Modified Bitumen in India - Must Know

1. Specifications Following publications govern the property of Modified Bitumen in India; a. IRC SP: 53(2002) or Indian Roads Congress Special Publication 53; Guidelines on Use of Polymer and Rubber Modified Bitumen in Road Construction b. IS 15462 : 2004; Indian Standard on Polymer and Rubber Modified Bitumen- Specifications c. Ministry of Shipping Road Transport and Highways- Clause 521 2. Type of Modified Bitumen These are divided as follows: a. Rubber Modified i. Natural Rubber Modified Bitumen (NRMB) ii. Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB) b. Polymer Modified i. Modified with Elastomeric Polymers PMB (E) ii. Modified with Plastomeric Polymers PMB (P) 3. Relative Performance CRMB, NRMB, PMB(P) and PMB(E) having the same softening point are not equivalent in performance and the cost. They may differ in following attributes: a. Elastic Recovery, Fatigue resistance, life of pavement b. Creep and rut resistance c. Susceptibility to low temperatures and high rainfall d. Suitability for extreme temperatures e. Suitability for subzero temperature f. Suitability for very heavy/intense traffic 4. Suffix. It denotes the following: a. NRMB and PMB - Penetration value b. CRMB Softening Point c. Suffix in PMB(E) 40, PMB(P) 40, NRMB 40 denotes their penetration value whereas in CRMB 60, it denotes the softening point.

5. High Shear Device An essential part of a processing plant for modified bitumen. As per the note in Clause 3 of IS 15462 2004: Homogeneity is very important for the desired performance of polymer and rubber modified bitumen. Hence these should be prepared at refinery or by appropriate industrial process and plant having high shear device. The use of high shear mixer is essential. 6. Refinery Modification of Bitumen does NOT require a refinery. Modified bitumen produced by a vender in a refinery, if not processed using a high shear device, violates the provisions of IS 15462 2004 and therefore cannot be permitted for use as binder. 7. Central Plant Processing of modified bitumen requires a central plant and an established process using high shear device, curing of the material and functional laboratory to test the material for penetration, elastic recovery and softening point, before dispatch to the client. 8. Transportation Modified Bitumen can be transported in bulk tankers or in drums. The bulk tankers must have the following: a. Good functional insulation so that the drop in temperature is not more than 10deg C in 24hours. b. Unloading pump c. Heating arrangement d. Circulation mechanism 9. Storage at HMP Modified Bitumen must be stored separately in a clean storage having the following: a. Good functional insulation b. Indirect heating arrangement c. Circulation Mechanism d. Agitation mechanism 10.Temperatures Temperature regime of modified bitumen and its mixes is 15 to 20deg C higher as compared to straight grade bitumen. These have been specified in section 521 of the MOSRT&H specifications.