The research focuses on the assessment of the potential use of microwave radiation as alternative heating method for reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in hot mix asphalt (HMA) production. Recent studies on the use of microwave radiation in road engineering mostly focused on the cracked asphalt pavement. In the study, microwave heating performance was assessed based on the physical and mechanical characteristics of HMA with different RAP contents containing various amount of moisture. Results were compared to the HMA consisting of high amount of RAP containing Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene (SBS) polymer modified binder. The test results confirmed the possibility of microwaves utilization in order to heat the HMA without adversely affecting its basic properties. The research also shows the possibility of heating RAP in the process of HMA production, especially if the RAP moisture level is above 3%. In addition, the tests on HMA did not reveal any negative impact of microwave heating in the case of using wet RAP for the production of HMA. The susceptibility of the SBS polymer to microwave radiation was indicated by comparing the behavior of the two HMA types under its influence. HMA containing modified bitumen appears to achieve higher temperatures than HMA with unmodified bitumen after the same time of microwave heating.

Artykuł przedstawia wyniki badań właściwości mieszanek mineralno-asfaltowych wyprodukowanych z dwóch rodzajów destruktu, zawierających asfalt modyfikowany oraz wysokomodyfikowany. Oba rodzaje destruktu pozyskano w warunkach rzeczywistych, a wyprodukowane z nich mieszanki nie zawierały dodatku środków odmładzających. Mieszanki doprowadzono do temperatury zagęszczenia wg wymagań krajowych, a tak- że poddano dodatkowym procesom starzenia w tym w temperaturze przekraczającej temperaturę degradacji obecnego w ich strukturze polimeru SBS (200°C). Wyniki badań zawartości wolnych przestrzeni oraz odporności na działanie wody i mrozu ITSR wykonanych po kondycjonowaniu w temperaturze zagęszczenia zgodnej z wymaganiami krajowymi wykazały korzystniejsze właściwości mieszanki zawierającej destrukt z asfaltem wysokomodyfikowanym (wartości ITSR w zakresie 87-90%) w porównaniu do mieszanki zawierającej destrukt z asfaltem modyfikowanym. Kondycjonowanie w 200°C ujawniło znaczące różnice w zachowaniu mieszanek. Mieszanka zawierająca asfalt modyfikowany umożliwiała rozkładanie i zagęszczanie, podczas gdy mieszanka zawierająca asfalt wysokomodyfikowany utraciła urabialność oraz możliwość zagęszczenia, uniemożliwiając uzyskanie próbek do badań.

This paper presents a comprehensive review of bituminous binder modification using Styrene–Butadiene–Styrene (SBS) copolymer. Bitumen is one of the most widely used binder types in road engineering, and its modification has been extensively studied to enhance performance characteristics. The review outlines the historical development of bitumen modification, discusses binder structural models, and examines the influence of SBS on binder properties. The review focuses on ageing process of Polymer-Modified Bitumen (PMB) and Highly Modified Bitumen (HiMA). The complexity of binder’s origin, polymer structure, ageing factors and the presence of cross-linking agents or other compounds creates significant challenges in predicting binder performance after technological and exploitation ageing. This uncertainty directly affects the assessment of long-term durability and recycling potential. Therefore, it is relevant to incorporate a broader range of ageing factors into standardized laboratory testing procedures to develop effective rejuvenation strategies for SBS-modified PMBs.

The research focuses on the analysis of potential use of microwave radiation as alternative Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) heating method. Material characteristics and the microwave heating possibility for the production of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) were verified. The research focused on testing HMA with different content of RAP and RAP of different moisture containing unmodified bitumen and modified bitumen with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) polymer. Tests for density, bulk density, air void content and the Indirect Tensile Strength were carried out. The test results confirmed the possibility of using microwaves to heat the HMA without adversely affecting its basic properties. The research also shows the possibility of heating the RAP in the process of HMA production, especially with the RAP of a moisture content above 3%. In addition, the tests of HMA did not reveal any negative impact of microwave heating in the case of using moist RAP for the production of HMA. The susceptibility of the SBS polymer to microwave radiation was indicated by comparing the behavior of the two HMA types under its influence. HMA containing modified bitumen appears to achieve higher temperatures than HMA with unmodified bitumen after the same time of microwave heating.