The Effect of Rubberized Materials on the Rheological Properties of Asphalt Binder

Abdulkadhem H. Nassir; Rana A. Yousif

doi:10.48084/etasr.13846

Authors

Abdulkadhem H. Nassir Department of Highway and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
Rana A. Yousif Department of Highway and Transportation Engineering, College of Engineering, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq

Volume: 15 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 28668-28673 | December 2025 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.13846

Received: 4 August 2025 | Revised: 20 August 2025 and 1 September 2025 | Accepted: 7 September 2025 | Online: 8 November 2025

Corresponding author: Rana A. Yousif

Abstract

Due to the high-performance capabilities of the asphalt mixture, Crumb Rubber (CR) and Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)-modified asphalt have been widely used to minimize the environmental impact of waste, including rubber. However, the structural workability and separation of the modified asphalt, as well as the high cost of the SBR-modified asphalt, pose serious challenges to its application. This leads to an investigation of the effects of CR and SBR additives on asphalt binders to determine their impact on the latter’s physical and rheological properties. One type of 40/50 penetration-grade asphalt binder was used with two types of additives: CR and SBR at four percentages ranging from 3% to 12%, with each percentage increasing by 3%. The rheological properties of the asphalt binder were studied to evaluate the additive effects and the extent of improvement of the modified binders with and without short- and long-term aging. Both SBR and CR can improve the asphalt properties, but they have different effects, with SBR being more compatible with asphalt than CR. SBR, especially in hot-mix asphalt, improves the rutting resistance, while CR, which is derived from recycled tires, offers environmental and economic benefits, but it enhances the rutting resistance to a lesser extent.

Keywords:

asphalt, rubber, crumb rubber, SBR modified asphalt, rheological properties

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