Evaluating the role of recycling rate and rejuvenator on the chemo-rheological properties of reclaimed polymer-modified binders. (1st June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Margaritis, Alexandros; Pipintakos, Georgios; Jacobs, Geert; Hernando, David; Bruynen, Mats; Bruurs, Jeroen; Van den bergh, Wim
• Is Part Of: Road materials and pavement design. Volume 22(2021)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S83
• Page End: S98
• Publication Date: 2021-06-01
• Subjects: Reclaimed asphalt binder -- recycling -- polymer-modified binder (PMB) -- rejuvenator -- polymer activity -- rheology; Road materials -- Periodicals; Highway engineering -- Periodicals; Pavements -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; 625.805
• DOI: 10.1080/14680629.2021.1905700
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1468-0629

Abstract

Abstract : Incorporating reclaimed asphalt (RA) in surface layer mixtures is still limited due to performance concerns, and it becomes even more challenging when combining aged polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) with virgin PMB. This study aims to evaluate, from a binder perspective, the feasibility of incorporating reclaimed polymer-modified binder (RPMB) in new surface layer mixtures. To address this challenge, blends of RPMB and virgin PMB were investigated at three replacement rates (20%, 40% and 60%) with and without a tall oil-based rejuvenator. First, the viscoelastic behaviour of the blends was assessed using a dynamic shear rheometer. Moreover, physicochemical changes were tracked using infrared spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The experimental investigation revealed that, due to polymer degradation of the RMPB, only the blends with 20% RMPB exhibited polymer activity. Finally, the use of the rejuvenator compensated for the rheological properties of the aged RPMB and reduced the susceptibility to non-load-associated cracking.