International

Better Roads, Better World

Road Federation

Using Crumb Rubber Modifier

to Meet Demand in High
Performance Asphalt

Cecilia Mancero, Szabolcs Biro

& Carl Thodesen
ECOPATH Industries

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Introduction
• Continuously analyzing market and needs.
• Developing new products and formulas to
satisfy all needs (climate, country) in the most
efficient ways (reduced cost).
• Asphalt rubber is a successful paving material
because of its performance (not because it is
“green”!)

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 International
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Road Federation

CRM binders
• Crumb rubber modified binders are NOT all
the same.
• They can satisfy different
standards/requirements by changing the
production parameters and raw materials
(asphalt, rubber, additives).

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

CRM Binder vs. CRM Binder

8
AZ
7
Elasticity indicator (tan

CA
6 FL
SC
5 TX
4

0
0 20 40 60 80 100

Temperature, oC
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 International
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Road Federation

CRM Binder vs. CRM Binder

Rutting potential indicator (G*/sinPa)
1e+7
AZ
CA
1e+6 FL
SC
TX
1e+5

1e+4

1e+3

1e+2
0 20 40 60 80 100

Temperature, oC
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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

CRM Binder vs. CRM Binder

Rutting potential indicator (G*/sinPa)

1e+6

1e+5

1e+4

1e+3 AZ
CA
FL
1e+2 SC
TX
Neat binder
1e+1
0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000
Vehicle speed indicator (Frequency, rad/s)
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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

CRM binder
• Not just the rubber concentration, gradation,
but chemical composition has an effect.
• Importance of asphalt chemical composition.
• CRM binder formulation is needed to
obtain the best result & reduce cost.
• Thin layers can be constructed because of
improved binding properties.

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Thinner Overlays

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

CRM vs. other modifiers

• Comparison study (focusing on elasticity) between
AMAP suggested asphalt modifiers, which can be
potential substituent for SBS.
• Shear stress resistance has major importance, because
85% of the stresses in a road is shear type stress.

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Elasticity
CRM-AZ
Elvaloy
EVA
SBS+CRM
20
SBS+PPA
SBS
15
Strain, %

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Time, s
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 International
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Road Federation

80 Elasticity
AR (AZ)
Elvaloy
EVA
60
Hybrid
SBS_PPA
Strain

o
40 70 C, 3200Pa

20

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Time, s
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 International
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Road Federation

CRM vs. other modifiers

• Crumb rubber modified binders can be both

technically and economically a good
substituent for SBS and other
elastomer/plastomer modified asphalts.

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

ECOPATH 2004-2009
Disposed of approximately 2.1 million Used Tires
(52.3 Million Tons of Crumb Rubber)

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Overhead View of Plant Site

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Modified Asphalt Blending Equipment

45 Ton per hour

blending unit

30,000 Gallon, two

compartment, agitated
reaction tank

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Modified Asphalt Blending Equipment

15-20 TPH Blending System

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Projects

Less than ideal roadway condition

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Arizona

10.6 miles (19.4 km)

58,250 Mix Tons
1,140 Tons Crumb Rubber

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Biosphere 2
Tucson, Arizona

4.3 Miles
9,200 Mix Tons
190 Tons Crumb Rubber

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Pulliam Airport
Flagstaff , Arizona

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

New Jersey / I-95 Before

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

I-95 Rehabilitation
• An ADOT 414 type AR-ACFC mix design was used
– Similar to (NJDOT MOGFC-3)
• This type of pavement has been used with success in
Arizona
• Particularly for:
– Noise reduction
– Increased safety
– Resistance to rutting

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

I-95 During Construction

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

After Construction

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Washington State

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Quiet Pavement Project in DOT en

Washington State

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Spain

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Siberia

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Siberia

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Conclusions
• Crumb rubber improves asphalt binder
properties.
• Not all crumb rubber modified asphalt
(CRMA) are the same.
• CRMA can substitute and compete with other
modifiers if right formulation is applied (raw
materials + production parameters).

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Conclusions
• CRMA have better elastic (shear)
characteristic than most of the common asphalt
modifiers.
• Out of the common crumb rubber modified
asphalts, Arizona style has the best
performance (except aging, where California
style AR is the best).

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 International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Conclusions
• ECOPATH has become a leader in the
industry and provides asphalt binder
formulation to reduce cost and optimize
performance.

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Thank You ~ Gracias

Grazie ~ Danke
Merci ~ Obrigado
‫ ~ ش كرا ل ك‬謝謝您
ありがとうございました

Contact Information:
Cecilia Mancero
cecilia.mancero@ecopathindustries.com
Phone: 480-991-0450
www.ecopathindustries.com

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

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International
Better Roads, Better World
Road Federation

Conclusions
• SAVES MONEY!
 Initial investment
 Life cycle costs
 Noise abatement alternatives
• FEWER TRAFFIC INTERRUPTIONS!
 Extends pavement life 15+ years
• SAVES LIVES!
 Greatly improves driving conditions
• IMPROVES QUALITY OF LIFE!
 Reduces traffic noise
 Eliminates waste tyres
• NO RISK!
 20+ yrs of proven technology in all types of climates

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