Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Performance Comparison of Polymer-modified Bitumen with Virgin and

Recycled Polyethylene Plastics

Implications for road development and durability in Jamaica

Jhordanne J. Jones, Victor E. Douse, Keith L. Duncan Materials Science Research Group

UWI Mona

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Are any of these familiar to you?

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Introduction

Polymer-modified bitumen goes here

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Oxidation Polarity of Asphalt

Reduction in polar molecules

Fractures and permanent deformation

Greater affinity to water

Moisture Damage and Stripping

Limitations of Asphalt

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

So… how can we improve the asphalt?

We could add plastic….

A Solution…

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

A Solution….

BUT WHAT ABOUT US?

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Two types of polyethylene are used:

High density polyethylene (HDPE)

Low density polyethylene

(LDPE)

A Solution…

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Disadvantages of Asphalt Desirable Characteristics of Polyethylene

Susceptibility to oxidation

Susceptibility to water damage

Permanent deformation and fracture

Chemically resistant

Water resistant and weather-

proof

Durable , flexible and tough

What characteristics can Polyethylene give to Asphalt?

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Penetration Grade

The penetration grade is a measure of how

adhesive the modified bitumen sample is

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Penetration Grade

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

0 5 10 15 20

Pen

etra

tio

n G

rad

e

Percentage virgin LDPE resin (%)

Penetration grade vs Percentage virgin LDPE resin

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0 5 10 15 20

Pen

etra

tio

n G

rad

e

Percentage recycled HDPE/LDPE blend (%)

Penetration vs Percentage recycled HDPE/LDPE blend

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Marshall Stability

The Marshall Stability is a measure of how stable an

modified asphalt sample (binder plus aggregate and

filler) is once its maximum load is applied.

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Marshall Stability

24.3

24.4

24.5

24.6

24.7

24.8

24.9

25

25.1

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Mar

shal

l sta

bili

ty (

kN)

% Plastic Added

Marshall Stability vs Percentage Plastic Added

Recycled blend

Virgin resin

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Flow

The Flow measures the degree of deformation

from the initial state of the asphalt sample with

an applied load.

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Flow

-0.5

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Flo

w v

alu

e (

mm

)

% Plastic added

Flow value vs Percentage Plastic Added

Recycled blend

Virgin resin

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Marshall Quotient

The Marshall Quotient is an indication

of the sample’s susceptibility to

permanent deformation.

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Marshall Quotient

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14

Mar

shal

l Qu

oti

en

t (k

N/m

m)

% Virgin Plastic

Marshall Quotient vs Percentage virgin LDPE resin

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

Mar

shal

l Qu

oti

en

t (k

N/m

m)

% Recycled Blend

Marshall Quotient vs Percentage recycled HDPE/LDPE blend

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Flash Point

The Flash point is the temperature at which

enough gases are given off from the heated

bitumen sample to sustain combustion.

Performance Evaluation of Modified Bitumen

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

IN CONCLUSION…

•A small amount of plastic goes a long way • Recycled plastic is a viable and cost- effective alternative to virgin plastic

• Adding polyethylene not only strengthens the asphalt mixture, but provides a safer product by increasing the flash point.

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Implications….

• More durable, longer lasting roads • Millions of dollars saved on maintenance of roads

• Reductions in pollution

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Further Research…

• How is water drainage affected by bitumen modification? •Does the polyethylene additive affect skid resistance?

• How can we increase homogeneity?

Materials Science Research Group Department of Physics, UWI (Mona)

Thank You !