Polymer bitumen
Nanocomposite bitumen
Nanotechnology or Nanoscience deals with the structure of materials on a very small scale. This technology is currently used in most different health, chemical, pharmaceutical, polymer, etc. industries.
Due to the 90% use of bitumen in road construction, the use of Nano compounds alone or along with other additives in the bitumen and asphalt industry in the world is mostly being done experimentally and academically. Considering the weight percentage of bitumen used in asphalt mixture and the high volume of asphalt used in road construction in countries, the use of Nano compounds on an industrial scale is associated with a high price increase and does not seem economical.
Although in some specific asphalt applications such as bridges and airports, Nano fiber materials, Nano lime, etc. are rarely added to the asphalt mixture for strength, these compounds are added to the materials and not to the bitumen product. In Iran, no bituminous mixtures containing Nano compounds have been reported industrially. In some special projects, the use of Nano additives directly to the asphalt mixture materials has been reported.
Various types of Nano compounds have been added to bitumen on a laboratory scale, such as clay Nanocomposites, calcium Nano carbonate, carbon Nanotube, Nano silica, etc. Regarding the use of Nanotechnology in the bitumen industry, it can be said that the addition of these compounds to bitumen with a very low percentage works mainly like the addition of suitable polymers with a high percentage.
Adding Nano compounds with very low percentages to bitumen mainly increases the softening point, viscosity and improves the high temperature performance of refinery bitumen. As a result, the behavior of the asphalt mixture produced with these compounds will be improved.
Today, polymers have found a special place in many different industries and have many applications and uses. In fact, polymer is a Greek word, where poly means many and Mer means part or part, and the word polymer means support, which is made by joining thousands of monomers. Natural polymer bitumen is one of the Bitumen that have unique properties and can have many uses. Natural Bitumen are among the Bitumen that have a high degree of purity and can be highly compatible with petroleum materials and have high resistance to temperature changes. In the following article, natural polymer bitumen will be investigated.
Natural bitumen and its characteristics
Natural bitumen, which is also known as bitumen and Gilsonite, is a natural mineral substance that has high viscosity and is composed of solid hydrocarbons. This black substance has high amounts of asphaltene and nitrogen and dissolves in organic solvents. The most important features of high-purity mineral bitumen are having a melting temperature between 160 and 220 degrees Celsius, excellent hydrophobicity, high resistance to acid and alkaline substances, high brittleness and high compatibility with petroleum substances. This material was discovered in 1860 and has many uses today.
Natural polymer bitumen
As mentioned, polymer means polymer and it is formed when thousands of monomer units are connected together. Polymers can have different types and each of them has different characteristics, capabilities and properties. Basically, polymers are divided into three main categories: thermoplastics, thermosets and thermoplastic elastomers. Among the most important characteristics of polymers, the following can be mentioned:
They have second order transition temperature called Tg.
They have different molecular mass and have a molecular mass distribution.
They are viscoelastic and have stress reduction mechanisms beyond other materials.
Their mass to properties ratio is very high compared to other materials.
Elastomer thermoplastic polymers are used for mixing with synthesized bitumen and can change the properties of bitumen, especially for industrial purposes such as road construction. These polymers can solve the problems and deficiencies that exist in mixing rubbers and plastics with bitumen. These polymers can include things like polyurethanes, polyether polyester copolymer, olefin copolymers and styrene block copolymers.
The most important characteristics of natural polymer bitumen
Natural bitumen or polymer bitumen is one of the bitumen whose properties and characteristics are optimized and can have many applications. Among the most important features of natural polymer bitumen , the following can be mentioned:
Natural polymer bitumen has much more elasticity than normal bitumen.
These Bitumen can have higher resistance to temperature changes.
Polymer bitumen can have more adhesive strength than ordinary bitumen.
Polymeric Bitumen perform much better than conventional natural bitumen both at high and low temperatures.
These Bitumen have better elasticity and are very flexible.
These Bitumen can have much better resistance to movement and deformation.
The main applications of polymer bitumen
In recent years, it has been clearly proven that ordinary Bitumen can no longer meet the industrial needs of different societies, and this has caused Bitumen to be mixed and optimized with different materials. To solve problems such as creating large distances between bitumen grains, its polymerization method is used. Bitumen that have elastomeric thermoplastic resin have many uses today and are used in many countries. Natural bitumen, which exists in various forms such as Gilsonite powder, when it is in polymer form, due to its unique features and capabilities, it can have many applications and uses, the most important of which include the following:
These Bitumen can be suitable in the insulation industry, especially in the production of different types of isogam for different geographical locations.
Polymer bitumen can be used in the road industry and the production of polymer asphalts.
Use as anti-moisture insulation and coating in oil and gas industries
Application as protective coatings against oxidation and corrosion and…
Use in construction industry
Application in drilling, cement, automotive industries, etc.
the final conclusion
Natural bitumen is known as one of the best types of bitumen, which has various uses due to its unique characteristics such as high purity, melting temperature between 160 and 220, high resistance to moisture, excellent adhesion, compatibility with petroleum materials, etc. In fact, natural polymer bitumen has improved in terms of characteristics and properties and can have better and more uses compared to ordinary bitumen.
Faragam Company can produce with any standard requirements in the country of use, including EN 14023-2012 as well as ASTM D5976-00 and the PG Grading System (e.g. PG 80-10, PG 74-10, PG 70-26, PG 70-28, etc.).
