Sustainable asphalt mixtures are of growing importance with Governments and societies demanding that road and other pavement engineers consider the introduction of recycling and the use of by-products in asphalt mixtures. The use of recycled asphalt millings is well established in asphalt production, with crumbed rubber as a binder modifier and extender, as well as blast furnace slag as an aggregate replacement, also accepted. In recent times, glass replacement of fine aggregate and plastic as a mixture or binder modifier and extender has also gained significant attention. There are many types of plastic than can be incorporated into asphalt binder and mixtures, with soft plastics that melt into the binder and modify its properties the most beneficial. Some commercially available recycled plastic products have been demonstrated to produce modified binder and asphalt properties that are similar to those associated with conventional polymer modification. This research compares binders modified with two commercially available recycled plastic products to binders modified with different dosages of conventional elastomeric (SBS) and plastomeric (EVA) polymers. The testing included binders before and after accelerating laboratory ageing and was based on a range of common index properties, as well as rheological properties. The results confirm that the recycled plastic modification of binders can produce products with properties comparable to conventional polymer modified binder properties. Therefore, these recycled plastic products should be considered to be sustainable polymers for asphalt binder modification, rather than being considered recycled plastic being disposed of in asphalt mixtures.

Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library 

Sustainable asphalt mixtures are of growing importance with Governments and societies demanding that road and other pavement engineers consider the introduction of recycling and the use of by-products in asphalt mixtures. The use of recycled asphalt millings is well established in asphalt production, with crumbed rubber as a binder modifier and extender, as well as blast furnace slag as an aggregate replacement, also accepted. In recent times, glass replacement of fine aggregate and plastic as a mixture or binder modifier and extender has also gained significant attention. There are many types of plastic than can be incorporated into asphalt binder and mixtures, with soft plastics that melt into the binder and modify its properties the most beneficial. Some commercially available recycled plastic products have been demonstrated to produce modified binder and asphalt properties that are similar to those associated with conventional polymer modification. This research compares binders modified with two commercially available recycled plastic products to binders modified with different dosages of conventional elastomeric (SBS) and plastomeric (EVA) polymers. The testing included binders before and after accelerating laboratory ageing and was based on a range of common index properties, as well as rheological properties. The results confirm that the recycled plastic modification of binders can produce products with properties comparable to conventional polymer modified binder properties. Therefore, these recycled plastic products should be considered to be sustainable polymers for asphalt binder modification, rather than being considered recycled plastic being disposed of in asphalt mixtures.

**[Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library](https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/9780784483510.005)** 

Comparing Binder Modified with Recycled Plastic to Conventional Polymer Modified Binders

Welcome to the International Airfield and Highway Pavements Conference of the Transportation & Development Institute (T&DI) of ASCE. This international conference will provide an unrivaled chance to interact and exchange information with worldwide leaders in the fields of highway and airport pavements, as well as airport safety technologies.

This conference will bring together designers, project/construction managers, academics, and contractors from around the world to discuss the state-of-the-art implementation, construction, design, in airfield and highway pavements.

Paper Proceedings: https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483527 | https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483503 | https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483510

Conference DOI: https://doi.org/10.26226/m.63284d15cb3e8e0012755dd4