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Exploring the low-temperature performance of MPP-modified asphalt binders and mixtures using wet method
Summary
This paper is not about microplastic pollution; it tests multilayer plastic packaging (MPP) as a modifier in road asphalt binders, finding that amounts above 2% worsen cold-temperature performance.
Thermal cracking significantly impacts the structural integrity of flexible pavements, particularly in colder regions like Canada. Limited studies investigated the impact of plastic modification of asphalt binders and mixtures using the wet method on the low-temperature performance of asphalt materials. The plastic material utilized in this project is multilayer plastic packaging (MPP). This study aims to determine whether MPP can be integrated to enhance the performance of the MPP-modified binder and MPP-modified mixtures, especially considering that MPP accounts for just over 40% of total plastic usage, making it the largest end-use market segment. This research evaluates the impact on rheological and mechanical behaviour when introducing MPP additives to conventional hot mix asphalt. This study used the wet method to test MPP-modified asphalt materials at 2%, 4%, and 8% (by weight of the asphalt binder). Test results demonstrate that the MPP modification percentage should ideally not exceed 2% as blends with 4% MPP or higher exhibited lower performance at low temperatures. The use of a softer binder as a base binder would help increase the MPP modification rates, but this hypothesis needs to be validated experimentally.