Modifying asphalt emulsion with different types of polymers for surface treatment applications

Asphalt emulsion produced from local asphalt 60/70 (Suez Co.) was modified with different types of polymers such as epoxy resin, latex styrene butadiene styrene (SBS), poly vinyl acetate (PVA), and with a mixture of two or more types of above mentioned polymers to produce a modified asphalt emulsion with high performance. This paper describes the method and technique for preparing asphalt emulsion as well as the tests, and evaluates several aspects concerning the prepared emulsion such as performance of evaporation residues, fuel and acid resistance, rheological properties, and durability. The results obtained revealed that all the modified asphalt emulsions gave better performance as compared with unmodified emulsion. Asphalt emulsion modified with a mixture of epoxy resin, latex SBR, and PVA showed the best road performance in terms of fuel and acid resistance. It was observed that the weight loss for unmodified binder, residue after evaporation of water, after immersion in kerosene for 120 min is 90% of its initial weight, while the binder improved with a mixture of SBS latex, epoxy resin, and PVA showed a weight loss of ?16% and 9% of its initial weight. Also, the admixture gives high acid resistance (weight loss ～ 9%) after immersing in 5% HCl. The dynamic viscosity test showed that asphalt emulsion modified with a mixture of SBS latex, epoxy resin, and PVA has the highest viscosity value which is a promising indication about the validity of its use for pavement in different applications.