Post-consumer scrap rubber offers alternative to oil-derived material in asphalt

ERJ staff report (DS)

Atlanta, Georgia -- The US-based National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) has announced the results of a study evaluating the role of ground tyre rubber powder in asphalt mixture performance.

The study indicates that the asphalt manufacturing process, whether cryogenic or ambient, does not impact the performance of the rubber material or, ultimately, the asphalt.

"We are optimistic that the study findings will accelerate the use of sustainable material in highway construction," said Richard Willis, NCAT's assistant research professor. "By increasing the use of ground tyre rubber, asphalt producers will benefit from price stability as compared to more volatile oil prices which impact the cost of traditional, oil-based polymers. Importantly, ground tyre rubber produced cryogenically or ambiently provides high performance and cost benefits in asphalt."

Rubber particulate modification of binders has been performing in the market for over 30 years in various parts of the country, and this research will support the understanding of how to use tyre rubber to make performance graded asphalt. The study's findings, along with phase two work with asphalt mixtures and slight modifications to the Performance Grade specifications, will allow states the means to capture the high performance characteristics of tyre rubber in asphalt systems.

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Press release from NCAT