Abstract: Methods are provided for preparing a bitumen product having improved properties for use in asphalt road paving. In a preferred embodiment, polyphosphoric acid is added to heated bitumen and stirred for a period of time. After addition of the polyphosphoric acid, one or more sulfur-crosslinkable elastomers and one or more sulfur donor coupling agents is added to the heated bitumen and mixed. The polyphosphoric acid, sulfur-crosslinkable elastomers and sulfur donor coupling agents may also be added to separate quantities of bitumen, and the bitumens may be combined prior to use to obtain a final bitumen product having the desired characteristics.

Abstract: Bituminous asphalt binder materials which are modified by the addition of crumb rubber or ground tire rubber and a cross-linking agent are described. In addition, methods are provided for producing a modified asphalt binder containing crumb rubber or ground tire rubber and a cross-linking agent. The modified asphalt binders comprise neat asphalt, crumb rubber, one or more acids and a cross-linking agent. Optionally, the modified asphalt binder may include one or more polymer additives. The crumb rubber may be obtained from recycled truck and/or automobile tires. The addition of crumb rubber in asphalt binders can improve the consistency and properties of the asphalt binders at high and low temperatures. In particular, the modified asphalt binders of the present invention exhibit improved elastic behavior, resulting in improved performance of roads or other surfaces paved using the modified asphalt binder.

Abstract: In a first aspect, bituminous asphalt binder materials which are modified by the addition of crumb rubber or ground tire rubber are described. In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to methods of producing a modified asphalt binder containing crumb rubber or ground tire rubber. The modified asphalt binders comprise neat asphalt, crumb rubber, one or more synthetic polymers, and one or more acids. The crumb rubber may be obtained from recycled truck and/or automobile tires.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a zirconia in the form of a fine powder, to a zirconium hydroxycarbonate and to processes for their preparation. The zirconia has a chlorine content of at most 300 ppm and a sulphur content of at most 30 ppm, and is in the form of a powder constituted either by agglomerates with an average size of at most 1.5 &mgr;m that can be disintegrated into aggregates with an average size in the range 0.1 &mgr;m to 0.6 &mgr;m, or aggregates with an average size in the range 0.1 &mgr;m to 0.6 &mgr;m. The zirconium hydoxycarbonate has the same chlorine and sulphur contents and following calcining, it results in the zirconia with the characteristics defined above. The zirconia of the invention can be used to produce condensers or oxygen probes, or it can be used in preparing catalysts.

Abstract: A device for protection of a spinal column of a pilot during an ejection shock comprises an ejectable seat with a seat back having tensioners integrated therein, a rigid framework and a buttock support. To prevent concentration of the weight of the upper portion of the body on the lumbar/abdominal region, the buttock support is lowered through use of an electromagnetic arrangement retracting connection elements between the seat back and the rigid framework.