Standards Development

Scope

This document provides a framework for specifying a range of characteristics as well as applicable test methods for polymer modified bitumens, which are suitable for use in the construction and maintenance of roads, airfields and other paved areas, together with information on assessment and verification of constancy of performance. Polymer modified bitumen is defined in EN 12597.

This document describes the performance for characteristics of polymer modified bitumens, as shown in Table 1 and Table 2. It gives information for Declaration of Performance, selection of the grades, characteristics and test methods.

This framework covers the following essential characteristics:

— consistency at intermediate service temperature;

— consistency at elevated service temperature;

— viscoelastic behaviour;

— cohesion;

— resistance to flow and deformation;

— temperature sensitivity;

— strain recovery;

— durability of strain recovery;

— durability of consistency at low service temperature;

— durability of viscoelastic behaviour.

The characteristics of “adhesion” and “setting ability” are addressed by tests used on either the finished asphalt mixtures or on aggregate-bitumen combinations, i.e. EN 12697‑1, EN 12697‑11, EN 12697‑12, EN 12697‑26 [2 to 5], rather than tests on the bitumen itself.“

Adhesion” is addressed by tests carried out on the finished asphalt mixtures.

“Setting ability” is the return of the polymer modified binder to its normal semi-solid state as it returns to ambient temperature; this is a natural result of the cooling of the hot polymer modified bitumen after application and thus not addressed here.

The nomenclature of polymer modified bitumen comprises the nominal penetration range and the minimum softening point, e.g. PMB 45/80-60.