Polymer Modified Bitumen

Polymer Modified Bitumen was introduced in the 1930s to improve road durability. In the 1970s, SBS polymers boosted their elasticity and temperature stability. By the 2000s, FunPMB offered environmental benefits. Today, PMB is essential for sustainable, durable infrastructure.

What is polymer modified bitumen?

Polymer modified bitumen (PMB) is a specially engineered material made by blending bitumen with polymers, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), to enhance its elasticity, durability, and cohesiveness.

This improved performance makes PMB ideal for heavy-duty traffic pavements, extreme weather conditions, roofing systems, and corrosion protection applications.

Over the past two decades, PMB has gained significant attention, leading to extensive research on its properties and the interaction between bitumen and polymers. Polymer modified bitumen in road construction has made PMB an essential material in modern infrastructure projects.

Information on Polymer-Modified Bitumen (PMB):

Attribute	Details
HS Code	27150000 (Bituminous mixtures)
Chemical Formula	C25H32 (modified with SBS or APP)
CAS Numbers	– Bitumen: 8052-42-4- SBS: 9003-55-8- APP: 9003-07-0

Production of polymer modified bitumen

PMB production involves integrating polymers with base bitumen to enhance its physical and performance characteristics. Each method offers unique benefits, tailored to different applications such as road construction, roofing, and waterproofing. Here are the types of production.

Mechanical Blending (High Shear Mixing)

Polymers are blended into heated bitumen using high-shear mixers. It ensures high-quality, scalable polymer-modified bitumen but requires high energy and specialized equipment.

Chemical Modification

Reactive polymers or chemicals improve bitumen’s compatibility and durability. This method enhances aging resistance and elasticity but is complex and costly.

In-Situ Blending

Polymers are added at the asphalt plant during production. It’s cost-effective and adjustable but can have quality control challenges and require plant modifications.

Pre-Blending of Polymer (Masterbatch Method)

A polymer concentrate is mixed with base bitumen. This ensures consistency but adds costs and risk of phase separation.

Bitumen Emulsion with Polymer

Polymers are added to bitumen emulsion for cold-mix applications. It reduces energy use and improves adhesion but has a limited shelf life and is unsuitable for hot mixes.

Comparison of polymer modified bitumen Methods

Method	Cost	Scalability	Application Suitability	Challenges
Mechanical Blending	High	Large-scale	Roads, roofing, high-performance mixes	High energy, polymer degradation risk
Chemical Modification	Very High	Specialized	Long-lasting, high-stress applications	Complex reactions, safety requirements
In-Situ Blending	Low	Flexible	Asphalt plants, small-scale projects	Quality consistency, plant modification
Pre-Blending (Masterbatch)	Moderate	Medium-scale	Controlled batch production	Storage and processing steps
Bitumen Emulsion	Low to Moderate	Surface treatments	Cold-mix, waterproofing	Limited shelf life, temperature-sensitive

Polymer modified bitumen specification

Polymer modified bitumen like any other bitumen product has special specifications and properties which are listed in the charts below. Knowing about these will help industry owners to choose an effective form of bitumen.

Polymer modified bitumen specification:

specification	Details
Penetration (ASTM D5)	PMB 120: 90-150, PMB 70: 50-90, PMB 40: 30-50
Softening Point (ASTM D36)	PMB 120: ≥ 50°C, PMB 70: ≥ 55°C, PMB 40: ≥ 60°C
Elastic Recovery (ASTM D6084)	≥ 60% at 15°C
Flash Point (ASTM D92)	≥ 220°C
Separation Resistance	Softening point difference ≤ 3°C
Aging Resistance (ASTM D1754)	Mass loss ≤ 1%, Penetration reduction ≤ 35%
Elastic Recovery at 25°C	≥ 50%

Polymer modified bitumen properties:

properties	Details
Elasticity	Flexible, resistant to deformation
Durability	Resists aging, UV, and oxidation
Temperature Resilience	Works in heat and cold
Adhesion	Strong bonding with materials
Water Resistance	Waterproof
Skid Resistance	High traction
Fatigue Resistance	Resists stress cycles from traffic

Types of Polymer modified bitumen

There are several types of PMB based on the specific polymers added, each tailored to improve specific properties.

1. Elastomeric PMB: Incorporates elastomers such as SBS, improving elasticity and flexibility, making it ideal for high-traffic areas that endure repeated loads and stress recovery.
2. Plastomeric PMB: Uses plastomers like EVA to enhance stiffness and temperature resistance, suitable for extreme weather conditions and preventing deformation under high heat.
3. Hybrid PMB: A combination of elastomers and plastomers, providing a balance of flexibility and stiffness for roads with varying climates and load demands.

Besides these types, there are other types of polymer-modified bitumen which are listed below. These PMB types provide specific benefits, making them versatile for various construction and road maintenance projects. Types of Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) and Their Applications:

Filler Polymers

Purpose: Fill voids, reduce asphalt content, and improve stability and bonding.
Examples: Mineral filler, lime, Portland cement, fly ash, carbon black.

Extender Polymers

Purpose: Replace 20–35% of asphalt to reduce usage.

Examples: Sulfur, and lignin.

Rubber Polymers

Purpose: Enhance stiffness at high temperatures, improve elasticity at medium temperatures, and reduce stiffness at low temperatures.

Examples: Natural latex, synthetic latex (e.g., SBS), and reclaimed rubber (e.g., crumb rubber from tires).

Plastic Polymers

Purpose: Improve mechanical properties and stability.

Examples: Polyethylene, polypropylene, EVA, PVC, rubber-plastic blends.

Fiber Polymers

Purpose: Improve tensile strength and cohesion, allowing higher asphalt content without drain-down.

Examples: Natural fibers (asbestos, rock wool), and manufactured fibers (polypropylene, polyester, fiberglass).

Oxidants

Purpose: Increase stiffness after placement.

Examples: Manganese salts.

Antioxidants
Purpose: Enhance durability by slowing oxidation.

Examples: Lead compounds, carbon, and calcium salts.

Hydrocarbon Polymers

Purpose: Restore aged asphalt properties, and increase stiffness.

Examples: Recycling oils, and rejuvenating oils.

Antistripping Agents

Purpose: Prevent asphalt stripping from aggregates.

Examples: Amines, lime.

Waste Materials

Purpose: Economically replace asphalt or aggregate.

Examples: Roofing shingles, recycled tires, and glass.

Polymer modified bitumen uses and grades

Polymer modified bitumen is widely used in road construction. Its advantages make this a widely used product all around the world. In this section, its common grades and uses are listed.

A chart summarizing the benefits, applications, and grades of PMB:

Category	Details
Key Benefits of PMB	– Increased Strength – Improved Durability – Water Resistance – Weather Resilience – Crack Resistance – Temperature Stability – Waterproofing
Applications of PMB	– Road Construction – Infrastructure Projects – Roofing Solutions – Corrosion Protection
PMB Grades	PMB 120: Penetration 90-150, Softening Point ≥ 50°C, Ideal for colder climates with flexibility. PMB 70: Penetration 50-90, Softening Point ≥ 55°C, Suitable for temperate regions with balanced flexibility and stability. PMB 40: Penetration 30-50, Softening Point ≥ 60°C, Best for hotter climates with resistance to softening and rutting.

Crumb rubber modified bitumen

Crumb rubber, made from recycled tires, is commonly used to modify bitumen. It enhances the polymer modified bitumen‘s elasticity and flexibility, creating a more durable pavement that can withstand heavy traffic, temperature changes, and environmental stress.

The addition of crumb rubber improves the bitumen’s resistance to rutting and low-temperature cracking. It also provides better noise reduction, making it ideal for urban areas where traffic noise is a concern.

A key sustainability benefit of using crumb rubber in asphalt is its role in recycling discarded tires, helping to reduce landfill waste, and supporting a circular economy. These things affect polymer modified bitumen price.

Polymer Modified bitumen plant

Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) plants are specialized facilities designed to improve bitumen by incorporating polymers such as Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS), Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), and other elastomers and plastomers.

This modification enhances the bitumen’s elasticity, cohesion, and resistance to deformation, making it suitable for high-traffic roads, roofing, and waterproofing applications.

Key features of PMB plants include continuous production, allowing for efficient and uninterrupted operations. High-performance homogenizer mills ensure fine and uniform dispersion of polymers within the bitumen, leading to high-quality modified bitumen.

Additionally, modern PMB plants are equipped with automated control systems that increase operational efficiency and maintain consistency.

Why Kiapetro?

The Polymer Modified Bitumen price (PMB) is influenced by global economic trends. During periods of economic growth, the demand for infrastructure projects increases, driving up the demand for PMB and resulting in higher prices.

At Kiapetro, we provide high-quality Polymer Modified Bitumen with competitive pricing and flexible payment options. Our products, including various grades of PMB, adhere to international standards, ensuring consistent performance and reliability.

We prioritize timely delivery and offer tailored solutions for both one-time and recurring orders, meeting the unique needs of our clients.

FAQ

1. How is PMB different from regular bitumen?

PMB is more flexible, adhesive, and durable than regular bitumen.

2. What types of polymers are used in PMB?

Polymers include SBS, EVA, and APP, each with distinct benefits.

3. How long does PMB last?

PMB has a service life of 15 to 30 years, outlasting standard bitumen.