Waste polyvinyl chloride-modified bitumen

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe wastes have been employed as a soft filler up to a level of 11 wt % in making bituminous products for paving applications. The PVC wastes were homogenously mixed with bitumen in the molten state. The viscoelastic properties of the bitumen blends such as storage modulus, loss modulus, and dynamic viscosity were studied and compared with those of neat bitumen. These properties were studied using an ARES-Rheometer (Rheometric Scientific, Co.) under nitrogen atmosphere. The results indicate that the incorporation of the waste PVC into bitumen enhances the dynamic mechanical moduli and viscosity of the bitumen. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.