Analysis of new asphalt alternatives with polymers: A review

Abstract

Throughout the years we have realized the importance of asphalt in everyday life because to transport us from one place to another it is essential to pass the roads. There are a total of 171, 347 km of paved roads in Mexico of which 50, 435 km are federal roads, 101, 460 km state roads, 19,452 km others (municipal, private), 10,557 km toll roads and 1,192 places of payment. A new concept of asphalt pavement with ecological attributes will be questioned. The two main components needed in an asphalt mix (bitumen and aggregates) are focused on. In relation to bitumen, two methods of fresh binder fractionation are explored: one investigates biofluid bitumen, which allows replacing part of the petrochemical binder with bio-based products; and the second, to produce granules with plastic waste (mainly plastic bottles and bags) and replace 20% of the oil-based sticky bitumen that seals traditional roads. The modified asphalt materials are the product of the dissolution or incorporation in the asphalt of a polymer that are stable substances over time and changes in temperature, which are added to the asphalt material to modify its physical and ecological properties, and decrease its susceptibility at temperature and humidity, as well as oxidation.