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Using Polymer Modified Asphalt Emulsions in Surface Treatments A ...

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Exam<strong>in</strong>ations of non-emulsified asphalt b<strong>in</strong>ders which have been subjected to direct<br />

polymer modification <strong>in</strong>dicate the presence of widely distributed polymer droplets of<br />

vary<strong>in</strong>g size, and numerous occurrences of “swollen” (i.e., coalesced) polymer – an<br />

<strong>in</strong>dication of <strong>in</strong>compatibility between the polymer and bitumen phases. However, when<br />

pre-blended asphalts are emulsified, the result<strong>in</strong>g mixture exhibits well-distributed and<br />

discrete f<strong>in</strong>e particles of polymer, areas of swollen polymer, and aggregated<br />

asphaltenes – characteristics which represent a marked improvement <strong>in</strong> bitumenpolymer<br />

compatibility (47). Thus, whereas co-mill<strong>in</strong>g and soap pre-batch modification<br />

yield a bi-phase of asphalt and polymer, pre-blend<strong>in</strong>g produces a monophase of asphalt<br />

and polymer after emulsification as illustrated <strong>in</strong> Figure 11. Additionally, pre-blend<strong>in</strong>g<br />

was shown to ultimately yield a much more homogeneous and more thorough<br />

distribution of polymer than did modified hot b<strong>in</strong>ders, suggest<strong>in</strong>g that pre-blended<br />

polymer-modified asphalt emulsions may lead to more consistent cohesive strength<br />

performance, better elasticity, and improved stone retention characteristics than<br />

modified hot mix asphalt (47). Indeed, when lateral shear stress was applied to a dried<br />

pre-blended modified emulsion sample <strong>in</strong> the Forbes study, the polymer network was<br />

found to predictably elongate and resist deformation (47). However, Forbes et al<br />

caution that pre-blended asphalt emulsions do not produce a cont<strong>in</strong>uous polymer<br />

network as seen <strong>in</strong> co-mill<strong>in</strong>g or soap pre-batch<strong>in</strong>g mixes, and recommend further<br />

<strong>in</strong>vestigation to determ<strong>in</strong>e if this structural difference might impact performance.<br />

Figure 11: Pre-Blended <strong>Asphalt</strong>-<strong>Polymer</strong> Monophase (54)<br />

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