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Bitumen Emulsions
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Bitumen Emulsions
Developed first in early 1900s
In 1920s used in pavement applications
Initially used as dust palliatives
10-20% of all bitumen is used in the form of
bitumen emulsions
In India, about 3% of total bitumen
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Bitumen Emulsions
Application of bitumen without heat or without
dissolving it in a solvent
Emulsion is a two-phase system consisting of
bitumen, water and one or more additives
(emulsifiers)
Bitumen is dispersed throughout the water phase
in the form of discrete globules (0.1 to 5 microns)
The bitumen globules are held in suspension in
water and prevented from flocculating and settling
by electrostatic charges provided by emulsifier
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Bitumen Emulsions
Typically contain 50-75 % Bitumen, 0.1-2%
emulsifying agent
These components are introduced into a colloid
mill (having high speed rotor, 1000 to 6000rpm),
which shears the asphalt into tiny droplets
Emulsifier ion orients itself on the bitumen droplet
and provides electric charge
The emulsifier keeps the asphalt droplets in a
stable suspension, controls breaking time and aids
adhesion also
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Bitumen
globules (in
dispersion) Repulsion
Bitumen globule
Aggregate Surface
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Cationic Emulsion
RS - Rapid Setting (suitable for surface dressing
and patch repair)
Construction equipment
Traffic control
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Advantages of emulsions
do not require a petroleum solvent to
make it liquid
in most cases asphalt emulsions can be
used without additional heat
these factors contribute to energy
savings
environmentally friendly (little or no
hydrocarbon emissions)
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Testing of emulsions
Storage Stability Test : Settled for 24 hours
(difference in bitumen contents in the top and
bottom portions of the containers)
Testing of emulsions
Miscibility with Water : Examine for coagulation
Modified Binders
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Modified Binders
On majority of our roads conventional
bitumens perform satisfactorily
Special situations like
Very high traffic intensity
Overloaded highways, airports
Slow/stopped vehicles
Intersections, bus-stops
Loading/unloading, parking areas
require special binders
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Bitumen modifiers
Different modifiers are used to improve the
performance of binders
Sulphur
Natural rubber
Crumb rubber from discarded tyres
Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS)
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), HDPE,
LDPE, Polypropylene, etc
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Temperature Susceptibility
Penetration Normal
Modified
Site blending should be near the hot mix plant using only
appropriate mobile unit equipped with all testing facility
10 X 10mm
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
Recovery
Extended by 10cm
Separation Test
Storing the modified binders at elevated temperatures
can cause the constituents of the binders to separate
resulting in variation of properties from the top to the
bottom of the storage tank.
Separation Test
50g binder
Ends sealed
Kept vertically at 1630C
For two days
In a freezer at 6.70C
For 4 hrs
Cut into 3 portions