Abstract: Disclosed herein are linear block copolymers of formula A-B-A? or A-B*B-A?, wherein blocks A and A? are polystyrene blocks, block B is a poly(conjugated diene) block and * is a coupling agent having a vinyl content of from 10-60 mol %. The block copolymers have a polystyrene content of from 20-35 wt. %, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer, and a molecular weight of from 200,000-300,000 g/mol. The block copolymers can be used with a wide variety of asphalt grades, and are valuable for producing homogeneous polymer modified asphalt compositions having an effective combination of performance properties, such as acceptable viscosity, good elastic response to an applied stress, and a low non-recoverable creep compliance. The combination of vinyl content and polymerization technology allows a high solution concentration during polymerization without excessive processing viscosity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are linear block copolymers of formula A-B-A? or A-B*B-A?, wherein blocks A and A? are polystyrene blocks, block B is a poly(conjugated diene) block and * is a coupling agent having a vinyl content of from 10-60 mol %. The block copolymers have a polystyrene content of from 20-35 wt. %, relative to the overall weight of the block copolymer, and a molecular weight of from 200,000-300,000 g/mol. The block copolymers can be used with a wide variety of asphalt grades, and are valuable for producing homogeneous polymer modified asphalt compositions having an effective combination of performance properties, such as acceptable viscosity, good elastic response to an applied stress, and a low non-recoverable creep compliance. The combination of vinyl content and polymerization technology allows a high solution concentration during polymerization without excessive processing viscosity.

Abstract: A method of forming a paving composition using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and/or reclaimed asphalt shingle (RAS) is provided. The method comprises: a) providing a rejuvenated asphalt binder consisting essentially of bitumen, a block copolymer and a bio-oil, wherein the rejuvenated asphalt binder has a rotational viscosity at 135° C. equal to or less than 1000 centipoise, an original G*/sin ? at 64° C. equal to or greater than 1 kPa where G* is the complex shear modulus and ? is the phase angle; a G*/sin ? at 64° C. equal to or greater than 2.2 kPa after aging in a Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO); b) providing a virgin asphalt; c) heating the virgin asphalt to 160-200° C.; d) providing a RAP and/or RAS; and e) mixing the heated virgin asphalt, RAP/RAS, and the rejuvenated asphalt binder under conditions suitable to form the paving composition.

Abstract: A coupled block copolymer composition with a combination of high viscosity at manufacturing, finishing and handling conditions, low viscosity at asphalt blending conditions and suitable viscosity stability is provided for use in asphalt compositions. The composition comprises: (i) a diblock copolymer, (ii) at least a linear triblock copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 3.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and (iii) at least a multiarm coupled block copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 9.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and mixtures thereof. The block copolymer composition is characterized as having a melt viscosity at 110° C. or less of greater than 2.0E7 Poise and a coupling efficiency after 24 hours at 180° C. is less than 25%.

Abstract: A coupled block copolymer composition with a combination of high viscosity at manufacturing, finishing and handling conditions, low viscosity at asphalt blending conditions and suitable viscosity stability is provided for use in asphalt compositions. The composition comprises: (i) a diblock copolymer, (ii) at least a linear triblock copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 3.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and (iii) at least a multiarm coupled block copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 9.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and mixtures thereof. The block copolymer composition is characterized as having a melt viscosity at 110° C. or less of greater than 2.0E7 Poise and a coupling efficiency after 24 hours at 180° C. is less than 25%.

Abstract: A method of forming a paving composition using reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and/or reclaimed asphalt shingle (RAS) is provided. The method comprises: a) providing a rejuvenated asphalt binder consisting essentially of bitumen, a block copolymer and a bio-oil, wherein the rejuvenated asphalt binder has a rotational viscosity at 135° C. equal to or less than 1000 centipoise, an original G*/sin ? at 64° C. equal to or greater than 1 kPa where G* is the complex shear modulus and ? is the phase angle; a G*/sin ? at 64° C. equal to or greater than 2.2 kPa after aging in a Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO); b) providing a virgin asphalt; c) heating the virgin asphalt to 160-200° C.; d) providing a RAP and/or RAS; and e) mixing the heated virgin asphalt, RAP/RAS, and the rejuvenated asphalt binder under conditions suitable to form the paving composition.

Abstract: The present invention is an asphalt rejuvenator made from a specific styrenic block copolymer, bio-based oil or a bio-based oil blend, and an antioxidant system. The bio-based oil or a bio-based oil blend has a flash point of >230° C., and the asphalt rejuvenator has a maximum viscosity of <2000 cP at 180° C. when measured at 6.8/seconds shear rate. An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pavement composition of RAP and/or RAS, asphalt rejuvenator, and virgin asphalt with and without a crosslinker. Lastly, the invention includes a method of making an asphalt rejuvenator composition referred to above, and blending it with RAP and fresh asphalt. An emulsion is also described and claimed comprising asphalt rejuvenator, water and an emulsifier.

Abstract: The present invention is an asphalt rejuvenator made from a specific styrenic block copolymer, bio-based oil or a bio-based oil blend, and an antioxidant system. The bio-based oil or a bio-based oil blend has a flash point of >230 ° C., and the asphalt rejuvenator has a maximum viscosity of <2000 cP at 180° C. when measured at 6.8/seconds shear rate. An alternate embodiment of the present invention is a pavement composition of RAP and/or RAS, asphalt rejuvenator, and virgin asphalt with and without a crosslinker. Lastly, the invention includes a method of making an asphalt rejuvenator composition referred to above, and blending it with RAP and fresh asphalt. An emulsion is also described and claimed comprising asphalt rejuvenator, water and an emulsifier.