Ionic Crosslinked Asphalt Composition for Warm-Mix Applications

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Sulfur-based crosslinking agents require high temperatures for activation, making them less effective for lower temperature asphalt applications such as warm-mix asphalt, and there is a need for compositions that do not rely on high temperature activation for crosslinking.

Innovation Solution

The development of asphalt compositions involving ionically crosslinked products formed by reacting a solid grade oligomer and a polymer using an ionic crosslinking agent, where the polymer is derived from styrene, butadiene, and the solid grade oligomer, and the crosslinking occurs at ambient temperature, eliminating the need for sulfur-based crosslinking agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sulfur-based crosslinking agents are used, then crosslinking effectiveness is improved, but activation temperature requirement increases to 120°C or greater

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosslinking effectivenessVSAvoidactivation temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical nature of the crosslinking agent from sulfur-based to ionic crosslinking agents (such as metal salts including zinc, calcium, aluminum, or magnesium salts of carboxylic acids). This parameter change allows crosslinking to occur at lower temperatures (below 120°C) while maintaining crosslinking effectiveness, thereby resolving the contradiction between crosslinking effectiveness and activation temperature requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the thermal activation mechanism of sulfur-based crosslinking with an ionic crosslinking mechanism that does not rely on high temperature activation. The ionic crosslinking agents form ionic bonds or coordination complexes with functional groups on polymer chains, enabling crosslinking at lower temperatures through chemical affinity rather than thermal energy, thus resolving the temperature contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If sulfur-based crosslinking agents are used in warm-mix asphalt applications, then crosslinking is achieved, but hydrogen sulfide emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosslinking effectivenessVSAvoidhydrogen sulfide emissions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the harmful byproduct (hydrogen sulfide) by completely replacing sulfur-based crosslinking agents with ionic crosslinking agents. The ionic crosslinking process produces no harmful emissions, converting a harmful chemical process into a clean process while maintaining crosslinking effectiveness, thus resolving the contradiction between crosslinking effectiveness and harmful emissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If high temperature processing is used for sulfur-based crosslinking, then crosslinking activation is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosslinking activationVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the activation mechanism from thermal activation (requiring high temperature) to chemical activation (using ionic crosslinking agents that react at lower temperatures). This parameter change reduces the energy input required for crosslinking activation while maintaining effective crosslinking, thereby resolving the contradiction between crosslinking activation and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach allows for effective crosslinking at lower temperatures, enabling the use of the crosslinked product in various applications, including warm-mix asphalt, with improved performance and reduced hydrogen sulfide emissions, and provides greater control over the polymer-modified asphalt composition.

Implementation Method 1

ionically crosslinking a solid grade oligomer and a polymer using an ionic crosslinking agent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonic crosslinking: Ion Repulsion/Attraction

Implementation Method 2

crosslinking a solid grade oligomer and a polymer using an ionic crosslinking agent to form a crosslinked product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical bonding: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2970517B1Crosslinked products prepared by ionically crosslinking a solid grade oligomer and a polymer using an ionic crosslinking agent and methods of making the same

Publication Date: 2020.01.01 BASF SE

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein are compositions comprising a crosslinked product prepared by ionically crosslinking a solid grade oligomer and a polymer using an ionic crosslinking agent. In some embodiments, the polymer is derived from a hydrophobic monomer and/or a gas-phase mono- mer. In some embodiments, the solid grade oligomer is reacted with a polymer comprising a hydrophobic monomer and/or a gas-phase monomer. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making the disclosed compositions. The compositions disclosed herein can be used in a variety of applications including, but not limited to, asphalt compositions, paints, coatings, carpet compositions, paper binding and coating compositions, foams, or adhesives.