EEFECT OF SULPHUR MIXING ON STORAGE MODULUS OF

SBS MODIFIED BITUMEN

Dr Praveen Kumar*, Nikhil Saboo** & Radhika***
ABSTRACT
India has large highways and road networks. The ideal bitumen should be strong enough,
at high temperatures, to withstand rutting or permanent deformation, and soft enough to avoid
excessive thermal stresses, at low pavement temperatures, and fatigue, at moderate temperatures.
So it is important that properties of the bituminous binder should be improved by addition of the
polymers or some other additives to improve the road performance. At present, modified bitumen
has become popular due to its ability to reduce rutting at high temperatures and also reduce the
occurrence of thermal cracking which generally takes place at low temperatures. This study
mainly focuses on the improvement of the properties of modified bitumen by using various
combinations of modifiers.
In this study, rheological tests have been conducted on VG 10 grade bitumen and modified
bitumen having various combinations of neat bitumen, polyethylene, SBS, EVA, and sulphur. It
was found that sulphur increases the stability of modified bitumen storage and thus enhances the
properties. At higher frequencies, SBS and sulphur combination provide better results. Although
the study was conducted on Sulphur mixing with Polythene, SBS and EVA, but considering the
limitation of paper length only effect of Sulphur on SBS has been considered in this paper.

1. INTRODUCTION
Properties of bituminous mixes can be improved by the blend of additives, known as
modifiers and bitumen premixed with these modifiers known as modified bitumen(IRC SP:53
2002). Additives are used to enhance the properties and performance of the flexible pavements.
The factors influencing the performance of the courses: properties of the components (binder,

* Professor, Transportation Engg. Group, Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of

Technology, Roorkee, India, email: pkaerfce@iitr.ernet.in
** Research Scholar, Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee
*** M. Tech. Student, Civil Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee

1
aggregate and additive) and the proportion of these components of these mixes. Bitumen can be
modified by the different types of materials. Over the years, different types of materials have been
investigated as additives for bitumen modifications. Some of them are having desired potential in
road works.
2. TYPE OF BITUMEN MODIFIERS
2.1 Polymer

A polymer consists of repeating units derived from monomers which are linked together in
a chain like structure. The chemical processes through which links occur is known as
polymerization. If one type of monomer is used to for a polymer the process is called as
homopolymerisation and it results a homopolymer. If more than one chemical species is used as a
monomer, the process is called copolymerization.

Polymers can be divided in two categories one is Elastomer and another is Plastomer.
An elastomer is a polymer with viscoelasticity, generally having low Young's modulus and high
failure strain compared with other materials. Elastomers have a characteristically high elastic
response and therefore resist permanent deformation by stretching and recovering their initial
shapes. Elastomeric polymers commonly used as a modifier such as natural rubber(NR),
polychloroprene(CR), styrene butadiene styrene block copolymer(SBS), polyisoprene(IR).
Among elastomers SBS attracted maximum attention for bitumen modification. Polymers modify
bitumen by forming rigid, tough, three dimensional networks to resist deformation. Polyethylenes
(PE), Ethyl vinyl Acetate (EVA), Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Polystyrene (PS), Polypropylene
(PP) are some examples of plastomer. When these materials are mixed with bitumen they increase
the viscosity and stiffness of bitumen at normal temperature. EVA is widely used for bitumen
modification (Isacsson and Lu, 1995).

2
 Table 1 Type of Bitumen Modification (Isacsson and Lu, 1995)

Type Examples

Additive (excluding polymers) modification

1. Fillers
2. Anti-stripping additives Lime, carbon black, fly ash
3. Extenders Organic amines and amides
4. Anti-Oxidants Lignin and sulfur
Zinc antioxidants, lead antioxidants, phenolics
5. Organo-metal compounds amines
6. Others Organo-manganese compounds
Shale oil, inorganic fibers
Polymer Modification
1.Plastomers
a) Thermoplastics Polyethylene (PE)
Polypropylene (PP)
Poly vinyl chloride (PVC)
Polystyrene(PS)
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)

b) Thermosets Epoxy resins

2.Elastomers
a) Natural rubbers
b) Synthetic rubbers Styrene butadiene copolymer(SBR)
Styrene butadiene styrene copolymer (SBS)
Isobutene isoprene copolymer(IIR)

3.Reclaimed rubbers Polymer fibers, Polypropylene fibers

4.Fibers
Chemical reaction modifications Addition reaction(bitumen+monomer)
Vulcanization( bitumen+ sulfur)
Nitration reaction(bitumen+nitric acid)

3
2.1.1 Styrene –butadiene- styrene (SBS)

Fig. 1 Structure of SBS

Among various elastomer polymers, SBS is one of the most widely used in bitumen
modification. Poly styrene –butadiene- styrene (SBS) is a triblock copolymer with a butadiene
block in middle of the two SBS blocks (Isacsson and Lu, 1995).

The blocks form two phase morphology. The polystyrene block forms the hard glassy
phase which increases rutting resistance and the butadiene block forms the soft rubbery phase
which increases the thermal cracking resistance (Wen et al.,2002; Rong Ming 2002) Its molecular
formula is C22H20 and molecular weight 262.39 g/mol. It has a tensile strength of about 43 MPa
with an elongation (strain) of 95% and shear modulus of 1.26 to 1.78 (Burnham and Kulik, 1997)

Fig. 2 SBS

The main difference between styrene butadiene and styrene butadiene styrene is the
amount of styrene (second block). According to a review in Vision Technologica, it is probably
the most appropriate polymer for asphalt modification, even through the addition of the SBS type

4
block copolymers has economic limits and can show serious technical limitations. Although low
temperature flexibility is increased some authors claim that a decrease in resistance in strength
and resistance to penetration is observed at high temperatures. Nonetheless, SBS is one of the
most commonly used polymers to modify asphalts (Becker et al.2001).

As with all the polymers SBS is available in different forms .The polymer molecule may
be of different lengths (different number of individual monomer molecules per polymer and
chain) and we can have different arrangements of the molecules (microstructures). These
differences can drastically affect the degree of modification provided by a polymer. SBS based
PMBs are usually highly elastic, however, the extent depends upon the quantity of polymer in the
PMB, nature of the bitumen and type of SBS used.

2.1.2 Sulphur modified binder

The sulphur exhibits non-metallic properties. Pure sulphur has a pale yellow colour but in
naturally occurring forms may be yellow to straw yellow. Just above the melting point, sulphur is
a yellow liquid and with increasing temperature turns dark red and becomes black at 230°C. At
444.6°C (boiling point) vapours are generated which turns deep red at 500°C and straw yellow at
850°C . Sulphur melts at 116°C temperature.

Fig. 3 Sulphur

The viscosity of sulphur decrease with the increase in temperature. When mixed with
asphalt at a temperature in the range of 130°C to 140°C, liquid sulphur slowly reacts to form
polysulphide resins that dissolve unreacted sulphur and imparted sulphur and impart highly

5
desirable mechanical properties to the blend. But at higher temperature of mixing (>205° C)
dehydrogenization reaction occurs and making bitumen hard and brittle and releasing hydrogen
sulphide.

3. VISCO-ELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF BITUMEN

3.1 Stress and strain
In order to predict the engineering performance of the bituminous binder it is necessary to
understand the behaviour of stress and strain. In laboratory, uniaxial test and shear test are used to
characterize the stres–strain behaviour of materials. Materials, for which the stress-strain
behaviour is linear, are largely independent of time and temperature can be characterized by the
Young’s modulus. Bitumen exhibit both elastic and viscous behaviour, called as viscoelastic
material (Saal and Labout 1958).

3.2 Elasticity, Viscosity and Viscoelasticity

The relation between deformation and stress is linear at small deformations and at higher
deformation and long loading times of deviation from linearity takes place. The resistance to
deformation obeys “Hook’s law”. It can be described by these two quantities:
Modulus of elasticity or Young modulus (E): It is defined as the ratio of the tensile stress to the
strain.
E=σ/ϵ
Viscosity (η): It is defined as the ratio of shearing stress to the rate of change of shear
η=τ/(dγ/dt)
where
E=modulus of elasticity
σ=tensile stress
ϵ=strain
τ=shear stress
η=viscosity
dγ/dt=rate of shear
The following equation may be expressed in the terms of tensile stress and strain;

6
 η= (τ/γ)t

m=Poisson’s constant

for bitumen m=2

So equation can be written as

3η=(σ/ϵ)t

The ratio of (σ/ϵ) is called stiffness, a function of loading and temperature and it is used to
describe the resistance to deformation of viscoelastic materials.

3.3 Linear Viscoelastic Range

It refers to the region of behaviour in which relationship between stress and strain is
influenced only by temperature and loading time and not by the magnitude of the stress or strain.
Under linear viscoelastic (LVE) conditions, correlations between binder and mixture performance
can be produced; comparisons made between different testing geometries and configurations; and
mathematical models developed to describe the rheological behaviour of bituminous materials
(Airey et al., 2004) Knowledge of the LVE characteristics of bitumens and asphalt mixture is
therefore important to ensure satisfactory long-term performance when designing asphaltic paving
materials.

Using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMR), DSR conditions, the SHRP research team
found the shear stress and strain LVE limits for penetration grade bitumens to be functions of
complex modulus as defined by the following equations (Anderson, D.A. and Knnedy, T.W.,
1993):

γ= 12.0/(G*)0.29

τ= 0.12(G*)0.71
Where τ = the shear stress
γ=shear strain
G*= complex shear modulus

7
4. LABORATORY TESTING
4.1 Bitumen Properties

VG10 grade bitumen is used for present study. Physical properties of the bitumen are
given in table 2.

Table 2 Physical properties of the bitumen

S.No Test Test Method Test Result

1 Penetration (100 gm, 5 sec , 25 °C, IS:1203-1978 86

1/10th of mm

2 Softening Point IS:1205-1978 47

3 Ductility IS:1208-1979 >100

4.2 Modifiers Used

Four modifiers namely Sulphur, SBS, Polyethylene and EVA are used in this study. For
blending of VG 10 grade bitumen with the modifier mixer is used. The container of 1.0 litre
capacity @ 300 rpm is used for mixing the bitumen and modifiers. However due to limitation of
paper length, effect of sulphur on only SBS has beeb included.

For preparation of SBS bitumen blend, bitumen is heated to a temperature of 170°C and
then the approximate quantity of SBS copolymer was added. The contents are gradually stirred
for 45 minutes. EVA blends also prepared by the same. For preparation of sulphur bitumen blend
bitumen was heated to a temperature of 120 to 130°C and then sulphur is added and the whole
mass was stirred about 20 minutes till a homogeneous mass is obtained.

4.3 Modified Bitumen

4.3.1 Modification with 2 % modifier

8
 Table 3 Variation of storage modulus with temperature for modified binders at 10 rad/s

Temperature(°) 2% S 2% SBS ORG

40 2.88E+03 6.76E+03 3.97E+03
Beyond
50 Range 1.22E+03 9.86E+02
Beyond
60 Range 2.72E+02 1.32E+02
Beyond
70 Range 1.02E+02 Beyond Range

These results show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for all modified
binders at 10 rad/s. After 50°C this improvement becomes marginal.

Table 4 Variation of storage modulus with temperature for modified binders at 20 rad/s

Temperature(°) 2% S 2% SBS VG 10
40 3.00E+04 1.91E+04 7.25E+03
50 1.27E+03 1.22E+03 1.09E+03
60 1.92E+02 5.40E+02 2.23E+02
Beyond
70 Range Beyond Range 4.88E+01

These results show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for all modified
binders at 20 rad/s and the maximum G' values are for polyethylene modified bitumen. SBS and
EVA modified bitumen also give better results than 10 rad/s. After 50°C this improvement
becomes marginal.

Table 5 Variation of storage modulus with temperature for modified binders at 30 rad/s

Temperature(°) 2% S 2% SBS VG10

40 4.13E+04 8.29E+03 1.20E+04
50 1.96E+03 4.83E+03 1.66E+03
60 3.01E+02 9.60E+02 3.71E+02
70 4.57E+01 2.23E+02 1.24E+02

9
 These results show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for all modified
binders at 30 rad/s and this improvement is marginal after 50°C.Here SBS modified bitumen give
better results than EVA at 30 rad/s.

Table 6 Variation of storage modulus with temperatures for modified binders at 40 rad/s

Temperature(°) 2% S 2% SBS VG 10
40 5.40E+04 4.10E+04 1.65E+04
50 2.84E+03 6.48E+03 2.26E+03
Beyond
60 Range 1.18E+03 4.04E+02
70 1.20E+02 4.96E+02 1.50E+02

These results show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for all modified
binders at 40 rad/s and this improvement is marginal after 50°C.

Fig 4 Variation of storage modulus with temperatures for SBS modified binder

These results show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified
binders at various frequencies and this improvement is marginal after 50°C. Increase in frequency
leads better results.

10
 Fig. 5 Variation of storage modulus with temperatures for original binder

These results show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for VG 10 binders at
various frequencies and this improvement is marginal after 50°C. Increase in frequency leads
better results.

4.3.2 Comparison between Original Binder and SBS Modified Binder

Table 7 Variation of storage modulus with strain for org. binder VG10 at 10 rad/s

T40 T50 T60 T70

Storage Storage Storage Storage
Meas. Pts. Strain Modulus Modulus Modulus Modulus
[%] [Pa] [Pa] [Pa] [Pa]
1 0.00981 4.10E+03 1.75E+03 6.47E+02 0
2 0.0145 3.81E+03 6.76E+02 5.75E+02 1.26E+01
3 0.0215 3.95E+03 5.52E+02 6.40E+02 1.85E+01
4 0.0315 3.95E+03 5.92E+02 6.28E+02 7.34E+00
5 0.0464 4.03E+03 5.45E+02 6.11E+02 5.60E+00
6 0.0681 4.07E+03 5.83E+02 6.14E+02 5.48E+00
7 0.0997 4.14E+03 5.55E+02 6.13E+02 8.83E+00
8 0.147 4.16E+03 5.72E+02 6.05E+02 8.07E+00
9 0.215 4.16E+03 5.62E+02 6.01E+02 8.89E+00
10 0.316 4.12E+03 5.59E+02 6.00E+02 9.86E+00
11 0.463 4.02E+03 5.59E+02 6.08E+02 9.82E+00
12 0.679 3.83E+03 5.63E+02 6.10E+02 1.23E+01
13 1 3.61E+03 5.66E+02 6.07E+02 1.46E+01

11
 14 1.47 3.47E+03 5.65E+02 6.04E+02 1.57E+01
15 2.15 3.40E+03 5.63E+02 5.97E+02 1.55E+01
16 3.16 3.37E+03 5.63E+02 5.95E+02 1.58E+01
17 4.64 3.36E+03 5.61E+02 5.91E+02 1.54E+01
18 6.82 3.35E+03 5.58E+02 5.88E+02 1.53E+01
19 9.99 3.33E+03 5.55E+02 5.86E+02 1.53E+01
20 14.7 3.31E+03 5.51E+02 5.80E+02 1.52E+01
21 21.6 3.27E+03 5.43E+02 5.73E+02 1.52E+01
22 31.7 3.19E+03 5.30E+02 5.61E+02 1.50E+01
23 46.8 3.03E+03 5.08E+02 5.41E+02 1.48E+01
24 69.5 2.70E+03 4.75E+02 5.11E+02 1.44E+01
25 103 2.03E+03 4.26E+02 4.65E+02 1.37E+01

Table 8 Variation of storage modulus with strain for 3% SBS and 4% SBS at 10 rad/s

3% SBS 4% SBS
T40 T50 T60 T40 T50
Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage
Strain Modulus Modulus Modulus Modulus Modulus
[%] [Pa] [Pa] [Pa] [Pa] [Pa]
0.00982 1.05E+05 6.94E+04 1.96E+03 1.66E+05 1.19E+04
0.0147 1.05E+05 6.84E+04 3.45E+03 1.65E+05 1.20E+04
0.0216 1.04E+05 6.88E+04 3.54E+03 1.64E+05 1.11E+04
0.0314 1.04E+05 6.77E+04 3.44E+03 1.64E+05 1.17E+04
0.0465 1.04E+05 6.82E+04 3.52E+03 1.65E+05 1.14E+04
0.0681 1.04E+05 6.84E+04 3.45E+03 1.64E+05 1.15E+04
0.0999 1.04E+05 6.86E+04 3.46E+03 1.64E+05 1.14E+04
0.146 1.04E+05 6.86E+04 3.47E+03 1.64E+05 1.14E+04
0.216 1.05E+05 6.85E+04 3.46E+03 1.63E+05 1.15E+04
0.316 1.05E+05 6.89E+04 3.47E+03 1.63E+05 1.15E+04
0.464 1.05E+05 6.91E+04 3.47E+03 1.62E+05 1.16E+04
0.68 1.06E+05 6.96E+04 3.48E+03 1.61E+05 1.17E+04
1 1.06E+05 7.01E+04 3.49E+03 1.56E+05 1.18E+04
1.47 1.05E+05 7.04E+04 3.49E+03 4.66E+04 1.18E+04
2.15 1.05E+05 7.03E+04 3.47E+03 4.61E+04 1.18E+04
3.16 1.04E+05 7.00E+04 3.48E+03 4.50E+04 1.18E+04
4.65 1.03E+05 6.94E+04 3.48E+03 4.44E+04 1.18E+04
6.84 1.01E+05 6.83E+04 3.48E+03 4.37E+04 1.17E+04
10.1 9.81E+04 6.62E+04 3.46E+03 4.29E+04 1.16E+04
14.8 9.39E+04 6.30E+04 3.44E+03 4.15E+04 1.15E+04

12
 21.8 8.74E+04 5.84E+04 3.38E+03 3.96E+04 1.12E+04
32.1 7.88E+04 5.19E+04 3.29E+03 3.70E+04 1.08E+04
35.8 6.73E+04 4.89E+04 3.15E+03 3.37E+04 1.03E+04
37 5.57E+04 4.66E+04 2.93E+03 3.16E+04 9.48E+03
37.4 4.94E+04 4.58E+04 2.61E+03 3.03E+04 8.26E+03

Table 9 Variation of storage modulus with strain for 5% SBS at 10 rad/s

5% SBS
T40 T50 T60
Meas. Pts. Strain Storage Modulus Storage Modulus Storage Modulus
[%] [Pa] [Pa] [Pa]
1 0.00983 1.95E+04 3.16E+03 1.47E+03
2 0.0147 2.19E+04 3.21E+03 1.47E+03
3 0.0217 2.06E+04 3.19E+03 1.39E+03
4 0.0316 2.11E+04 3.15E+03 1.37E+03
5 0.0464 2.04E+04 3.13E+03 1.39E+03
6 0.0683 2.09E+04 3.14E+03 1.39E+03
7 0.1 2.05E+04 3.13E+03 1.40E+03
8 0.147 2.07E+04 3.14E+03 1.39E+03
9 0.215 2.06E+04 3.14E+03 1.37E+03
10 0.317 2.07E+04 3.14E+03 1.36E+03
11 0.463 2.07E+04 3.15E+03 1.35E+03
12 0.68 2.09E+04 3.16E+03 1.32E+03
13 0.998 2.11E+04 3.17E+03 1.29E+03
14 1.47 2.12E+04 3.17E+03 1.28E+03
15 2.16 2.11E+04 3.15E+03 1.28E+03
16 3.17 2.11E+04 3.15E+03 1.27E+03
17 4.64 2.10E+04 3.15E+03 1.27E+03
18 6.82 2.08E+04 3.14E+03 1.27E+03
19 10 2.05E+04 3.12E+03 1.26E+03
20 14.7 2.00E+04 3.09E+03 1.25E+03
21 21.7 1.93E+04 3.04E+03 1.23E+03
22 31.9 1.83E+04 2.95E+03 1.19E+03
23 47 1.69E+04 2.81E+03 1.13E+03
24 69.9 1.51E+04 2.59E+03 1.00E+03
25 77.3 1.39E+04 2.22E+03 7.47E+02

13
 Fig. 6 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 40°C and 10 rad/s

These graphs show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified
binders with strain at 10 rad/s and 3% SBS results higher values than others. This may be due to
improper mixing of higher percentage of SBS.

Fig. 7 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 50°C and 10 rad/s

These graphs show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified
binders with strain at 10 rad/s and 3% SBS results higher values than others. This may be due to
improper mixing of SBS. At temperature 50°C storage modulus is lesser than 40°C values.

14
 Fig.8 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 60°C and 10 rad/s

These graphs show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified
binders with strain at 20 rad/s and here also 3% SBS results higher values than others. Strain (%)
is also upto 100% due to high temperature.

Fig. 9 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 40°C and 20 rad/s

These graphs show that there is improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified
binders with strain at 20 rad/s and her also 3% SBS results higher values than others. Strain (%) is
also upto 50% only due to presence of SBS and moderate temperature.

15
 Fig. 10 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 50°C and 20 rad/s

These graphs show the improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified binders
with strain at 10 rad/s and 3% SBS results higher values than others. At 3% SBS maximum strain
value is 70%.

Fig. 11 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 60°C and 20 rad/s

Here 3% SBS results higher values than others. At 3% SBS maximum strain value is
100% due to high temperature. Also difference is very large between 3% and 5% modification
values.

16
 Fig. 12 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 40°C and 30 rad/s

These graphs show the improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified binders
with strain at 30 rad/s and it is higher than 10 rad/s. There is increase in strain for high SBS
contents.

Fig. 13 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 50°C and 30 rad/s

These graphs show the improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified binders
with strain at 50°C and 30 rad/s.. At 3% SBS maximum strain value is 70%.

17
 Fig. 14 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 60°C and 30 rad/s

These graphs show the improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified binders
with strain at 60°C and 30 rad/s. 5% SBS results higher values than others. Rapid decrement upto
70% strain values and then become nearly constant.

Fig. 15 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 40°C and 40 rad/s

Maximum values are found at lower temperatures and high frequency.

18
 Fig. 16 Variation of storage modulus with strain at temperature 50°C and 40 rad/s

These graphs show the improvement in the storage modulus for SBS modified binders
with strain at 50°C and 40 rad/s. 3% SBS results good storage modulus values. At 3% SBS
maximum strain value is 70%.

5. MODIFICATION WITH MULTIPLE MODIFIERS

5.1 Modification with SBS and Sulphur combination

Table 10 Variation of storage modulus with frequency for 2%SBS with 1% S

2% SBS with 1% S
FREQUENCY T40 T45 T50 T55 T60 T65 T70
10 1.55E+04 1.02E+03 1.45E+03 9.79E+02 4.12E+02 1.79E+02 1.29E+02
20 3.10E+04 1.22E+04 4.40E+03 2.02E+03 8.57E+02 4.34E+02 3.23E+02
30 3.86E+04 1.76E+04 7.99E+03 3.01E+03 1.35E+03 6.90E+02 4.71E+02
40 4.42E+04 2.42E+04 1.07E+04 4.65E+03 1.56E+03 9.57E+02 5.59E+02

19
 Fig. 17 Variation of storage modulus with frequency for 2%SBS 1% S

There is a increment in storage modulus with the increase in frequency and decrease in
temperature. Most of the modification takes place in temperature range of 40 to 50°C.

Fig 18 Variation of storage modulus with temperature for 2%SBS 1% S

This figure gives the general view that the increase in the frequency leads the
improvement in the bitumen.

Table 11 Variation of storage modulus with frequency for 2%SBS 2% S

2% SBS 2% S
FREQUENCY T40 T45 T50 T55 T60 T65 T70
10 2.94E+04 1.16E+04 4.25E+03 1.04E+03 4.28E+02 2.30E+03 1.42E+02

20
 20 4.87E+04 2.08E+04 9.45E+03 2.21E+03 1.20E+03 4.31E+03 4.38E+02
30 5.75E+04 2.96E+04 1.42E+04 3.15E+03 1.49E+03 6.43E+03 6.75E+02
40 8.27E+04 3.42E+04 1.82E+04 4.65E+03 1.92E+03 8.67E+03 9.59E+02

Fig 19 Variation of storage modulus with frequency for 2%SBS 2% S

There is a increase in storage modulus with the increase in frequency and decrease in
temperature. Most of the modification takes place in temperature range of 40 to 50°C and it is
more than2%SBS 1%S graph

Table 12 Variation of storage modulus with frequency for 2%SBS 3% S

2% SBS 3% S
FREQUENCY T40 T45 T50 T55 T60 T65 T70
10 7.02E+04 3.51E+04 2.10E+04 1.31E+04 8.21E+03 7.06E+03 5.71E+03
20 1.12E+05 5.58E+04 3.09E+04 1.85E+04 1.27E+04 9.23E+03 7.07E+03
30 1.47E+05 7.79E+04 4.09E+04 2.39E+04 1.60E+04 1.08E+04 8.51E+03
40 1.83E+05 9.33E+04 4.74E+04 2.60E+04 1.77E+04 1.24E+04 9.55E+03

21
 Fig. 20 Variation of storage modulus with frequency for 2%SBS 3% S

This shows highest improvement among all three graphs (1% S, 2%S and 3%S).This
means that sulphur improves the binder properties in addition with SBS.

5.2 Effect of Modifier Contents on Viscosity

Viscosity increases as the percentage of modifier increases. But it is not directly

proportional to the modifier content. Viscosity falls very rapidly as the temperature rises. The
variation in the dynamic viscosity at low temperatures is more pronounced than at higher
temperatures.

6. CONCLUSION S
These following conclusions are drawn based on the results obtained in this study.
1. Polymer modification increases the storage modulus and elastic response of bitumen. The
extent of polymer modification has differed depending on the nature of the base bitumen
and subsequently the compatibility of the bitumen–polymer system.
2. The optimum content of S is 3% for SBS and S combinations. After this there is not very
much improvement in properties of modified bitumen.
3. At higher SBS content bitumen is not storage stable and it appears as a different layer at
the top of the sample. Addition of sulphur improves the storage stability of SBS modified
bitumen and thus use of slightly higher percentages can be done.

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 4. Use of SBS with sulphur combinations should be tried. These combinations will improve
the rheological as well as physical properties of the bitumen and increase the life of the
pavement.
5. Use of sulphur will lead to the reduction of the waste material coming out from the
industries and thus improve the ecological balance of our environment
6. SBS and S combinations can be used for lower as well as higher temperatures.

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4. IRC: SP: 53 (2002),“Guidelines on Use of Polymer and Rubber Modified Bitumen In Road
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7. Saal, R.N.J. and Labout, J.W.A.(1958), “Rheological Properties of Asphalts”, Rheology-

Theory and Applications, Vol.2, Academic Press Inc. Publishers , New York.

8. Singh, Maninder (2013), “Strength Charecteristics of Modified Bitumen with Various

Aggregates”, Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, I.I.T. Roorkee.

9. Wen, G., Yong, Z., Yinxi, Z., Kang, S. and Yongzhong, F.(2002),“Rheological
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