Advancing durable and sustainable asphalt binder: Hybrid binders with recycled low-density polyethylene and crumb rubber
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Recycling end-of-life plastics and tyres into asphalt binders provides a sustainable pathway to reduce waste and enhance pavement performance. This study evaluates hybrid binders incorporating recycled low-density polyethylene (RLDPE) and crumb rubber (CR), compatibilised with PE-g-MA and sulphur, prepared using two shear-mixing protocols. A comprehensive testing program assessed viscosity, storage stability, linear viscoelasticity, MSCR rutting resistance, LAS-based fatigue (S-VECD), multi-LAS (MLAS) damage evolution, and stress ratio, under both PAV and UV ageing. High-shear mixing significantly improved storage stability (Δsoftening-point ≈ 3.1 °C) while lowering viscosity (≈ 0.74 Pa·s), ensuring workability. Black diagrams and MSCR confirmed promising high-temperature performance, with UV ageing further enhancing stiffness and recovery, while CR-rich formulations maintained strong elasticity after PAV ageing. Fatigue analyses demonstrated substantial gains: hybrids improved fatigue life of neat binder by up to 763% at 1% strain, with higher CR and RLDPE contents providing further benefits. MLAS revealed ageing sensitivity (PAV > UV) and highlighted differences between VECD analytical methods and failure criteria in predicting fatigue life. Stress ratio testing indicated improved tolerance to low-temperature cracking compared to neat binder, though SBS remained superior. Overall, CR/RLDPE hybrids delivered balanced, durable performance—combining enhanced rutting resistance, extended fatigue life, and acceptable workability—offering a viable sustainable solution for road infrastructure.
Language: English
Subfield: Civil and Structural Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,540
Award: G6740239087
OpenAlex ID: W7129023189