Merits of Polymer Types Used with Different Local Bitumen Produced in Kurdistan, Iraq

Till now, the Iraqi specifications for asphalt binders depend on two methods for asphalt grading system, either based on penetration or viscosity. To overcome this shortage, the Super-pave method was invented in USA. The method evaluates asphalt binders through performance grade and this method is used in this research to reach the desired goals. Samples of asphalt with penetration grades of (40-50) and (60-70) were taken from three (3) different refineries, being equivalent to PG (70-28), PG (70-22) and PG (64-22). In this research, Polymer modification technique were used to achieve the required performance grade depending on different four (4) zones of PG in Kurdistan Region of Iraq, namely; {(64-22), (64-16), (70-10) and (76-10)}, to meet the required specifications for each zone. In the experimental work, local asphalt binders were used and have been modified with Polymer Elastomer type (SBS; Kraton and Iterprene SBS G-L) and Polymer Plastomer type (Iterplast 1806 brand). The results showed that both Polymers are helpful for local asphalt modification. The results showed that 2% of Kraton/Elastomer yields PG (82-28), and 2% of Iterprene/Elastomer yields PG (82-22) for Lanaz asphalt and those are applicable for all zones of Kurdistan Region of Iraq. On the other hand, 2% of Plastomer yields PG (82-22) for both Lanaz and Kat asphalts, this also is applicable for all zones of Kurdistan Region of Iraq.