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5794905 
Journal Article 
MODIFICATION OF ASPHALT BY BLOCK POLYMERS OF BUTADIENE AND STYRENE 
Kraus, G 
1982 
1 
Rubber Chemistry and Technology
ISSN: 0035-9475
EISSN: 1943-4804 
AMER CHEMICAL SOC INC 
AKRON 
Meeting - American Chemical Society, Rubber Division 
55 
5 
1389-1402 
English 
WOS:A1982PT04300009 
Elastomeric thermoplastic block polymers of butadiene and styrene are highly effective in converting asphalts into truly rubber-like materials. Additions of 10-14% of these polymers to asphalt result in lower penetration values, greatly reduced flow above room temperature, increases in softening temperature to values in excess of 100 degree C and superior low temperature flexibility. The blends are characterized by a unique morphology in which the block polymer, swollen with the lower molecular weight constituents of the asphalt, forms a continuous lacework in a bituminous phase enriched with asphaltenes. The polymer-rich phase consists in turn of two microphases derived from the block polymer domain structure. At low concentrations, where the swollen polymer forms discrete inclusions in the asphaltic continuum, effects on the physical properties of the asphalt are less pronounced but can still be significant. The multiphase morphology of these composites accounts satisfactorily for the most important features of their mechanical behavior.