Kraton Polymers Pushes SBS Modification to a New Level
HOUSTON, Texas - May 7, 2008 - Kraton Polymers LLC (Kraton), a leading global producer of engineered polymers, is at the forefront of a pioneering new solution to improve long-term pavement performance using cost-effective SBS base course modification.
The world's leading supplier of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) block copolymers for bitumen modification has developed a new and unique SBS grade which, when used to modify base course bitumen, gives substantially better performance than standard SBS grades while retaining workability of the asphalt mix.
Research conducted by Kraton in co-operation with the Road Research Laboratory at Delft University of Technology highlights the advantages full-depth SBS polymer modified pavement can bring in terms of securing improvements to the durability and lifetime of the total pavement, plus the possibility to construct thinner pavements. The resulting reduction in maintenance and materials opens up new opportunities for road owners and constructors to achieve cost reductions and minimise the environmental impact of road construction on heavily trafficked roads.
Kraton's new SBS grade allows previously unattainable high levels of polymer modification in hard bitumen. To secure a minimum life time of a pavement construction, the thickness of the base course was the main variable to accommodate the traffic loading. Consequently, heavily trafficked roads have very thick base courses to achieve the necessary stiffness, strength and flexibility to spread traffic loads and provide adequate fatigue cracking resistance over the long term.
By adding performance improvements to the asphalt binder, Kraton's new SBS enhances base course performance. This enables the use of a thinner asphalt layer without the need to invest in customised laying equipment. Standard SBS grades are unable to achieve both high levels of asphalt performance and a storage stable, workable binder.
Advanced material characterisation tests demonstrate that with the unique SBS modified hard bitumen formulation even a 150mm base course accumulates significantly less damage than a standard 250mm base course, with permanent deformation at levels four times lower than that of a standard base course.
Stephen Evans, Vice President Paving and Roofing at Kraton Polymers comments: "Cost reduction, improving pavement performance and minimising environmental impact are on-going concerns for the roads industry. Kraton's research into base course modification and the subsequent development of a unique SBS grade for hard bitumen modification presents a significant next step forward in helping the industry address these challenges. We are looking forward to exploring the potential of this concept with our customers and partners."
For more information visit Kraton at Booth 56/58/60 at the E&E Congress 2008 or contact www.kraton.com
About Kraton
Kraton is a leading global performance polymer company and is the world's largest producer of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), a family of products whose chemistry was pioneered by Kraton more than forty years ago. SBCs are highly-engineered thermoplastic elastomers, which enhance the performance of numerous products by delivering a variety of attributes, including: greater flexibility, resilience, strength, durability and processability. Kraton polymers are used in a wide range of applications including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants, lubricants, medical, packaging, automotive, paving, roofing, and footwear products. Kraton has the leading position in nearly all of its core markets and is the only producer of SBCs with global manufacturing capability. Its production facilities are located in the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Brazil, and Japan.
Kraton, the Kraton logo and design are trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.
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