Polymer Modified Bitumen(PMB Bitumen) from Turkey and Dubai-UAE

 

Polymer Modified Bitumen Definition

Bitumen has been used for thousands of years and its importance as a valued engineering material continues to increase. The interest in the modification of bitumen using polymers, whether virgin, scrap or polymer blends, is intense. The last two decades, in particular, have seen an increase in the number of academic groups studying polymer-modified bitumen and correspondingly the peer-reviewed literature in the field has increased. Initially, studies on polymer modified bitumen (PMB) focused more on engineering and empirical measurements, e.g. ageing and softening point. However, in recent years a plethora of techniques have been employed in the study of the effect of the addition of polymers on a range of bitumen properties, polymer—bitumen morphology and polymer—bitumen interactions.

Polymer modified bitumen(PMB) is one of the specially designed and engineered bitumen grades that are used in making pavement, roads for heavy duty traffic and home roofing solutions to withstand extreme weather conditions. PMB is a normal bitumen with the added polymer, which gives it extra strength, high cohesiveness and resistance to fatigue, stripping and deformations, making it a favorable material for infrastructure.

When a polymer is added to regular bitumen, it becomes more elastomeric, which provides it with additional elasticity. The polymer that is added is styrene butadiene styrene (SBS), which acts as a binder modification agent. The primary objective of SBS polymer-modified bitumen is to provide extra life to pavement, roads, and construction designs.

Pavements designed and constructed for heavy-duty traffic and extreme weather conditions require specially designed engineered Bitumen Grades. By changing the characteristics of normal bitumen with the addition of a polymer, either they are of elastomeric nature or elastomeric, we succeed to obtain bitumen that allows the mixture to be more cohesive, with much more strength and significant higher resistance to parameters like fatigue and permanent deformations for road pavements.

PMB Applications

Polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) finds application in various sectors of road construction and maintenance due to its enhanced properties. Some common applications of PMB include:

1. Asphalt Mixtures: PMB is used as a binder in asphalt mixtures for road pavements, highways, airports, and other heavy-duty surfaces. It improves the durability, flexibility, and resistance to rutting and cracking of asphalt concrete.
2. Surface Treatments: PMB can be applied as surface treatments, such as slurry seals and micro surfacing, to rejuvenate and protect existing pavements. It enhances the durability and skid resistance of road surfaces, extending their service life.
3. Pavement Rehabilitation: PMB is used in pavement rehabilitation projects to upgrade existing road surfaces, repair cracks, and prevent reflective cracking. It helps to strengthen the pavement structure and improve its resistance to fatigue and distress.
4. Waterproofing Membranes: PMB is utilized in waterproofing membranes for infrastructure projects such as bridges, tunnels, and parking decks. It provides excellent adhesion and waterproofing properties, protecting structures from moisture damage and extending their lifespan.
5. Crack Sealants: PMB-based crack sealants are used to repair and seal cracks in asphalt pavements, preventing water infiltration and further deterioration. They help to maintain the integrity of the pavement and prevent the formation of potholes.

benefits of PMB when used in pavement applications include:

While the benefits of using modified asphalts are widely acknowledged, not all asphalt mixes or treatments need to be modified. Each application should be evaluated to determine if the traffic loading, anticipated service life, environmental conditions and desired performance justify the use of modifiers. Modified asphalts can be a good investment.

The rheological properties of conventional binders may be modified by the introduction of:

Elastomers;
Plastomers;
Crumb rubber;

The modification is costly and is normally justified when bituminous surfacing are subjected to severe conditions such as:

Steep gradients;
Very high road surface temperature;
High traffic loading; or
Heavily trafficked intersections.
Modification may also be advantageous for surfacing on highly flexible and cracked pavements, where an improvement in the rheological properties of the bitumen is required.
Use in such applications should be guided by expert opinion.
In addition to the primary aims above, the range of properties improved include
Durability;
Aggregate retention;
Resistance to permanent deformation;
Resistance to fatigue cracking;
Cohesion (internal strength);
Elasticity;
Viscosity less susceptible to temperature changes.
Modification agents
The primary aim of the modification of bitumen for use in structural layers is to increase the resistance of these layers to permanent deformation at high road temperatures without compromising the properties of these layers over the rest of the prevailing temperature range.
The use of polymer modified bitumen to obtain improved performance is rising as a result of increases in tire pressures, axle loads, and higher traffic volumes.
Improved performance can be achieved in two ways, both of which are aimed at reducing the permanent strain:
An increase in the elastic component with an associated reduction in the viscous component; and
Stiffening of the bitumen to reduce the total viscoelastic response of the layer.

The modification is achieved by the introduction of polymers (including crumb rubber), aliphatic synthetic wax or naturally occurring hydrocarbons.

Polymers can be broadly categorized as “elastomers” (sometimes referred to as thermoplastic elastomers) for improving the strength and elastic properties of a binder, and “plastomers” (sometimes referred to as

thermoplastic polymers) for increasing the viscosity of the bitumen.

PMB Advantages

• Greater Rigidity
• Better resistance to permanent deformation
• Higher Resistance to spreading cracks
• Greater water resistance
• Much higher durability
• Enhances life of periodical maintenance and overlays by about 1.5 times as compared to conventional Bitumen.
• Lower susceptibility to temperature variations.
• Higher resistance to deformation wear and tear.
• Low glass transition temperature which gives excellent performance properties of pavement at low temperatures.
• Stiffer blend reduces rutting and stability at high temperatures.
• Enhances Dimensional stability and strength of pavement.
• Improves abrasion resistance of pavement Improves abrasion resistance of pavement.
• Improves Fatigue resistance.
• Reduces Oxidation and aging resistance.
• Reduces structural thickness of pavement.
• Provides better adhesion between different aggregates.
• Delay cracking and reflective cracking.

Polymer-modified bitumen (PMB) finds application in various sectors of road construction and maintenance due to its enhanced properties. Some common applications of PMB include:

• Asphalt Mixtures: PMB is used as a binder in asphalt mixtures for road pavements, highways, airports, and other heavy-duty surfaces. It improves the durability, flexibility, and resistance to rutting and cracking of asphalt concrete.
• Surface Treatments: PMB can be applied as surface treatments, such as slurry seals and micro surfacing, to rejuvenate and protect existing pavements. It enhances the durability and skid resistance of road surfaces, extending their service life.
• Pavement Rehabilitation: PMB is used in pavement rehabilitation projects to upgrade existing road surfaces, repair cracks, and prevent reflective cracking. It helps to strengthen the pavement structure and improve its resistance to fatigue and distress.
• Waterproofing Membranes: PMB is utilized in waterproofing membranes for infrastructure projects such as bridges, tunnels, and parking decks. It provides excellent adhesion and waterproofing properties, protecting structures from moisture damage and extending their lifespan.
• Crack Sealants: PMB-based crack sealants are used to repair and seal cracks in asphalt pavements, preventing water infiltration and further deterioration. They help to maintain the integrity of the pavement and prevent the formation of potholes.

Different Types of Polymer Modified Bitumen Packaging

Polymer modified bitumen (PMB) is commonly used in various applications such as road construction, roofing, and waterproofing. Here are some common types of packaging for PMB:

1. Drums: PMB is often packaged in steel or plastic drums, typically ranging from 100 to 200 liters in capacity. Drums are suitable for smaller-scale projects and provide easy handling and storage.
2. Bulk Tankers: For larger-scale projects or industrial applications, PMB can be transported and stored in bulk tankers. These tankers can hold several tons of PMB and are commonly used for road construction projects.
3. Polymer Bags: Some manufacturers offer PMB in polymer bags, which are typically used for smaller quantities or for convenience in handling. These bags are usually made of heavy-duty plastic and can hold anywhere from 20 to 50 kilograms of PMB.
4. Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs): IBCs, also known as totes, are another packaging option for PMB. These large containers, typically made of plastic or metal, can hold several hundred totes of PMB and are suitable for medium-scale projects.
5. Custom Packaging: Depending on specific project requirements, PMB can also be packaged in custom containers or packaging solutions tailored to the needs of the customer or application.

Each type of packaging has its advantages and is chosen based on factors such as project scale, transportation logistics, and ease of handling.

Types of polymer modified bitumen

 

 

Specification of Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB)

 

 

Specification of Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB)

 

Polymer Modified Bitumen Technical Datasheet

 

 

Polymer Modified Bitumen Technical Datasheet