CHAPTER 5

INVESTIGATION FOR LOCAL MODIFIERS

5.1 Introduction

Two modifiers and a doping agent were tried out in order to improve bitumen
emulsions. These two modifiers are locally available at a less cost and the doping
agent is not locally available but a small quantity of the substance can improve
emulsion properties considerably. The two modifiers are "modifier-1" and
"modifier-2". The doping agent is "doping agent 1".

The main objective of this study is to improve the bitumen emulsion in case of
viscosity together with the other properties. For instance one advantage of bitumen
emulsion is its storability for several months. In most of the cases the value of
storage stability is greater than one indicating that settling of emulsion takes place
in the storage tanks which should be improved.

5.2 Local Modifiers

5.2.1 Local modifier-1

Industrial grade of local modifier 1 is suitable for the modification of the emulsion.
The industrial grade of modifier 1 is very cheap and available in plenty as a powder.
This acts as a thickening agent.

5.2.2 Local modifier-2

Local modifier-2 is a cheap modifier & available in plenty anywhere within the
country. It is available in liquid form. Therefore it is easy to incorporate.

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5.2.3 L a b o r a t o r y R e s e a r c h W o r k w i t h L o c a l M o d i f i e r - 1 & 2

Local modifier-2 is available in liquid form and cheap. The modifier 2 can be
incorporated to bitumen emulsion either at the manufacturing plant or at the
construction sites. This is compatible with any type of emulsion.

Laboratory investigations were carried out by using both the modifiers to

investigate how effective they are with bitumen emulsions.

Figure 5.1 shows the results of the viscosity tests carried out on the samples of
emulsions with the presence of modifiers 1&2. The same control sample was used
for testing with modifiers.

Viscosity V s % M o d i f i e r C R S - 2

110
90
00
.£> 70
cn
O 50
o
modifier 1
> 30
modifier 2
10
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50

% modifier

Figure 5.1: Viscosity of modified CRS-2

The figure 5.1 shows that the effectiveness of local modifiers with CRS-2, surface
dressing emulsion. According to the above figure viscosity increases with
increasing both the modifiers. Viscosity has improved from 60ss to 100 ss with
2.0% of modifier-2 and 80ss with 2.0% of modifier-1.

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Therefore according to the test results modifier 2 is superior to modifier 1 as a

viscosity enhancer.

penetration Vs % modifier
CRS-2
c 200
.2
-w150 1•Kl .
t 100 i— 1
<U
50 . —•—modifier 1
cu
< 0
Q_
B modifier 2
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00

% modifier

Figure 5.2; Penetration of the residues of modified CRS-2

Figure 5.2 shows that the penetration of the residues of CRS-2 samples tested with
the presence of both the modifiers. The test results shows that penetration with
modifier-2 is lesser than that with modifier-1 at a particular percent. For instance
penetration at 2.0% of modifier-2 is 100 (1/10 mm) and that with modifier 1 is 115
(1/10 mm). Modification of emulsions to have residues of lesser penetration is
feasible to a tropical country.

Storage stability Vs % modifier

CRS-2
0.6
^ modifierl
a modifier 2

0.00 1.00 2.00

% modifier

Figure 5.3:Storage Stability of modified CRS-2

Figure 5.3 shows that the storage stability improves with the presence of modifier 2
than with the presence of modifier 1. Reducing storage stability indicates that
emulsion modified with modifier 2 is better than emulsion with modifier 1 in
storage.

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Settlement after 5 days has reduced which indicates the improving in storage
stability. (Table 4a-7a of annex 4)

Ductility Vs % modifier

0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 i

% mod ifier

Figure 5.4: Ductility of modified CRS-2

Figure 5.4 shows that the results of the ductility of the modified CRS-2 with
modifier 2 are of lesser values than that with modifier 1. The values are above the
minimal given in the specification, ASTM 244. However reducing ductility
indirectly indicates that improving internal cohesion.

A similar series of tests as with CRS-2 were also carried out with modified CRS-1
and also CSS-1 (shown in annex 4). These results of the tests were also have shown
similar patterns to CRS-2.

Therefore it can be concluded by analysing the above-mentioned three series of the

tests carried out different samples, modifier 2 is better to use as a viscosity
enhancer. Modifier - 2 also improves emulsion to suit the local hot condition of the
country.

5.4 Method of Incorporation of the Modifier 2

Modifier-2 is miscible with emulsion and also with emulsifiers. Modifier-2

dissolves in water. Therefore modifier 2 can be incorporated into the bitumen
emulsion either at the production unit by adding to the soap solution or by adding to

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water line .It also can be incorporated through a separate tank. This is easily done
for the production units where separate tank is available for the incorporation of
polymers.

As the modifier-2 is locally available in plenty and can be purchased anywhere

within the country at a cheaper rate the incorporation can be done at anywhere in
the country. As this is available in liquid form incorporation can be done without
taking an additional effort or without using any mechanical device. Circulating
system, which is normally available in emulsion tankers, sprayers and bousers can
be used for mixing, as the modifier-2 is not that viscous. If the Emulsion available
at the construction site, anywhere within the country, is of substandard in quality,
insitu improvement will be-possible by adding modifier-2 to the sprayer or bouser
containing emulsion which is an advantage in case of eliminating the failures on
surface treatment. The flow property of the Emulsion can also be adjusted to suit
the site such as hilly terrains. It should be mentioned that Modifier-2 is available in

anywhere in the world-

5.3 Doping Agent

A doping agent was also tried to improve the quality of the emulsifier. This material
can be used in very small quantities. However the material used for this study is
not locally available. It is not expensive as the dosage is very small. This is also an
economical option, comparing the additional cost may due for the frequent
rectification of the surface surface dressings because of inadequate quality of
material. There is also no problem in incorporation of this substance. It can be
added to the soap solution in the production line as in the recipe without any
additional efforts—The Figure 5.5 shows the improvement that can be made to
bitumen emulsions.

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 Effect of doping agent

200 ,

0.000 0.050 0.100 0.150

% doping agent
. _ _ i

Figure 5.5: effect of doping agent with CRS-2

The figure 5.5 shows that viscosity of the modified sample has increased above 100
ss even with the 0.1% of the doping agent. Table 4.3 will show the improvement of
the particle size distribution if the sample is modified with this agent. Adding of
this doping agent will reduce the range of the particle size distribution and also the
mean size of the particles which always preferred to have for better quality of
bitumen emulsions.

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