Catalytic Modification of Road Asphalt by Polyethylene

The purpose of this research is to achieve asphaltic concrete of much higher stability and lower thermal susceptibility. Test results showed that the addition of 5 wt% of polyethylene and of 2 wt% of a catalyst raised the softening temperature of asphalt D70 by 27.2 °C (80.9 °F), reduced penetration at 25 °C (77 °F) by 50.7 pen and increased the shear strength of asphaltic joints by $2.62\cdot {10}^5\cdot N\cdot m^{-2}\text{.}$ The stability of mean‐grained asphaltic concrete containing 5 wt% of polyethylene in its binder, determined by modified Marshall test, was as much as 2,720 daN (6,118 lbf) higher than that of concrete containing nonmodified asphalt. The examination of rheological properties of modified asphaltic concrete samples, performed at the temperatures of 10 °C (50 °F) and $-20°C(-4°F)\text{,}$ proved their increased tensile strength as well as reduced stiffness coefficient. Mineral‐asphalt mixes containing polyethylene modified binders, used for road construction and hydrotechnics seals, lead to remarkable savings due to their prolonged service life.