Rubber granulate production: This is the initial phase where scrap tires are mechanically ground into fine particles, creating rubber granulate. The size of these particles is usually between 0.6 and 0.8 mm.
Pre-mix: The rubber granulate is mixed with hot bitumen, usually at temperatures around 180 °C. The high temperature is necessary for the rubber particles to swell and absorb the bitumen.
Digestion phase: The mixture is kept at high temperature for a period of time, the digestion or reaction time. This period can vary between 1 and 2 hours and allows the rubber granulate to be fully absorbed into the bitumen. During this process, the rubber particles swell, soften and partially dissolve, creating a thicker, more viscous material.
Final mix: After the digestion phase, the mixture is thoroughly stirred to ensure that the rubber granulate is evenly distributed throughout the bitumen. This can be achieved by using high-speed shear mills.
Filtration and Storage: The CRMB is filtered to remove any large, undissolved rubber particles and then stored at high temperatures to prevent separation prior to use.
Use in Asphalt Mixes: The finished CRMB product is mixed with aggregates (rocks, sand, etc.) to make the asphalt mix used for paving.
Rubber crumb modified bitumen (CRMB) is known for its improved durability compared to conventional bitumen, making it an excellent choice for road construction, especially in regions with extreme weather conditions or high traffic volumes. This improved durability is due to several unique properties of CRMB:
Improved elasticity: The incorporation of rubber crumb gives CRMB superior elasticity. This allows it to better accommodate contraction and expansion caused by temperature fluctuations and reduces the likelihood of cracking and rutting.
Increased deformation resistance: High temperatures and heavy traffic can cause road surfaces to deform and form ruts. CRMB's increased rutting resistance contributes to its superior durability as it can withstand deformation under these conditions.
Superior aging properties: CRMB has improved aging properties. The rubber crumb slows the oxidation process of the bitumen, which helps prevent brittleness and maintain the flexibility of the pavement over time.
Water Damage Resistance: The rubber granules in CRMB create a denser, more flexible binder-aggregate matrix that improves resistance to water damage and delamination, thus extending the life of the pavement.
Fatigue Resistance: CRMB's improved elasticity also improves its resistance to fatigue cracking, a common type of damage in asphalt pavements subjected to repeated loading.
The performance of rubber crumb modified bitumen (CRMB), or rubberized asphalt, far exceeds conventional bitumen in several key areas. Its unique properties make it a preferred material for road construction projects, providing improved functionality under a variety of conditions:
Elasticity: The incorporation of rubber particles gives CRMB greater elasticity. This elasticity allows it to recover after deformation from heavy traffic or temperature fluctuations, reducing the likelihood of permanent deformation or rutting.
Crack resistance: CRMB's improved flexibility reduces its susceptibility to both low temperature cracking (caused by cold weather contraction) and fatigue cracking (caused by repeated traffic loads).
Thermal stability: CRMB retains its physical properties over a wider temperature range than conventional bitumen. This makes it suitable for regions with extreme temperatures and it is less likely to become excessively soft at high temperatures or brittle at low temperatures.
Ruttling resistance: Under heavy traffic conditions or high temperatures, conventional bitumen can form ruts or grooves. CRMB offers greater resistance to this type of road damage, improving road safety and longevity.
Reduced noise pollution: CRMB pavements have been observed to reduce tire-to-road noise, making them an attractive solution for urban areas or highways near residential areas.
Increased skid resistance: Asphalt made from CRMB often has greater skid resistance, which can lead to improved road safety, particularly in wet conditions.
Durability: Thanks to their superior resistance to common forms of road wear and damage, CRMB pavements generally have a longer service life. This results in lower life cycle costs for road infrastructure.