Comparison of elvaloy and styrene-butadiene-styrene added polymer modified bitumen

Abstract

One of the methods used to produce road pavements resistant to increased traffic volume and harsh environmental conditions is to improve the properties of bituminous binders, such as high temperature resistance and aging resistance, by using various additives. Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene and Elvaloy are two different commercial additives that are frequently used in pavement construction. In this study, the performance of three different B50/70 grade pure bitumens was modified by using Elvaloy at 1.6%, 1.7%, and 1.8%, and five different B50/70 grade pure bitumens were modified using 4.0%, 4.5%, and 5.0% Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene. Penetration, softening point, elastic recovery, flash point, storage stability, dynamic shear rheometer, beam bending rheometer, rotational thin film oven, and pressure aging vessel tests were applied to the binders in accordance with the Polymer Modified Bitumen technical specifications. According to the test results, it was determined that the additive rates for both modifiers are the optimum values in accordance with the specification. The results of the storage stability tests also showed that the non-homogeneous dispersion of the Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene modified binders during mixing had a significant effect on the behaviour of the binder after storage.