Technical Report
January 2024
1. INTRODUCTION
Flexible pavements with bituminous surfacing are widely used in India. The high traffic intensity in
terms of commercial vehicles, overloading of trucks and significant variations in daily and seasonal
temperature of the pavement have been responsible for early development of distress like rutting,
cracking, bleeding, shoving and potholing of bituminous surfacing. In addition, the bituminous
surface tends to become soft in summer and brittle in winter. Under these conditions, bituminous
pavement constructed using conventional paving bitumen is not able to cope up with the present
traffic requirements.
Studies have revealed that the properties of bitumen and bituminous mixes can be
improved/modified with the incorporation of certain additives or blend of additives. These additives
are called "Modifiers" and the bitumen premixed with these modifiers is known as "Modified
Bitumen". The use of modified bitumen in construction/maintenance of bituminous roads
significantly improve the pavement performance and is cost effective, when life-cycle cost is taken
into consideration.
2. MODIFIED BITUMEN
The properties of bitumen and bituminous mixes can be improved / modified with the incorporation
of Elastomeric & Plastomeric polymers, Crumb rubber (obtained from scrap tyres) or natural rubber
(latex).
The bitumen premixed with polymers is known as the Polymer Modified Bitumen.
The bitumen premixed with crumb rubber is known as the Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen.
The bitumen premixed with natural rubber is known as the Natural Rubber Modified Bitumen.
IS15462:2019 and IS17079:2019 classify modified binders into three broad categories:
A. Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB)
B. Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB)
C. Natural rubber modified bitumen (NRMB)
3. GRADE OF MODIFIED BITUMEN
A. Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB)
The Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) shall be classified in five grades as given below
a. Grade PMB 64-10, having average maximum pavement temperature < 64°C and minimum
pavement temperature > (-10) °C;
b. Grade PMB 70-10, having average maximum pavement temperature < 70°C and minimum
pavement temperature > (-10) °C;
c. Grade PMB 76-10, having average maximum pavement temperature < 76°C and minimum
pavement temperature > (-10) °C;
d. Grade PMB 82-10, having average maximum pavement temperature < 82°C and minimum
pavement temperature > (-10) °C;
e. Grade PMB 76-22, having average maximum pavement temperature < 76°C and minimum
pavement temperature > (-22) °C;
B. Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB)
The Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen (CRMB) shall be classified in two grades as given below
a. CRMB 55 ― CRMB having softening point value 55°C, Min.
b. CRMB 60 ― CRMB having softening point value 60°C, Min.
C. Natural Rubber Modified Bitumen (NRMB)
The Natural Rubber Modified Bitumen (NRMB) shall be classified in two grades as given below
a. NRMB 70 ― NRMB having penetration value between 50 to 90.
b. NRMB 40 ― NRMB having penetration value between 30 to 50.
4. CRUMB RUBBER MODIFIED BITUMEN (CRMB)
CRMB is manufactured by adding graded crumbed rubber, obtained from ground truck and bus radial
tyre, to hot bitumen which contains a quantity of heavy extender oil.
CRMB is environmentally friendly due to its ability to reduce disposed tyre waste which is its main
component.
5. ADVANTAGES OF CRUMB RUBBER MODIFIED BITUMEN
The advantages of CRMB can include one or more of the following for road works:
• Lower susceptibility to temperature variations
• Higher resistance to deformation at high pavement temperature
• Delay of cracking and reflective cracking
• Better age resistance properties
• Better adhesion between aggregates and binder
• Higher fatigue life of mixes
• Overall improved performance
6. GENERAL REQUIREMENT OF CRUMB RUBBER MODIFIERS (CRM)
CRM should have the following properties:
Compatibility with bitumen
Resist degradation at mixing temperature
Capable of being processed by conventional mixing and laying machinery
Produce required coating viscosity at application temperature
Maintain premium properties during storage, application, and in-service
Homogeneity is very important for desired performance of rubber modified binders and must be
ensured by agitation/circulation before application of the product.
7. QUALITY ASSURANCE OF CRUMB RUBBER MODIFIERS (CRM)
CRM should have the following properties:
Particle size of Fine Crumb Rubber through 30Mesh 92 % Min.
Volatile Matter (Moisture Content) 1 % Max.
Ash Content 8 % Max.
Toluene Insoluble 65 % Max.
Type of Rubber Isoprene
