Characteristics of two-component epoxy modified bitumen

Coal tar bearing emulsions were used in the Netherlands as binder in anti-skid surfaces for runways because of their perfect adhesion and fuel resistance properties. They are however toxic and will not be allowed anymore after 2010. Therefore alternatives need to be developed. As one of the alternatives, two types of two-component epoxy modified bitumen have been investigated by means of direct tensile tests (DTT), relaxation tests (RT) and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) tests. The effect of the curing temperature on the strength development of the epoxy modified bitumen was tested. The results show that the tensile strength increases with increasing curing time and temperature. DTT and RT results indicate that this new epoxy modified bitumen has a much higher tensile strength, cures faster than a bitumen emulsion as a binder. Furthermore, it shows a good stress relaxation even at lower temperatures. The curing speed and the ultimate tensile strength after full curing can be easily adjusted. The DSR results show that the complex modulus of this epoxy modified binder is less susceptible to changes in temperature. The results also suggest that this epoxy modified bitumen has better anti-crack properties at lower temperature and less permanent deformation than bituminous binders at higher temperatures. All these results shows that this type of two-component epoxy modified bitumen can be promising as a binder in anti-skid layers