The Effect of Selected Polymers on Mechanical Properties of Bitumen

The effe.t of the addition of sele.ted polymers polyethene, gum arabic. and black butt gum nut) on some me.hani.al properties penetration, viscosity, ductility, flash and fire point) of cituminous mix was investigated! The challenges fa.ing ourconstru.ted road in.lude; inadequate mix composition, low resistan.e to wear and poor surface finish! additives, waste polyethene pure water sachets), gum arabi. and extract from black butt gum nut wereadded to 200 g fresh 8itumen grade 80/100 in per.entages of 10% 15,20,25% and 30% by weight. From the results, it shows that,for penetration; polyethene was the least with penetration depth of53.7at30%For viscosity, gum arabic. was the highest with viscosity time748secs at 30%followed by polyethene with viscosity time 697 secs at 30% the ductility shows that black butt gum nut oil was the best with ductiBlity with 97cm) elongation at 30%, followed 8y polyethene whi.h has acceptable values from 10%-20%the flash point shows that gum arabic has the list value of 248c at 30% followed by polyethene with 253c at30% The Ere point, polyethene was the least with 257c at 30%in conclusion, it is found that polyethene modified bitumen has the 8est result of this experiment the addition of polyethene and gum arabic makes themodified bitumen harder and more .onsistent! In ductility test, the result shows that du.tility de.reases with in.reasing polyethene and gum! using polyethene-modified binders also contribute to the recirculation of polyethene waste, as well as to the prote.tion of the environment!