Indian Road Congress (Special Publication 53)

GUIDELINES ON USE OF POLYMER AND RUBBER

MODIFIED BITUMEN IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION
(First Revision)

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Flexible pavements with bituminous surfacing are widely used in India. The high
traffic intensity in terms of commercial vehicles, overloading of trucks and significant
variations in daily and seasonal temperature of the pavement have been responsible for
early development of distress symptoms, like, ravelling, undulations, rutting, cracking,
bleeding, shoving and potholing of bituminous surfacing. A factor which causes further
concern in India is very high and low pavement temperature in some part of the
country. Under these conditions, flexible pavements tend to become soft in summer
and brittle in winter.
1.2 Investigations in India and countries abroad have revealed that properties of
bitumen and bituminous mixes can be improved to meet requirements of pavement with
incorporation of certain additives or blend of additives. These additives are called
“Bitumen Modifiers” and the bitumen premixed with these modifiers is know as
“Modified Bitumen”

2. SCOPE

2.1 These guidelines deal with the use of Polymer and Rubber Modified Bitumen in
road construction and their advantages, applications, type of modifiers and precautions
needed during their use.
2.2 Separate specifications for Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) and Rubber
Modified Bitumen (RMB), applications, choice of appropriate grade and handling of
the modified bitumen at site are also dealt in these guidelines. Broad range of
temperature prevailing at different construction sites, methods of tests for phase
separations and elastic recovery are also included in these guidelines.

3. ADVANTAGES OF POLYMER AND RUBBER MODIFIED BITUMEN

3.1 Properties of modified binders depend upon type and quantity of modifier used
and process employed adopted for their manufacture. The advantages of modified
bitumen can include one or more of the following for road works:

 Lower susceptibility to daily and seasonal temperature variations

 Higher resistance to deformation at elevated pavement temperature
 Better age resistance properties.

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  Higher fatigue life of mixes
 Delay of cracking and reflective cracking
 Overall improved performance in extreme climatic conditions and under
heavy traffic conditions

3.2 The choice of modified bitumen may be made on the basis of traffic, climate,
comparison in cost and overall life cycle cost analysis.

4. GENERAL REQUIRMENT OF MODIFIERS

4.1. Polymer and Rubber Modified Bitumen, often abbreviated as Modified Bitumen
is obtained with the incorporation of selected thermoplastics, powdered rubber from
discarded truck tyres, natural rubber or any other suitable elastomers in bitumen. When
used as bitumen modifier, selected polymers/rubbers or a blend of these should have
the following properties :

 Be compatible with bitumen

 Resist degradation of bitumen at mixing temperature
 Be capable of being processed by conventional mixing and laying machinery
 Produce coating viscosity at application temperature
 Maintain premium properties during storage, application and in service
 Be cost-effective on a life-cycle-cost basis

4.2 Homogeneity is very important for desired performance of modified binders.

They should be prepared by appropriate industrial process and plant.

4.3 A number of proprietary products are also available in market, with which
bitumen has been modified with a blend of modifiers. These products shall also comply
with the above requirements besides conformity to specifications. Product shall be
evaluated for their suitability in an approved laboratory.

5. TYPE OF BITUMEN MODIFIERS AND THEIR INDICATIVE DOSE

5.1. Over the years, different types of materials have been investigated as additives
for bitumen modifications. Some of them, which are reported to have desired potential
in road works, are listed in Table 1. The dose of additive depends on the requirement of
specifications.

TABLE 1. CLASSIFICATION OF RUBBER AND POLYMER BASED BITUMEN

MODIFIERS

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 Type of Modifiers Examples

Plastomeric Polyethylene (PE), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

Synthetic Polymers
Thermoplastics (EVA), Ethylene Butyl Acrylate (EBA) and
Ethylene Ter Polymer (ETP), etc.

Elastomeric Styrene Isoprene Styrene (SIS), Styrene-

Thermoplastics Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) block
copolymer,etc.
Synthetic
Rubbers

Synthetic Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) latex and

Rubber Latex any other suitable synthetic rubber

Natural Rubber Latex or Rubber powder

Other Rubber

Crumb Rubber Crumb Rubber powder from discarded

truck tyres further improved by
additives, viz., gilsonite resin, etc.

PMB 120PMB 70PMB 40Penetration at 25oC90 to 15050 to 9030 to 50 IS: 1203-

1978Softening Point505560 IS: 1205-1978Ductility at 27oC,+75+60+50 IS: 1208-1978Fraass
Breaking Point, C, Max.-24-18-12 IS: 9381-1978Flash Point, by COC oC,
o

Minimum220220220 IS: 1209-1978Elastic Recovery of Half Thread in Ductilometer at 15oC, %,

Min.757575 Appendix - 1Seperation, Difference in Softening Point, R&B, ooC, Max.333
Appendix - 2Viscosity at 150oC. Poise1 - 32 - 63 - 9 IS: 1206-1978Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) on
Residue (IS: 9382-1992)Loss in Weight, %,1.01.01.0 IS: 9382-1982Increase in Softening Point, oC,
Max.765 IS: 1205-1978Reduction in Penetration of Residue, at 25oC, Max. IS: 1205-1978Elastic
Recovery of Half Thread in Ductilometer at 25oC, %, Min Appendix-1

TABLE 3. REQIREMENT OF POLYMER MODIFIED BINDERS (PMB)

(PLASTOMERIC THERMOPLASTIC BASED)

Designation Grade and Requirements Method of Test

PMB 120 PMB 70 PMB 40
Penetration at 90 to 150 50 to 90 30 to 50
25oC IS: 1203-1978
0.1 mm, 100g, 5

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 Sec.
Softening Point 50 55 60
(R&B), oC, Min. IS: 1205-1978
Ductility at 27oC, +75 +60 +50
IS: 1208-1978
Fraass Breaking -20 -16 -12
Point, oC, Max. IS: 9381-1978
Flash Point, by 220 220 220
COC oC, Min. IS: 1209-1978
Elastic Recovery 75 50 50
of Half Thread in Appendix - 1
Ductilometer at
15oC, %, Min.
Seperation, 3 3 3
Difference in Appendix - 2
Softening Point,
R&B, ooC, Max.
Viscosity at 1-3 2-6 3-9
150oC, IS: 1206-1978
Poise

Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) on Residue (IS: 9382-1992)

Loss in Weight, %, 1.0 1.0 1.0 IS: 9382-1982

Max.

Increase in 7 6 5 IS: 1205-1978

Softening Point, oC,
Max.
Reduction in
Penetration of 35 35 35 IS: 1205-1978
Residue, at 25oC,
Max.
Elastic Recovery of
Half Thread in 35 35 35 Appendix-1
Ductilometer at
25oC, %, Min

Relevant to show bound cold climate areas.

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7.3 The Natural Rubber Modified Bitumen (NRMB) shall possess the properties as
given in Table 4.

TABLE 4. REQUIRMENT OF NATURAL RUBBER MODIFIED BINDERS

(NRMB)

Designation Grade and Requirements Method of Test

NRMB NRMB NRMB
120 70 40
Penetration at 90 to 150 50 to 90 30 to 50
25oC IS: 1203-1978
0.1 mm, 100g, 5
Sec.
Softening Point 50 55 60
(R&B), oC, Min. IS: 1205-1978
Ductility at 27oC, +75 +60 +50
IS: 1208-1978
Fraass Breaking -20 -16 -12
Point, oC, IS: 9381-1978
Max.
Flash Point, by 220 220 220
COC oC, IS: 1209-1978
Minimum
Elastic Recovery
of Half Thread in 50 40 30 Appendix - 1
Ductilometer at
15oC, %, Min.
Seperation,
Difference in 4 4 4 Appendix - 2
Softening Point,
R&B, ooC, Max.

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 Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) on Residue (IS: 9382-1992)

Penetration at 250C, 60 60 60 IS: 1203-1978

0.1 mm, 100g, 5
Sec, Min, % of
Original

Increase in 7 6 5 IS: 1205-1978

Softening Point,
(R&B), oC, Max.
Elastic Recovery of
Half Thread in 35 30 25 Appendix-1
Ductilometer at
25oC, %, Min

Relevant to show bound cold climate areas.

7.4 Crumb rubber improved by adding other hydrocarbon materials or resins, e.g.,
Gilsonite, etc. is used for preparing modified bitumen. The requirements of Crumb
Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB) are given in Table 5.

Table 5. REQUIRMENT OF RUBBER MODIFIED BINDERS (CRMB)

(CRUMB RUBBER AND TREATED CRUMB RUBBER MODIFIED)

Designation Grade and Requirements Method of Test

CRMB CRMB CRMB
50 55 60
Penetration at
25oC <70 <60 <50 IS: 1203-1978
0.1 mm, 100g, 5
Sec.
Softening Point 50 55 60
(R&B), oC, Min. IS: 1205-1978
Flash Point, by 220 220 220
COC oC, Min. IS: 1209-1978

Elastic Recovery 50 50 50 Appendix - 1

of Half Thread in
Ductilometer at
15oC, %, Min.

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 Seperation,
Difference in 4 4 4 Appendix - 2
Softening Point,
R&B, ooC, Max.

Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) on Residue (IS: 9382-1992)

Penetration at 250C, 60 60 60 IS: 1203-1978

0.1 mm, 100g, 5
Sec, Min, % of
Original

Increase in 7 6 5 IS: 1205-1978

Softening Point,
(R&B), oC, Max.
Elastic Recovery of
Half Thread in 35 35 35 Appendix-1
Ductilometer at 25oC,
%, Min

7.5 The elastic recovery test procedure is given in Appendix-1. The storage stability
of Polymer/Rubber Modified Bitumen shall be ensured by separation test given in
Appendix-2. before its use.

7.6 Modified bitumen may be supplied hot at 125-175oC in insulated tankers with
suitable agitating devices. Modified bitumen may also be supplied in packed drums, bags
or boxes.

7.7 Modified bitumen refinery sources or blended at approved central plant or made
by appropriate mobile blending plant with site testing facility shall be used for road
works. Blending at site by simple stirrers is not permitted.

8. CHOICE OF RUBBER AND POLYMER MODIFIED BITUMEN

8.1 Modified Bitumen’s are generally recommended for the roads with heavy traffic
and located in extreme climate areas. The selection of the type of the bitumen will be
based on climatic, traffic, performance reports and life cycle cost analysis.

8.2 The selection criteria for grade of modified bitumen shall be based on
atmospheric temperature as given in Table 6. The soften recommended grade are PMB
120, NRMB 120, and CRMB 50, which shall be used for cold climatic areas. PMB 70,
NRMB 70 and CRMB 55 are used for moderate climate and PMB 40, NRMB 40 and
CRMB 60 are used for hot climate areas and heavy traffic conditions. The specific grade
shall be chosen on the basis of minimum and maximum atmospheric temperature in the
region as indicated in Table 6.

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TABLE 6. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PMB, NRMB, AND CRMB BASED ON
ATMOSPHERIC TEMPRATURE.
Minimum Pavement Temperature, o C

Maximum Atmospheric Temperature, o C

< 35 35 to 45 > 45

< - 10 PMB/NRMB-120 PMB/NRMB-70 MB/NRMB-70

CRMB- 50 CRMB-55 CRMB-55

10 to - 10 PMB/NRMB-70 PMB/NRMB-70 PMB/NRMB-40

CRMB-50 CRMB-55 CRMB-60

> 10 PMB/NRMB-70 PMB/NRMB-70 PMB/NRMB-40

CRMB-55 CRMB-55 CRMB-60

CRMB 50 - Not below 15oC .

8.3. For cold climate snow bound areas, Fraass breaking point values of modified
bitumen will be taken into account. The value of Fraass breaking point shall be less than
seven days average minimum atmospheric temperature of the area or as indicated im the
Table 2, 3 and 4.

8.4 PMB and RMB (NRMB/CRMB) grade indicated in Table 6. dose not mean
equivalent performance in indicated climatic condition of the location.

9. DESIGN OF MIXES
9.1 The hot mix construction using modified bitumen should be carried out when the
temperature is above 15 degree Celsius. The properties of hot mixed bituminous
macadam, dense bituminous concrete or semi-dense bituminous concrete prepared with
modified bitumen shall be in compliance with the requirements given in Table 7. IRC or
MoRT & H Specifications and guidelines shall be used for construction of roads with
these specifications including closely graded premix carpet, semi-dense, and dense
graded bituminous courses.

9.2. The mix design for dense bituminous macadam, bituminous concrete or semi-
dense bituminous concrete shall be done in same manner as used for ordinary bitumen by
Marshal Method of Mix design (ASTM: D: 1559-1979). The requirements of mixes with
modified bitumen are indicated in Table 7.

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TABLE 7. REQUIRMENT OF MIX PREPARED WITH MODIFIED BITUMEN

SI Properties Requirement Method of Test

No.
Hot Cold High
Climate Climate Rainfall
1. Marshall Stability 1200 1000 1200 ASTM :
(75 blows) at 60oC,kg, D: 1559-1979
Min

2. Marshall Flow at 2.5 – 4.0 3.5 – 5.0 3.0 – 4.5 ASTM :

60oC,mm D: 1559-1979
3. Marshall Quotient, 250 - 500 Stability / Flow
kg/mm
4. Voids in compacted mix, 3.0 - 5.0
%
5. Requirement of retained 90 95 100 ASTM :
stability after 24 hours in D:1075-1979
water at 60oC,% Min

6. Coating with aggregate, 95 95 100 AASHTO

% T 182

10. HANDLING OF MODIFIED BITUMEN AND MIXES AT SITE

10.1 It is extremely important that the modifier is thoroughly blended with bitumen
before the preparation of the mix so that the modified bitumen retains its premium
properties. Different types of modifiers require different techniques of blending.
Blending at refinery, or centre unit with all facilities by proper industrial proper
Industrial process is essential. The storage stability of modified bitumen at high
temperature is very important.

10.2 The modified bitumen shall preferably be blended at refinery, supplied hot in
tankers or if supplied in drums shall be agitated in melted condition with suitable device
for achieving homogeneity. Test for penetration, softening point, separation and elastic
recovery shall be conducted for a lot of 10 tones Rubber/Polymer Modified Bitumen,

10.3 The temperature of mixing and rolling shall be slightly higher than conventional
bituminous mixes. The broad range of viscosity and the temperature at different stages is
given in Table 8. The exact temperature depends upon the type amount of modifier used
and shall be adopted as per advice of supplier or test data of viscosity of modified
bitumen at different temperature.

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TABLE 8. BROAD RANGE OF VISCOSITY AND TEMPRATURE
REQUIREMENTS FOR MODIFIED BINDERS

Stage of Work Viscosity Indicated Temperature

(Poise) (oC)

Binder at mixing Max 2 165 - 185

Mix at mixing plant Max 4 140 – 160

Mix at laying site Max 5 130 - 150

Rolling at laying site 10 - 1000 115 - 135

11. CONTROLS

11.1. The specification for various items of road works using Polymer/Rubber
Modified Bitumen are same as those for penetration grade bitumen in IRC: 14, IRC:
29, IRC: 94, IRC: 105 and IRC: 95 for open graded premix carpet, bituminous
concrete, dense bituminous macadam, asphaltic concrete for airfield pavements and
semi-dense bituminous concrete respectively or as indicated in technical literature of
product.

12. PRECAUTIONS

12.1. Polymer and rubber modified bitumen supplied in drums or bags shall be
agitated in melted condition using suitable device before use to ensure uniform
dispersion as per advice of manufacturer.

12.2. Manufacture of proprietary product shall be responsible to provide full details

to user for special precautions needed for their products at site or may depute their
technical personnel, if required.

12.3. Multiple heating of modified bitumen shall be avoided to retain its premium
properties.

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 12.4. In case of NR modified bitumen, material shall be supplied at 130 – 150oC
and shall be used within 24 hours of its filling.
50
50
50
35
35
35
Max.

(R&B), oC, Min.

0.1 mm, 100g, 5 Sec.

5.2. Proprietary products may be contain a blend of different polymeric additives

to achieve improvement in properties of bitumen for road works.

6. APPLICATION OF RUBBER AND POLYMER MODIFIED BITUMEN

6.1. Since a bituminous mix prepared with modified bitumen has a higher
stiffness modulus, enhanced fatigue life, better resistance to creep and higher
indirect tensile strength, it is quite suitable as renewal course and overlay material
on surfaces which are badly cracked and subjected to heavy traffic. They are also
used as Stress Absorbing Membrane Interlayer (SAM) for scaling of cracks as well
as interim overlay for preventive maintenance or as Stress Absorbing Membrane
Interlayer (SAMI) for delaying reflection cracking.

6.2. Plastomeric thermoplastics based modified bitumen are not considered

suitable for Stress Absorbing Membrane (SAM) and Stress Absorbing Membrane
Interlayer (SAM).
6.3.
6.4.

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 6.5. 7. SPECIFICATION FOR POLYMER AND RUBBER MODIFIED
BITUMEN
6.6.
6.7. 7.1. The requirement of bitumen’s modified with synthetic elastomeric
thermoplastics, like, Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) Block Copolymer,
Styrene (SIS) and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is given in Table 2.
6.8.
6.9. 7.2. Requirement for modified bitumen’s prepared by plastomeric
thermoplastics,viz., Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Ethylene Butyl Acetate
(EBA), Ethylene Methyl Acrylate (EMA), Ethylene Ter Polymers (ETP)
and Polyethylene (PE) are given in Table 3.
6.10.
6.11. TABLE 2. REQUIRMENT OF POLYMER MODIFIED BINDERS
(PMB)
6.12. (ELASTOMERIC THERMOPLASTIC BASED)
6.13.
6.14.
6.15. Designation

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