Asphalt modification

The addition of copolymers into asphalts (or bitumen in Europe) for road making will make their mechanical behavior less dependant on temperature, and as close as possible to an ideal behavior. The goal is to avoid both deformation at elevated temperature which may result in rutting and fatigue and retractation at cold temperatures, resulting in road cracking. The EVA and Ethylene / acrylic ester copolymers are compatible with bitumen and will increase the mechanical performances of binders and result in a higher level of safety and comfort for users. The amount of copolymer to be added to bitumen varies typically from 3% to 10% depending of final performances to be achieved like resistance to rutting or to deformation for heavy traffic or impermeabilisation of bridges or viaducts.