Influence of Ion Irradiated Recycled Polyethylene on Physical Properties of Bituminous Binder

In this paper, ion irradiated recycled high density polyethylene (i-HDPER) was investigated as modifier in bitumen. Ion irradiation process was applied to recycled HDPE (HDPER) in order to form strong chemical bonding between bitumen and HDPER polymers. Five samples were prepared with different i-HDPER modifier content of 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 9%. The effects of i-HDPER on the bitumen were investigated by means of morphological, chemical and physical testing program; including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy, conventional tests, rotational viscosity (RV) and dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) test. Tests results promote the using waste polymers in bitumen by means of ion irradiation process. The results also reveal that a gradually increment in i-HDPER modification leads to an increased rutting parameter which means permanent deformation in flexible pavement can be reduced by i-HDPER modification.