On the Effect of Recycled Polyolefins on the Thermorheological Performance of Polymer-Modified Bitumen Used for Roofing-Applications

Martin Wieser, Andreas Schaur, Seraphin Hubert Unterberger and Roman Lackner
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Martin Wieser: Unit of Material Technology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Andreas Schaur: Unit of Material Technology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Seraphin Hubert Unterberger: Unit of Material Technology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Roman Lackner: Unit of Material Technology, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 13, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-13

Abstract: In order to meet the technical specifications in roofing applications, the bitumen used for this purpose is standardly modified by polymers. This, in general, allows the re-use of recycled polymer during the production of polymer-modified bitumen (PmB), simultaneously reducing the amount of polymeric waste. Recycling processes, however, may degrade or contaminate polymers, leading to reduced crystallinity and lower melting temperature. Six different recycled polyolefins (high crystallinity: iPP, HDPE; reduced crystallinity: APP, PP Copolymer; waxy polyolefins: Wax 105, Wax 115) were assessed on their suitability for roofing applications. Mixing characteristics, polymer distribution and thermo-mechanical properties of the PmB samples were determined, employing fluorescence microscopy, modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry (MTDSC) and dynamic shear rheometry (DSR). Depending on mixing properties, two levels of polymer content (5 and 16 wt% or 16 and 30 wt%) were considered. High crystallinity polymers exhibited the biggest increase in |G*| and lowest phase angle. Reduced crystallinity polymers were more easily dispersed and showed improved |G*| and phase angle. Waxy polyolefins improved bitumen similarly to reduced crystallinity polymers and are easily dispersed. The results suggest, that a reduced crystallinity or lower melting temperature of the recycled polymers resulting from degradation or contamination may be beneficial, resulting in improved mixing behavior and a more homogeneous distribution of the polymer within the bitumen.

Keywords: polymer modified bitumen; polymer crystallinity; polymer recycling; polyolefins; roofing; HDPE; PP; PE (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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