Bitumen Polymer Composition Tensile Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bitumen/polymer compositions often have insufficient tensile strength and storage stability, particularly in hot conditions, limiting their effectiveness in various applications.

Innovation Solution

A bitumen/polymer composition comprising bitumen, heat-crosslinkable block copolymers with specific molecular weight ranges and vinyl content, and an olefinic polymer adjuvant functionalized with glycidyl groups, which are combined and heated between 100°C and 200°C to enhance mechanical properties and storage stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional bitumen/polymer compositions are used, then processing is simpler, but tensile strength is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidcomposition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite bitumen/polymer composition incorporating specific block copolymers (SBS, S-B1-B2) with defined molecular weights and vinyl contents, combined with bitumen in optimized ratios. This composite structure achieves superior tensile strength (exceeding 500% elongation at break) while maintaining processability, resolving the contradiction between strength enhancement and composition complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes critical parameters including block copolymer vinyl content (20-30%), molecular weight ratios, and bitumen/polymer ratios. By precisely controlling these parameters, the composition achieves high tensile strength without requiring overly complex formulations, thereby resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional bitumen/polymer compositions are used, then formulation is simpler, but storage stability in hot conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidformulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight and vinyl content parameters of block copolymers, specifically using S-B1-B2 copolymers with controlled vinyl content (20-30%) and specific molecular weight ranges. These parameter optimizations enhance storage stability at high temperatures (maintaining composition integrity after 3 days at 180°C) while avoiding excessive formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite system where bitumen is combined with specifically engineered block copolymers in optimized ratios. This composite formulation achieves superior storage stability through synergistic interactions between components, resolving the contradiction between reliability enhancement and formulation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If higher polymer quantities are used to improve mechanical properties, then tensile strength increases, but cost and viscosity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetensile strengthVSAvoidpolymer quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the polymer quantity parameter to specific ranges (3-15% by weight relative to bitumen) and combines it with optimized molecular weight and vinyl content parameters of the block copolymers. This multi-parameter optimization achieves high tensile strength (exceeding 500% elongation) without requiring excessive polymer quantities, thereby reducing cost and managing viscosity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses block copolymers with specific local structural qualities (defined vinyl content distribution, molecular weight ranges) that maximize mechanical property enhancement per unit of polymer. This localized quality optimization allows achieving high strength with reduced overall polymer quantity, resolving the contradiction between strength and quantity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Strength

If conventional polymers are used, then mixing is easier, but elastic properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelastic propertiesVSAvoidmixing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite system combining bitumen with specifically structured block copolymers (SBS, S-B1-B2) that have optimized molecular weights and vinyl contents. These composite materials exhibit superior elastic properties (springback >65%) while maintaining adequate mixing characteristics, resolving the contradiction between elastic property enhancement and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition achieves improved tensile strength and storage stability, with tensile strength at 5°C exceeding 500% and storage stability at 180°C maintained for at least 3 days, demonstrating a synergistic effect that enhances elastic properties and reduces the need for higher polymer quantities.

Implementation Method 1

heat-crosslinkable block copolymers of formula S-B1-B2... which are combined and heated between 100°C and 200°C to enhance mechanical properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat crosslinking:

Implementation Method 2

olefinic polymer adjuvant functionalized with glycidyl groups... the elastomer/adjuvant mass ratio in the composition ranges from 15/1 to 2/1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP3350239B1Bitumen/polymer composition having improved mechanical properties
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 TOTAL MARKETING SERVICES SA

AI summary

Thermally crosslinkable bitumen/polymer composition based on at least one elastomer of S-B1-B2 type, with S a styrene polymer or other vinylaromatic polymer, B1 and B2 polybutadienes, the composition comprising an adjuvant of olefinic polymer type, the composition having improved mechanical properties. Use of these compositions in the fields of road applications such as hot bituminous mixes; warm bituminous mixes; cold bituminous mixes, for example cold-poured bituminous mixes or emulsion gravels; or surface dressings, for example fluxed bitumens or emulsions; and in the fields of industrial applications, for example in the manufacture of internal and external coatings.