Bituminous Binder Softening Temperature via Polymer Merging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bituminous binder compositions fail to consistently meet the stringent criteria of elastic return, viscosity, Ball-Ring Temperature, and storage stability, particularly when using EDA-GMA terpolymers, which often require additional maturation steps and acidic adjuvants, leading to instability and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A bituminous binder composition combining a terpolymer of alpha olefin, unsaturated epoxide, and ethylenic monomer with a copolymer of alpha olefin and unsaturated epoxy, in specific ratios, along with an acidic adjuvant, to enhance physicochemical and mechanical properties, achieving synergistic effects that improve stability and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If EDA-GMA terpolymer is added to bituminous binder, then elastic return and adhesion properties are improved, but Ball-Ring Temperature remains insufficient and storage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines EDA-GMA terpolymer with alpha olefin/unsaturated epoxy copolymer in a synergistic mixture. The copolymer component specifically addresses the Ball-Ring Temperature deficiency while the terpolymer maintains its adhesion and elastic return properties, resolving the contradiction between improving strength and maintaining temperature performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite thermoplastic system comprising two distinct polymer types (terpolymer and copolymer) with complementary properties. The copolymer contributes to high Ball-Ring Temperature while the terpolymer provides elastic return, creating a composite material that satisfies multiple performance criteria simultaneously.
2Strength
If EDA-GMA terpolymer is used in bituminous binder, then adhesion and flexibility are enhanced, but viscosity and storage stability become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges EDA-GMA terpolymer (providing adhesion and flexibility) with alpha olefin/unsaturated epoxy copolymer (providing viscosity and stability). This combination allows the binder to maintain excellent adhesion properties from the terpolymer while gaining storage stability and viscosity control from the copolymer component.
3Strength
If additional maturation steps and acidic adjuvants are added to process EDA-GMA terpolymer, then polymer properties are improved, but process complexity and instability increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic maturation and acidic adjuvant steps from the processing procedure. The copolymer component is designed to provide the necessary properties without requiring these complex additional processing steps, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining or improving polymer performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the thermoplastic blend by introducing the copolymer component, which inherently provides the desired properties without requiring extreme processing conditions or additional chemical additives, thus reducing process complexity.
4Strength
If single thermoplastic additive is used in bitumen, then specific property is improved, but overall performance across multiple criteria becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal thermoplastic additive system where the copolymer component contributes multiple functions: enhancing Ball-Ring Temperature, improving viscosity, and providing storage stability. When combined with the terpolymer, the system achieves multi-functionality that satisfies all performance criteria simultaneously, making it adaptable to various application requirements.
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 combination of these thermoplastic polymers in the bituminous binder composition significantly enhances Ball-Ring Temperature, viscosity, and elastic return while maintaining storage stability, ensuring homogeneity and improved performance across various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the Ball-Ring Temperature, which must be greater than 70°C and preferably greater than 75°C
Implementation Method 2
the viscosity at 135°C which should ideally be less than 3000 mPA.s
Implementation Method 3
the elastic return (%) which must be greater than 70% and preferably greater than 75%
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a bituminous binder, comprising 97% to 99.9%, by weight of the binder, of bitumen, a combination of two thermoplastic polymers representing 0.1 to 3 % by weight of the binder, the first polymer consisting of a terpolymer (A) of an alpha olefin, an unsaturated epoxide and an ethylene monomer carrying a polar function having an MFI of less than 50g/10mn (190°C, 2.16 kg measured according to ISO 1133), characterised in that the second copolymer (B) consists of a copolymer of an alpha olefin and an unsaturated epoxide having an MFI of less than 50g/10mn (190°C, 2.16 kg measured according to ISO 1133). It also concerns the use of the two abovementioned thermoplastics (A) and (B) for producing the bituminous coating composition, and said composition.