The Performance of a Highly Modified Binders for Heavy Duty Asphalt Pavements

Long-lasting asphalt pavements as a concept arose in the late XX century. According to assumptions it is possible to achieve durability even for 50 years. The key to achieve so long-lived is appropriate choice of an asphalt binder, except for the relevant properties of asphalt mixtures. A few years ago a new family of highly modified binders was created which was characterized by reversed-phase of polymer-bitumen mixture, and it is now a perfect example of a binder which fulfil the pavement longevity assumptions concept. Based on a new, special polymer which was developed by polymer industry, a new family of binders – Highly Modified Asphalts (HiMA), has been developed – ‘hard’ (EN 25/55-80, PG 94-22), ‘middle’ (EN 45/80-80, PG 82-28) and ‘soft’ (EN 65/105-80, PG 76-28). All binders were tested according to very wide test program. Results confirmed superior performance of tested binders and their very positive influence on asphalt. The paper presents tests results and analysis of polymer modified binders, HiMA type. The research has been done based on the European standards and according to the Superpave (PG grade system).