Rubber-polyethylene modified bitumens

Effect of the blends of different polyethylenes (LDPE = low-density polyethylene, LLDPE = linear low density polyethylene and HDPE high density polyethylene) and rubbers (PBR = polybutadiene rubber, SBR = styrene butadiene random copolymer, NR = natural rubber and SEBS = styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer) on bitumen properties was investigated. PBR-PE Blends form a physical network in bitumen medium, whereas their SBR, NR and SEBS counterparts do not. The properties of the resulting bituminous blends are comparable with those of SEBS blends. LLDPE shows a higher rate of effectiveness on bitumen properties as compared with other polyethylenes. SBR Blends show a better elastic recovery and film forming properties. Addition of heavy vacuum slops (HVS) oil into the ternary blends of rubber-PE-bitumen results in rubber an increase in inclusions volume. The rubber swelling increases as HVS oil concentration increases. An increase in HVS Oil concentration could be adjusted depending on the designed performance grade (PG). SBR-PE Blends found to be the most effective blends on bitumen properties.