Introduction: Over the last year the PrimePlex laboratory
has focused its research and development on completing fourteen years of
work dedicated to processing scrap rubber tires into highly useful polymers.
The goal is to use the PRIME (Phase Reactor Integrated
Molecular Electromagnetics) P2GTR polymer and
its variations to provide high performing, cost-effective alternatives to
existing worldwide polymer applications including asphalt modification,
waterproofing, and tire production.
Oil refining processes are ever more efficient, and downturns in asphalts
inherent capabilities will continue to diminish the road industries capacity
for providing long lasting roads. As polymer modification becomes more
widely used and understood through specifications like Performance Graded
(PG) asphalts the need will increase for creative materials to help HMA
remain the standard for highway surface construction.
Recent tests have been conducted to qualify the current abilities of the
P2GTR polymer as it applies to HMA modified binders. A hybridized
version of this material at a 4% loading into an AC-30 base has proven to
satisfy the requirements of the PG 76-22 standard. Wear properties measured
through the Georgia Wheel Test (rutting resistance) also showed that the
P2GTR had roughly half the rutting as compared to equal, cost
equivalent loadings, of SBS rubber. Furthermore, the low temperature
flexibility results indicated that the P2GTR was imparting
characteristics only achieved by augmented loadings of an SBR modifier.
Conclusive test data on emulsions derived from these modified binder are
expected over the next few months.
As we are in the infant stages of determining the limits to this technology
we are working to deliver premier materials during the 2006 calendar year
with a target to initiate production in all U.S. regions during 2007. Please
direct inquiries to contact information listed on the bottom of this
publication.
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