The effects of polymer modified asphalt binder incorporating with chemical warm mix additive towards water quality degradation

Abstract Naturally, asphalt binder has compacting and mixing temperatures higher than 150 °C. Both temperatures can be increased by modifying the pristine penetration grade asphalt binder with polymer. However, the warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technology contributes to lowering of these temperatures even though the possibility of environmental effect cannot be neglected. Air pollution and water contamination are two crucial environmental concerns when it comes to chemical reactions of any materials. This study was conducted to investigate the physical characteristics, thermal analysis, leaching and toxicity of polymer-modified asphalt binder (PMA, PG76) and its performance as the binding agent. Physical tests were carried out to determine the durability, quality and performance of PG76 binder. Thermal analysis via thermogravimetry analysis was carried out to observe the stability of the blending at higher temperature. The results illustrated that even though the PMA is added in combination with WMA as additives, the mixes were stable beyond their mixing and compaction temperatures. The decomposition started at temperature >360 °C and ended at temperature