Influence of polymer type and structure on polymer modification of Saudi asphalt

The influence of polymer type and structure on the properties of polymer modified asphalt (PMA) was studied by rheological techniques. Low density polyethylene (LDPE), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and acrylate polymers were used in this study. The influence of molecular weight (Mw) of LDPE, vinyl acetate (VA) content of EVA, and alkyl acrylate content were investigated. Also, the performance of asphalts modified by LDPE and EVA, similar viscosity, were compared. Polymer modification significantly improved the rheological properties of the base asphalt. Temperature susceptibility of base asphalt was decreased in the case of EVA and acrylate polymer modification. Polymer type did not have strong influence on the ageing of PMA. EVA modified asphalt showed hardening behavior. Acrylate PMA showed more hardening behavior at high temperature than LDPE. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...