IMPROVED ASPHALT MATERIAL

Abstract

An asphalt product comprising: Z1) 90%a 98%w of mineral aggregate; Z2) 2%a 10%w of a bitumen composition comprising: T1) 99%a 75%w of bitumen, and T2) 1%a 25%w of a polymeric composition comprising the following components, A) 5-35% by weight of a propylene homopolymer; B) 20-50% by weight of an ethylene homopolymer; and C) 30-60% by weight of a terpolymer of units derived from ethylene, propylene and 1-butene.

Description

IMPROVED ASPHALT MATERIAL FIELD OF INVENTION This description refers to an asphalt composition with improved characteristics. The asphalt composition comprises mineral aggregate and a mixture comprising bitumen and polymer compositions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen with mineral aggregate and optionally various additives. The most important part of asphalt is, therefore, bitumen. Polymeric compositions that can be used to modify bitumen are already known in the art. The published European patent application EP-A-411627 describes polymer compositions developed for use in roofing applications. The polymer compositions comprise two fractions, one of which is made of a propylene homopolymer and the other of a propylene-ethylene copolymer. According to the patent application, the polymer compositions with the best properties for use in bituminous roofing mixtures must have an intrinsic viscosity (IV) ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 dl / g for both of the polymer fractions mentioned above. LQZ ίΠ / ZZΖηZ / E / YΙΛΙ Ref. 338444 The published European patent application EP-A-592852 describes bitumen mixtures and polymer compositions containing: A) 10-40 parts by weight of a propylene homopolymer or a propylene copolymer with up to 10% by weight of comonomer(s); B) 0-20 parts by weight of a copolymer fraction containing more than 55%w of ethylene units, which is insoluble in xylene at room temperature; C) 50-80 parts by weight of a copolymer fraction of ethylene with propylene or higher α-olefins, the copolymer fraction being soluble in xylene at room temperature, and having an intrinsic viscosity in tetrahydronaphthalene at 135°C greater than 1.5 and up to 2.2 dl / g. The compositions achieve a set of improved properties, particularly low-temperature flexibility, resistance to penetration and softening, and ductility. The applicant found that the properties of asphalt can be improved by using a particular bitumen composition. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The subject of this description is an asphalt product comprising: Zl) of 90%pa 98%p of mineral aggregate; Z2) of 2%pa 10%p of a bitumen composition that LQZ ίΠ / ΖΖηΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ includes: TI) of 9 9%pa 75%p of biturenne, and T2) of l%pa 25%p polymeric composition comprising the following components, A) 5-35% by weight of a propylene homopolymer containing 10% by weight or less of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSA), the amount of the XSA fraction referring to the weight of A); B) 20-50% by weight of an ethylene homopolymer having 5% by weight or less of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSB) relative to the weight of (B); and C) 30-60% by weight of a terpolymer, wherein the terpolymer contains units derived from ethylene, propylene and 1-butene containing from 45% to 65% by weight of ethylene units; and from 15% to 38% by weight of 1-butene units; and containing from 30% to 85% by weight of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSC), the amount of ethylene units; 1-butene units and the XSCal fraction referring to the weight of (C); referring to the quantities of (A), (B) and (C) to the total weight of (A) + (B) + (C), the sum of the quantity of (A) + (B) + (C) being 100%p; being the amounts, in %p, of Ti +T2 100%p. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The subject of this description is a product of LQZ ίη / ΖΖΠΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ asphalt comprising: Zl) of 90%a 98%p; preferably of 93%a 97%p; more preferably of 96%a 94%p of mineral aggregate; Z2) of 2%a 10%p; preferably of 3%a 7%p; more preferably of 4%a 6%p of a bitumen composition comprising: TI) of 99%pa 75%p preferably of 98%pa 80%p; more preferably of 97%pa 90%p even more preferably of 97%pa 92%p of bitumen; and T2) of 1%pa 25%p; preferably of 2%pa 20%p; more preferably of 3%pa 10%p even more preferably of 3%pa 8%p of polymeric composition comprising the following components; A) 5-35% by weight; preferably 10-30% by weight; more preferably 15-23% by weight of a propylene homopolymer containing 10% by weight or less, preferably 8% or less, more preferably 6% or less of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSA), the amount of the XSA fraction referring to the weight of A); B) 20-50% by weight; preferably 25-45% by weight; more preferably 30-40% by weight of an ethylene homopolymer having 5% by weight or less; preferably 4% or less; more preferably 3% or less of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSB), the amount of fraction XSB referring to the weight of (B); and LQZ ίΠ / ZZΖηZ / E / YΙΛΙ C) 30-60% by weight; preferably 35-55% by weight; more preferably 40-50% by weight of an ethylene, propylene and 1-butene terpolymer containing 45% to 65% by weight, preferably 48% to 62% by weight; more preferably 50% to 60% by weight of ethylene units; and 15% to 38%; preferably 18% to 33% by weight, more preferably 20% to 30% by weight of 1-butene units; and containing 30% to 85%; preferably 35% to 50% by weight of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSC), the amount of ethylene units and of the XSc fraction referring to the weight of (C); referring to the quantities of (A), (B) and (C) to the total weight of (A) + (B) + (C), the sum of the quantity of (A) + (B) + (C) being 100. The mineral aggregate component (Zl) is typically composed of sand, gravel, limestone, crushed stone, slag, and mixtures thereof. Mineral aggregate particles include calcium-based aggregates, such as limestone, silica-based aggregates, and mixtures thereof. The component Z2) comprises bitumen TI) and a polymer composition T2). Useful bitumens (Ti) include solid, semi-solid, or viscous distillation residues from the petroleum refining process that consist predominantly of hydrocarbons LQZ ίΠ / ZZΖηZ / E / YΙΛΙ high molecular weight, whose structure may be partially altered, for example by oxidation. The polymer composition T2) comprises components A), B) and C). Component (A) preferably has a molten flow rate (230°C / 2.16 kg) in the range of 50 to 200 g / 10 min; more preferably between 80 and 170 g / 10 min. Ethylene homopolymer (B) may contain up to 5 wt%, preferably up to 3 wt%, of comonomer units. When present, the comonomer units are derived from one or more comonomers selected from C3 to C8 alpha-olefins. Specific examples of alpha-olefin comonomers are propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-4-methylpentene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene, preferably propylene or 1-butene. Preferably, ethylene homopolymer (B) does not contain additional comonomer units. The ethylene homopolymer (B) preferably has a melt flow rate (230°C / 2.16 kg) between 0.1 and 50 g / 10 min. preferably between 0.1 and 30 g / 10 min; more preferably between 0.1 and 10 g / 10 min. Preferably the ethylene homopolymer (B) can have a density (determined according to ISO 1183 at 23°C) of between 0.940 and 0.965 g / cm3. LQZ ίη / ZZΠZ / E / YΙΛΙ The mixed components (A) + (B) preferably have a molten flow rate (230°C / 2.16 kg) between 0.1 and 70 g / 10 min. preferably between 1 and 50 g / 10 min; more preferably between 8 and 40 g / 10 min. Preferably the polyolefin composition (A) + (B) + (C) has a melt flow rate (230°C / 2.16 kg) between 0.5 and 25 g / 10 min, preferably between 0.8 and 20.0 g / 10 min; even more preferably between 1.0 and 18.0 g / 10 min. Preferably the xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C of the polyolefin composition (A+B+C) has an intrinsic viscosity [η] (measured in tetrahydronaphthalene at 135°C) between 2.4 and 3.5 dl / g, preferably the intrinsic viscosity is between 2.5 and 3.3 dl / g. For the purposes of this description, the term copolymer means a polymer containing two types of comonomers, such as propylene and ethylene or ethylene and 1-butene, and the term terpolymer means a polymer containing three types of comonomers, such as propylene, ethylene, and 1-butene. The polyolefin composition has been found to be able to be prepared by a sequential polymerization comprising at least three sequential steps, where the LQZ Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI components (A), (B), and (Ci) are prepared in separate subsequent steps, operating in each step, except the first step, in the presence of the polymer formed and the catalyst used in the preceding step. The catalyst is added only in the first step; however, its activity is such that it remains active for all subsequent steps. Polymerization, which can be continuous or batch, is carried out using established techniques and operating in the liquid phase, with or without an inert diluent, or in the gas phase, or by mixed liquid-gas techniques. Gas-phase polymerization is preferable. The reaction time, pressure, and temperature in relation to the polymerization steps are not critical. However, it is best if the temperature is between 50 and 100°C. The pressure can be atmospheric or higher. Molecular weight regulation is achieved using known regulators, hydrogen in particular. These polymerizations are preferably carried out in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. Typically, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprises the reaction product of an organometallic compound from group 1, 2, or 13 of the periodic table with a transition metal compound from groups 4 to 10 of the periodic table (new notation). In particular, the transition metal compound can be selected from compounds of Ti, V, Zr, Cr, and Hf and is supported LQ7 Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI preferably on MgClz. The particularly preferred catalysts comprise the reaction product of the organometallic compound of group 1, 2 or 13 of the Periodic Table of Elements, with a solid catalyst component comprising the compound Ti and an electron donor compound supported on MgClz. The preferred organometallic compounds are alkyl aluminum compounds. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the polymer composition of the present invention can be obtained by using a Ziegler-Natta polymerization catalyst, more preferably a Ziegler-Natta catalyst supported on MgCl2, even more preferably a Ziegler-Natta catalyst comprising the reaction product of: 1) a solid catalyst component comprising a Ti compound and an electron donor (internal electron donor) supported on MgClz; 2) an alkyl aluminum compound (cocatalyst); and optionally, 3) an electron-donating compound (external electron donor). The solid catalyst component (1) contains as an electron donor a compound generally selected from ethers, ketones, lactones, compounds containing LQZ ίη / ZZΖΠZΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ atoms of N, P and / or S and mono- and dicarboxylic acid esters. Catalysts having the aforementioned characteristics are well known in patent literature; the catalysts described in U.S. patent 4,399,054 and European patent 45977 are particularly advantageous. LQZ Ln / Zznz / E / YIAI Particularly suitable among electron-donating compounds are italic acid esters, preferably diisobutyl phthalate succinic acid esters. Suitable acid esters are represented by formula (I): r3 R4^' / R2o (I) R5' EITHER Ri where the radicals Ri or and R2, whether the same or different, are an alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl group C1-C20 linear or branched, optionally containing heteroatoms; the R3 to Re radicals, whether the same or different from each other, are hydrogen or an alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl group. C1-C20 linear or branched, optionally containing heteroatoms, and the Raa Re radicals attached to the same carbon atom may join together to form a ring. Ri and R2 are preferably alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, and Ci-Cg alkylaryl groups. Compounds in which Ri and R2 are selected from primary alkyls, and particularly from branched primary alkyls, are particularly preferred. Suitable examples of Ri and R2 groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, neopentyl, and 2-ethylhexyl. Ethyl, isobutyl, and neopentyl are particularly preferred. One of the preferred groups of compounds described by formula (I) is that in which R3 to R5 are hydrogens and Rg is a branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl radical having between 3 and 10 carbon atoms. Another preferred group of compounds of formula (I) is that in which at least two radicals from R3 to Re are different from hydrogen and are selected from the linear or branched C1-C20 alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl group, optionally containing heteroatoms. Compounds in which the two different hydrogen radicals are bonded to the same carbon atom are particularly preferred. In addition, compounds in which at least two different hydrogen radicals are bonded to different carbon atoms, i.e., R3 and R5 or R4 and Rg, are also particularly preferred. Other particularly suitable electron donors are LQZ ίη / ZZΠZ / E / YΙΛΙ 1,3-diethers, as illustrated in published European patent applications EP-A-361 493 and 728769. As cocatalysts (2), one preferably uses trialkyl aluminum compounds, such as Al-triethyl, Al-triisobutyl and Al-tri-n-butyl. Electron-donating compounds (3) that can be used as external electron donors (added to the Al-alkyl compound) comprise aromatic acid esters (such as alkyl benzoates), heterocyclic compounds (such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine and 2,6-diisopropylpiperidine) and in particular, silicone compounds containing at least one Si-OR bond (where R is a hydrocarbon radical). Examples of silicone compounds are those of formula R1aR2bSi(OR3)c, where a and b are integers from 0 to 2, c is an integer from 1 to 3 and the sum (a+b+c) is 4; R1, R2 and R3 are alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl radicals with 1 to 18 carbon atoms that optionally contain heteroatoms. Useful examples of silicone compounds are (tert-butyl)2S1(OCH3)2r(cyclohexyl)(methyl)Si(00183)2, (phenyl)2Si(OCH3)2 and (cyclopentyl)2Si(OCH3)2. The previously mentioned 1,3-dieters are also suitable for use as external donors. If the internal donor is 1,3-dieters, the external donor will be LQZ ίΠ / ΖΖηΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ may be omitted. The catalysts can be pre-contacted with small amounts of olefin (pre-polymerization), keeping the catalyst suspended in a hydrocarbon solvent and polymerizing at temperatures from room temperature to 60°C, thus producing an amount of polymer between 0.5 and 3 times the weight of the catalyst. The operation can also occur in liquid monomer, producing, in this case, an amount of polymer up to 1000 times the weight of the catalyst. Furthermore, component Z2) may contain at least one other type of polymer, identified hereafter as component (T3), in addition to the polymer composition (T2). For example, T2 may comprise, as component (T3), one or more olefinic or non-olefinic polymers. In particular, the additional polymers (T3) may be selected from the group consisting of amorphous or atactic polymers (in particular amorphous polyolefins such as amorphous polypropylene), styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymers (SBS), polyvinyl acetate, low- or high-density polyethylene, and other polyolefins, in particular isotactic polypropylene and random ethylene-propylene copolymers. In general, the additional polymers (T3) are added, for example, in quantities greater than or equal to 0.5%, preferably from 0.5 to 30%, more preferably from 0.5 to 23%. LQZ ίΠ / ZZΖηZ / E / YΙΛΙ by weight with respect to the weight of T2. Even when additional polymers are present, the total amount of component T2 and T3, in other words, the amount of T2+T3, in the bituminous mixture is less than or equal to 40%, preferably 25% by weight with respect to the total weight of the mixture. The asphalt product described herein can be obtained according to known methods. The polymer composition (T2) and all other components described are incorporated into the bitumen (Ti) according to known methods. Preferably the mixing process is carried out at a temperature of 120 to 250°C; more preferably from 130°C to 180°C. The asphalt according to the present description shows improved characteristics in terms of density, void spaces, stability and flow. The following examples are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present description. Examples Characterizations Xylene-soluble fraction (XS) at 25°C Solubility in xylene: Determined as follows: 2.5 g of polymer and 250 ml of xylene are introduced into a A glass flask equipped with a condenser and a magnetic stirrer is used. The temperature is raised to the boiling point of the solvent in 30 minutes. The resulting clear solution is then held under reflux and stirred for 30 minutes. The sealed flask is then placed in an ice-water bath for 30 minutes and then in a thermostatically controlled water bath at 25°C for 30 minutes. The resulting solid is filtered through rapid filtration paper. 100 ml of the filtered liquid is poured into a pre-weighed aluminum container, which is heated on a hot plate under a flow of nitrogen to remove the solvent by evaporation. The container is then held in an oven at 80°C under vacuum until a constant weight is obtained. The weight percent of the xylene-soluble polymer is then calculated at room temperature. The content of the xylene-soluble fraction is expressed as a percentage of the original 2.5 grams and subsequently, by the difference (complementary to 100%), the percentage (%) insoluble in xylene; XS of components B) and C) have been calculated using the formula: XStot=WaXSA+WbXSD+WcXScen where Wa, Wb and Wc are the relative amount of components A, B and C, respectively, and (A+B+C=l). Melt flow rate (MFR) LQZ ίΠ / ZZΖηZ / E / YΙΛΙ Measured in accordance with ISO 1133 at 230°C with a load of 2.16 kg, unless otherwise specified. Intrinsic viscosity (IV) The sample is dissolved in tetrahydronaphthalene at 135°C and then poured into a capillary viscometer. The viscometer tube (Ubbelohde type) is surrounded by a cylindrical glass jacket; this configuration allows for temperature control with a circulating thermostatic fluid. The downward passage of the meniscus is timed by a photoelectric device. The passage of the meniscus in front of the upper lamp starts the counter, which has a quartz crystal oscillator. The meniscus stops the counter as it passes the lower lamp, and the flow time is recorded. This is converted into an intrinsic viscosity value using Huggins' equation (Huggins, ML, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1942, 64, 2716), provided the flow time of the pure solvent is known under the same experimental conditions (same viscometer and temperature). A single polymer solution is used to determine [η]. Comonomer content (C2 and C4) Comonomer content was determined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, by collecting the IR spectrum of the sample against an air background using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The instrument's data acquisition parameters were: purge time: 30 seconds minimum; collection time: 3 minutes minimum; apodization: Happ-Genzel; resolution: 2 cm⁻¹. Sample preparation – Using a hydraulic press, a thick sheet was obtained by compression molding approximately 1 g of sample between two aluminum sheets. A small portion of the resulting sheet was cut away to form a film. The film thickness was set to achieve a maximum absorbance of 1.3 au for the CH2 absorption band at ~720 cm-1 (%d transmittance > 5%). Molding conditions were carried out at a temperature of approximately 180 ± 10 °C (356 °F) and a pressure of approximately 10 kg / cm2 (142.2 psi) for approximately one minute. The pressure was then released, the sample was removed from the press, and cooled to room temperature. The spectrum of the pressed film was recorded as a function of absorbance versus wavenumber (cm-1). Subsequent measurements were used to calculate the ethylene (C2) and 1-butene (C4) content. Area (At) of the combined absorption bands between 4482 and 3950 cm-1 that is used for spectrometric normalization of film thickness. Area (AC2) of the absorption band due to <7 LQZ ίΠ / ZZηZ / E / YΙΛΙ methylene sequences (CH2 shake vibration) in the range of 660-790 cm-1 after appropriate digital subtraction from a reference spectrum of isotactic polypropylene (IPP) and a C2C4. The subtraction factor (FCRC4) between the polymer sample spectrum and the C2C4 reference spectrum: The reference spectrum is obtained by performing a digital subtraction of a linear polyethylene from a C2C4 copolymer to extract the C4 band (ethyl group at ~771 cm-1). The AC2 / At ratio is calibrated by analyzing standard ethylene-propylene copolymers of known compositions, as determined by NMR spectroscopy. The assignment of spectra, triad distribution and composition were performed according to Kakugo (Carbon-13 NMR determination of monomer sequence distribution in ethylene-propylene copolymers prepared with δ-titanium trichloride- diethylaluminum chloride, M. Kakugo, Y. Naito, K. Mizunuma and T. Miyatake, Macromolecules, 1982, 15, 1150). To calculate the ethylene (C2) and 1-butene (C4) content, calibration curves were obtained using samples of known quantities of ethylene and 1-butene that were detectable by 13C NMR. Calibration for ethylene - A calibration curve was obtained by graphically representing AC2 / At with respect to LQ7 ίη / ZZΖΠZ / E / YΙΛΙ molar percentage of ethylene (%C2m) and then the coefficients aC2, bC2 and cC2 were calculated by linear regression. Calibration for 1-butene - A calibration curve was obtained by graphically representing FCRC4 / At with respect to the molar percentage of butane (%C4m) and then the coefficients aC4, bC4 and CC4 were calculated by linear regression. The spectra of the unknown samples are recorded and then (At), (AC2) and (FCRC4) are calculated for the unknown sample. The ethylene content (mol % of C2m fraction) of the sample was calculated as follows: %C2m = -bC2+ ---------------— aC2 The 1-butene content (molar % of C4m fraction) of the sample was calculated as follows: 1.2 j / FCRc4 a pC4 -4«C4 (CC4-%C4m = -bC4+ ---------------------- aC4where aC4, bC4, cC4 aC2, bC2, cC2 are the coefficients of the two calibrations. Changes from mol% to %w are calculated using molecular weights of the compound(s). The amount (%w) of comonomer of the BC components is calculated using the following relationship: Comtot=WaComA+WbComB+WcComc <7 LQ7 ίΠ / ΖΖηΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ where Wa, Wb and Wc are the relative amount of components A, B and C, respectively, and (A+B+C=l). Comtot< Coma, ComBy ComC are the amounts of comonomer in the total composition (tot) and in the components AC. Example 1 - Preparation of the T2 component of the polyolefin composition Catalyst precursor: The solid catalyst component used in the polymerization was a Ziegler-Natta catalyst supported on magnesium chloride (MgCl₂) containing titanium and diisobutyl phthalate as an internal donor and prepared as follows. An initial quantity of MgCl₂'2,8C₂H₅OH microspheroid was prepared in accordance with Example 2 of U.S. Patent 4,399,054, but operating at 3000 rpm instead of 10,000 rpm. The resulting adduct was subjected to thermal dealcoholization at increasing temperatures from 30 to 130°C in a stream of nitrogen until the molar alcohol content per mole of Mg was approximately 1.16. 500 ml of Cl₄ at 0°C were introduced into a nitrogen-purged, four-necked round-bottom flask. While stirring, 30 grams of MgC12 · 1, 16C2H5OH microspheroid adduct (prepared as described above) were added. The temperature was raised to 120°C and maintained at this value for 60 minutes.During the temperature increase, a quantity of diisobutyl phthalate was added to produce a Mg / diisobutyl phthalate molar ratio of 18. After 60 minutes, stirring was stopped, the liquid was siphoned out, and the TIC14 treatment was repeated at 100°C for 1 hour in the presence of a quantity of diisobutyl phthalate to produce a Mg / diisobutyl phthalate molar ratio of 27. Stirring was then stopped, the liquid was siphoned out, and the TIC14 treatment was repeated at 100°C for 30 minutes. After sedimentation and extraction at 85°C, the solid was washed six times with anhydrous hexane (6 x 100 ml) at 60°C. Catalytic system and prepolymerization: Before introducing the solid catalyst component into the polymerization reactors, it was contacted at 30°C for 9 minutes with triethyl aluminum (TEAL) and dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane (DCPMS), in a weight ratio of TEAL / DCPMS of approximately 15 and in an amount such that the weight ratio of TEAL / solid catalyst component was equal to approximately 4. The catalyst system was subsequently subjected to prepolymerization by keeping it in a liquid propylene suspension at 50 °C for approximately 75 minutes before introducing it into the first polymerization reactor. Polymerization The polymerization was carried out in continuous mode in a series of three gas-phase reactors equipped with devices for transferring the product from the first reactor LQZ iP / ZZηZ / E / YILI to the second. A propylene-based polymer (A) was produced in the first gas-phase polymerization reactor by feeding the prepolymerized catalyst system (with hydrogen as a molecular weight regulator) and propylene, all in the gaseous state, in a continuous and constant flow. The propylene-based polymer (A) from the first reactor was discharged in a continuous flow and, after being purged of unreacted monomers, was introduced, in a continuous flow, into the second gas-phase reactor, along with quantitatively constant flows of hydrogen and ethylene, all in the gaseous state. An ethylene copolymer (B) was produced in the second reactor.The product from the second reactor was discharged in a continuous flow and, after being purged of unreacted monomers, was introduced, in a continuous flow, into the third gas-phase reactor, along with quantitatively constant flows of hydrogen, ethylene, and propylene, all in the gaseous state. An ethylene-propylene polymer (C) was produced in the third reactor. The polymerization conditions, the molar ratio of the reactants, and the compositions of the resulting copolymers are shown in Table 1. The polymer particles exiting the third reactor were steam-treated to remove reactive monomers and volatile substances and then dried. Subsequently, the polymer particles were mixed with a stabilizing additive composition in a Berstorff ZE 25 twin-screw extruder (screw length-to-diameter ratio: 34) and extruded in a nitrogen atmosphere under the following conditions: Rotation speed: 250 rpm; Extruder output: 15 kg / hour; Melting point: 245°C. The stabilizing additive composition comprised the following components: - 0.1% by weight of Irganox® 1010; - 0.1% by weight of Irgafos® 168; and - 0.04% by weight of DHT-4A (hydrotalcite); where all percentage quantities refer to the total weight of the polymer and the stabilizing additive composition. Irganox® 1010 is 2,2-bis[3-[,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-oxopropoxy]methyl]-1,3-propanediyl-3,5bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxybenzenepropanoate, and Irgafos® 168 is tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite. The polymer composition characteristics, indicated in Table 2, are obtained from measurements carried out on the extruded polymer, which constitutes the ethylene polymer composition stabilized according to certain exemplary embodiments described herein. <7 LQZ ίη / ΖΖΠΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ <7 LQZ ίη / ΖΖΠΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ Table 1 - Polymerization conditions Example 1 1st Reactor - component (A) Temperature °C 60 Pressure barg 16 H2 / C3- mol. 0.16 Division % by weight 20 Soluble xylene of (A) (XSA) % by weight 4.6 2nd Reactor - component (B) Temperature °C 80 Pressure barg 18 H2 / C2- mol. 1.04 c4- / (C2- + c4-) mol. 0 c2- / (c2- + c3-) mol. 0.96 Division % by weight 35 3rd Reactor - component (C) Temperature °C 67 Pressure barg 16 h2 / c2- mol. 0.16 c3- / (c2- + c3-) mol. 0.42 C4- / (C2- + C4-) 0.41 Division % by weight 45 Notes: C2- = ethylene (IR); C3- = propylene (IR); C4- = 1-butene (IR); division = amount of polymer produced in the respective reactor. * Calculated values. The characteristics of the polymer in Example 1 are indicated in Table 2. <7 LQZ ίΠ / ΖΖηΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ Table 2 Example 1 Component A C2 content %w 0 XSA %w 4.6 MFR g / 10 min 110 division 0 20 Component B XSB* 0.^ °P 1.7 C2* content % wt 100 C4* content % wt 0 division % wt 35 MFR g / 10 min 17.4 Component C XSC* %w 39.5 C2* content % wt 55.0 C4* content % wt 23 division % wt 45 total composition MFR g / 10 min 0.9 IV soluble in xylene at 25°C dl / g 2.75 C2 = ethylene; C4 = 1-butene; * calculated Bitumen from the polymer of example 1 and comparative example 2 The polymers in Example 1 and Comparative Example 2 have been blended with bitumen. The blends contain 5% of the polymers from Example 1 (T2) and Comparative Example 2 (T2) and 95% bitumen (TI). The two compositions are labeled B1 and B2. Comparative Example 2 is a commercial SBS polymer sold by Kraton for bitumen blends. Asphalt Samples of varying quantities of B1 and B2 were mixed with sand, stone, and gravel to produce asphalt. The characteristics of the resulting asphalt were measured, and the results are shown in Table 3. <7 LQZ ίΠ / ΖΖηΖ / Ε / ΥΙΛΙ Table 3: Quantity* %p Marshall Flow mm Density p_mar Kg / dm3 Voids Vv. void% Bl-1 5.06 4.8 2.38 3.25 Bl-2 4.58 3.7 2.38 4.17 Bl-3 4.31 4.1 2.39 4.17 Bl-4 3.93 2.6 2.37 6.44 B2-1 5.15 8.35 2.39 2.63 B2-2 4.67 5.9 2.41 3.00 B2-3 4.43 4.6 2.42 3.52 B2-4 4.01 4.0 2.39 4.92 *The quantities of B1 and B2 are measured by binder extraction in accordance with UNI EN 12697 - 1 - 2012 (Bituminous mixtures - Test methods for hot mix asphalt - Part 1: Soluble binder content) The density has been measured in accordance with EN 12697-5 2 018; The voids have been measured in accordance with EN 12687-8; Stability and flow have been measured in accordance with EN 12697-34 - 2012. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS <7 LQZ iP / ZZηZ / E / YILI Having described the invention as above, the contents of the following claims are claimed as property:

1. An asphalt product characterized in that it comprises: Z1) of 90%a 98%w of mineral aggregate; Z2) of 2%a 10%w of a bitumen composition comprising: T1) of 99%a 75%w of bitumen, and T2) of 1%a 25%w of polymeric composition comprising the following components, A) 5-35% by weight of a propylene homopolymer containing 10% by weight or less of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSA), the amount of the XSA fraction referring to the weight of A); B) 20-50% by weight of an ethylene homopolymer having 5% by weight or less of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSB) referred to the weight of (B); and C) 30-60% by weight of an ethylene, propylene, and 1-butene terpolymer containing 45% to 65% by weight of ethylene units; and 15% to 38% by weight of 1-butene units;and containing from 30% to 85% by weight of a fraction soluble in xylene at 25°C (XSC), the amount of ethylene units, 1-butene units and the XSC fraction referring to the weight of (C); the amounts of (A), (B) and (C) referring to the total weight of (A) + (B) + (C), the sum of the amount of (A) + (B) + (C) being 100% by weight; 2. The asphalt product according to claim 1, characterized in that in component T2): component A varies from 10% by weight to 30% by weight; component B varies from 25% by weight to 45% by weight; and component C varies from 35% by weight to 55% by weight; 3. The asphalt product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in component T2): component A varies from 15% by weight to 23% by weight; component B varies from 30% by weight to 40% by weight; and component C varies from 40% by weight to 50% by weight.

4. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that in component T2) component A) has the xylene soluble fraction at 25°C (XSA) of 8% or less.

5. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that in component T2) component B) is an ethylene homopolymer having 4% or less of a xylene-soluble fraction at 25°C (XSB). <7 LQZ ίη / ZZΖΠZ / E / YΙΛΙ 6. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that in component T2) component C) is an ethylene, propylene and 1-butene terpolymer containing from 48% to 62% by weight of ethylene units and from 18% to 33% by weight of 1-butene units.

7. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that in component T2) component (A) has the flow rate in the molten state (230°C / 2.16 kg) in the range between 50 and 200 g / 10 min.

8. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that in component T2) component (B) has the flow rate in the molten state (230°C / 2.16 kg) in the range between 0.1 and 70 g / 10 min.

9. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that component T2) the component (A) has the flow rate in the molten state (230°C / 2.16 kg) in the range between 80 and 170 g / 10 min.

10. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that in component T2) component (B) has the flow rate in the molten state (230°C / 2.16 kg) in the range between <7 LQZ ίΠ / ZZηZ / E / YILI 0.1 and 30 g / 10 min.

11. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-10, characterized in that component T2) the ethylene homopolymer component (B) has a density (determined according to ISO 1183 at 23°C) of between 0.940 and 0.965 g / cm3.

12. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that component T2) has a molten flow rate (230°C / 2.16 kg) between 0.8 and 20.0 g / 10 min.

13. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that TI varies from 98%pa to 80%py and T2 varies from 2%pa to 20%p.

14. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that TI varies from 97%pa to 90%py and T2 varies from 3%pa to 10%p.

15. The asphalt product according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that Ti varies from 97%pa to 92%py and T2 varies from 3%pa to 8%p.