene ()*B)"
*thylene , propylene , diene
terpolymer (*-./"
$sobutene , isoprene copolymer
($$R"
0atural rubber
1rumb tyre rubber
-olybutadine (-B."
-olyisoprene
(" #hermoplastic -olymer *thylene vinyl acetate (*+A"
*thylene methyl acrylate (*/A"
*thylene butyl acrylate (*BA"
Atactic polypropylene (A--"
-olyethylene (-*"
-olypropylene (--"
-olyvinyl 1hloride (-+1"
-olystyrene (-)"
(%" #hermosetting -olymers *po(y Resin
-olyurethane Resin
Acrylic Resin
-henolic resin
supposed to keep its physical and rheological properties constant at different service
temperatures and loading conditions and transforms itself to a low viscosity 0ewtonian fluid at
mi(ing temperature ('2341". #his type of bitumen is called 5ideal bitumen6. 1onstant
rheological properties in a wide range of temperatures correspond to rubbery behaviour. $t is
concluded that the rubbers should be able to modify bitumen properties very well. #herefore,
many types of rubbers were introduced in bitumen (-BR, )BR and its late(, ground tire rubber
etc."
1hemical modification used the additive such as organo- metallic compounds, sulphur
and lignin. $t used the chemical agent as additive to modify the characteristic of pure bitumen.
.ue to vary comple( structure of bitumen, chemical modification of bitumen have not been
commerciali7ed as physical modification. #he types of additive used with different types of
modifier clearly shown in #able .
T!"e +$ Type of dditi&e ddin/ to %hemi%" modifier 'Red nd (hiteo)* +,,-0 Asph"t
A%demy* +,,1.
TYPE OF MODIFIER TYPE OF ADDITIVE
1hemical /odifiers 8rgano-metallic compounds
)ulphur
9ignin
:iber 1ellulose
Alumino-magnesium silicate
;lass fiber
Asbestos
-olyester
-olypropylene
Adhesion improvers 8rganic amines
Amides
Antio(idants Amines
-henols
8rgano-7inc<organo-lead compounds
0atural asphalts #rinidad 9ake Asphalt (#9A"
;ilsonite
Rock asphalt
:illers 1arbon black
=ydrated lime
9ime
:ly ash
*(tender )ulphur
CONC2U3ION
As conclusion, each modifier has their own additives as modifier agent. #here are many
modifier materials that can be used to mi( with bitumen to improve their performance as paving
material. Rubbers are preferred as bitumen modifier due to their lower prices and the availability.
0evertheless, the selection of modifier is depending on the user or company.
REFERRENCE3
4#5 Ali Akhber Yousefi (!!" 5Ru!!er Modified Bitumens.6 $ranian -olymer >ournal, '' (3".
4+5 Read, > and ?hiteoak, . (!!%". 53he"" Bitumen 6nd!oo)78 3
th
. *d. 9ondon.
4-5 Asphalt Academy (!!@" 5Te%hni%" 9uide"ine$ The Use of Modified Binders in Rod
Constru%tion76 -retoria. Asphalt Academy.