Rheological characterization of bitumen modified with waste nitrile rubber (NBR)

This paper presents the results of a laboratory experimental study which evaluates the characteristics of modified road bitumen with waste nitrile rubber (NBR) from shoe sole at high in service temperature. After a characterization of waste nitrile rubber, different blends were processed by varying the waste NBR content and time mixing. The characteristics associated with the manufacture namely viscosity at 135 degrees C and storage stability were assessed. The rheological characteristics were measured by standard tests such as dynamic mechanical methods using dynamic shear rheometer (DSR). The measurements show a good workability characteristic for all samples tested and an improvement of the rheological characteristics as a shear, storage modulus, tans and rutting resistance criterion at high in service temperature especially for the sample with higher content in waste NBR which represent an interesting result from an environmental point of view. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.