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Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt on HDPE and Synthetic Rubber Polymer Composites
Stella Junus, Ilyas Renreng, Muhammad Syahid, Azwar Hayat
Abstract
Road construction is an economic asset owned by the public so that the level of service and condition needs
to be conditioned. Now that road infrastructure is growing continuously along with economic growth and the
increase in volume, weight and number of vehicles, it is necessary to apply hot mix asphalt pavement
methods to improve and maintain asphalt quality performance. Hot mix asphalt is made with the addition of
a combination of asphalt and natural materials such as agreegat. The limitation of raw materials such as
agreegat is done to add and performance of the main filer so as to improve several Marshall
function values including stability, flow, density, VIM, VFA, and VMA indicators. The addition of
pavement using cheap and easily available materials, namely HDPE polymers and synthetic rubber
vehicle waste that affect the quality of asphalt on temperature parameters ( 170 0 C, 200 0 C, and 230 0
C) and material weight ratios of 4%, 5%, and 6% using the Marshall method with specimens based
on international standards American Standard Testing Material (ASTM). Based on Marshall testing
indicators, temperature parameters and material composition ratios, the optimum levels of hot mix
asphalt with synthetic rubber were obtained at a temperature of 200 0 C; ratio of 4% with a density
of 2.26 gr/cm³; Void Filled with Aspalt (VMA) 15.70%; Void in the mix (VIM) 3.05%; Void filled of
Bitumen (VFB/VFA) 80.60%; Flow 3.54 mm and stability 2288.60 kg. while the combination of hot
mix asphalt with HDPE plastic optimum levels at 200% temperature with a material weight ratio of
5% was obtained with a density of 2.26 gr / cm³; Void Filled with Aspalt (VMA) 15.59%; Void in
the mix (VIM) 3.60%; Void filled of Bitumen (VFB / VFA) 76.88%; Flow 2.99 mm and stability
2409.60 kg. The optimum level with a combination of hot mix asphalt by adding HDPE and
synthetic rubber was obtained at 175% with a density of 2.25 gr/cm³; Void Filled with Asphalt
(VMA) 15.77%; Void in the mix (VIM) 3.04%; Void filled of Bitumen (VFB/VFA) 80.74%; Flow
3.92 mm and stability 2316.50 kg.
Keywords: Hot Mix Asphalt; Marshall Test; HDPE; Synthetic Rubber
1. Introduction
The challenges that the world is now facing are related to the resilience of road infrastructure to the
level of performance it will receive under increasing traffic vehicle loads and the state of good repair of the
infrastructure. [1]. Based on data from the National Statistics Agency (BPS), it is obtained that around two
hundred and eighteen million eight hundred and sixty-eight kilometres (218,868 KM) of roads are still with a
type of non-HMA, this of course not only requires a long processing time, but the availability of materials in
each region. [2]. Now the use of HMA is improved performance quality by using the addition of polymer
modification made by mixing solid asphalt. Asphalt polymer modification provides the advantage of being
able to minimise the vulnerability of asphalt at high and low temperatures which results in pavement failure,
such as fatigue and cracking [3]. [3].
The incorporation of polymers into bitumen improves the product quality by between 60 and 100%,
but has disadvantages such as poor compatibility, high viscosity during processing and cost inefficiency. [3],
[4]. The use of polymer bitumen mixtures can improve better resistance to deformation so that road
construction is more durable and can reduce road repairs. The use of plastic polymer materials is a method
that can streamline the recycling of asphalt materials to reduce environmental pollution. [5], [6]. Numerous
studies have attempted to evaluate the benefits of polymer modification on pavement performance, and
binder specifications are still being developed. Naskar, M et al 2010 [7] said that polymers are effective in
various fields to modify the properties and characteristics of asphalt materials for road construction
pavements. A common method to improve the quality indicators of asphalt binder materials for asphalt
mixtures is by mixing plastic and rubber polymers. Researcher Suroso, Tjitjik Wasiah, 2018 [8] conducted a
study on the addition of LDPE type plastic polymer material to asphalt mixtures using two processes, namely
wet and dry methods in Marshall tests, from their results they said the results of Marshall characteristics,
Dynamic Stability and Resilient Modulus were better dry process than wet process. The use of natural rubber
substitute material is able to absorb the oil (malten) in the asphalt itself so that it becomes supple, but the
structure of natural rubber also has disadvantages including temperature, where if the temperature in the
mixing process is too hot it will cause degradation of the quality of natural rubber as the main function.
Mulyani, Sri and Hamdani, Dani 2020 [9] confirmed in his research that crumb rubber or chopped rubber
used as an additive to the best asphalt binder is one that has a composition consisting of natural rubber and
synthetic rubber, with a high carbon content of sixty point fourteen percent (60.14%), polymer content of
twenty-five point forty-two percent (25.42%), plasticiser content of four point nine percent (4.95%), small
dust content of seven point fifty-seven percent (7.57%), and sulphur content of one point sixty-four percent
(1.64%), while the rest are other materials that are not tested.
Along with the development of technology and some material structures, some material modification
compositions are carried out to enrich the durability, strength and efficiency of the use of binder or auxiliary
materials in hot mix asphalt structures. Several researchers have conducted studies on the performance of
asphalt pavement performance by mixing plastic polymers. Prastanto, Henry 2018 [10] studied in his study
the addition between natural rubber latex and chemical latex from the results obtained that natural rubber
asphalt is better than addictive rubber asphalt. Ahmad, Mustaq et al 2019 [11] from the results of his research
shows that the addition of crumb rubber and bakelite material is significantly able to improve the properties
of asphalt mixtures with better marshall stability strength and density so that the resulting strength and
stiffness are higher. Furthermore developed by researchers Alemu G, Mekuria et al, 2023 [12] conducted an
experimental asphalt binder and asphalt mixture using a mixture of crumb rubber and polyethylene
terephthalate plastic polymer, they concluded that the normal and effective mixture ratio in combination with
the addition of 10% crumb rubber and 2% polyethylene terephthalate plastic.
Until now, there have been many researchers who have combined asphalt mixtures with plastic
materials, but no work literature has been found that combines HDPE plastic polymers and synthetic rubber
with asphalt, so researchers conducted experimental studies by combining these materials with temperature
parameters and weight percentage ratios.
2. Theory
2.1 Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
According to various sources, hotmix asphalt is commonly defined as a type of asphalt made from a
mixture of various materials. The materials used are Fine Aggregate (stone ash), Filler, and Coarse
Aggregate (split stone or screening stone). All of these materials are then mixed and given a hot binder
with high heat. In order for all the materials to mix well, the mixing of all the materials must be
regulated by technical specifications.
2.2 Marshall Testing
The basic principle of the Marshall method is the examination of stability and flow, as well as the
density and pore analysis of the formed solid mix. Solid asphalt concrete test specimens or briquettes
are formed from a specific gradation of mixed aggregates, according to the mix specification. The
Marshall method was developed for the design of well-graded asphalt concrete mixtures.
3. Materials and methods
3.1 Material
The experimental materials and tools that will be used are:
• Waste polymer (plastic) type High Density polyethylene (HDP)
• Waste rubber (rubber) type used tyres
• Aggregates
• Bulk asphalt pen.60/70
3.2 Test Equipment
• Specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate
• Specific gravity and absorbtion of fine aggregate
• Los Angeles Abration test set
• Sieve (3/4", ½", 3/8", #4, #8, #16, #30, #50, #100, #200)
• Propotional caliver device
• Softening point test set
• Hand operated laboratory penetration test set
• Specific gravity of semi solid bituminous materials
• Compaction test
• Marshall test
3.3 Parameter Selection
To observe the quality indicators of the hot mix asphalt (HMA) produced, the following parameters were
used from the minimum, middle and maximum value scales (Table. 1).
Table 1. Level of process parameters
Temperature (°C)
Parameters
Low Medium High
Hot Mix Asphalt + HDPE
Hot Mix Asphalt + Synthetic Rubber 175 200 230
Hot Mix Asphalt + HDPE + Synthetic Rubber
4. Result and Discussion
4.1 Hot Mix Asphalt Pure
The asphalt used as a binder in planning the design of the asphalt mixture formula must be right at the
optimum level. In determining the optimum asphalt content value, it is done by making a diagram based on
the Marshall parameters that have been obtained from the research results, namely the density, stability,
Flow, VIM, VMA, and VFB values. Determine the middle value of the range of asphalt content that qualifies
for the AC-WC mix type. The KAO value obtained in this study is 5.40%.
Figure 1. Determination of Optimum 5.40% Asphalt (KAO)
Table 2. Marshall test results at KAO 5.40%
No. Parameters Units Specification Value
1 Density gr/cc - 2.25
2 Void In Mix % 3-5 3.92
3 Void Mineral Aggregate % 15 15.80
4 Void Fillet Asphalt % min. 65 75.18
5 Stability kg 900 1986.32
6 Flow mm 2-4 3.07
7 MQ kg/mm - 648.28
4.2 Hot Mix Asphalt with HDPE
Figure 2. Determination optimum of 5.00% HDPE at temperature 200°C
Table 3. Marshall test results on HDPE optimum temperature 200 Co
No. Parameters Units Specification Value
1 Density gr/cc - 2.26
2 Void In Mix % 3-5 3.60
3 Void Mineral Aggregate % 15 15.59
4 Void Fillet Asphalt % min. 65 76.88
5 Stability kg 900 2409.60
6 Flow mm 2-4 2.99
Based on the test results that have been carried out for the HMA mixture with HDPE type polymer,
the density value is obtained with a value of 2.66 gr / cc, the Marshall stability value is at a value
of 2409.60 kg, while the flow value is obtained at 2.99 mm. This shows that the stability value is
the highest value of 900 kg for HMA without mixture. While for the flow value of the maximum
average value of standardised deformation, the value is obtained below the value of 4 which is the
maximum value of HMA without a mixture of other fillers.
4.3 Hot Mix Asphalt in combination with Synthetic rubber
Figure 3. Determination optimum of 4.00% Synthetic rubber at a temperature of 200°C.
Table 3. Marshall test results on synthetic rubber optimum temperature 200 Co
No. Parameters Units Specification Value
1 Density gr/cc - 2.26
2 Void In Mix % 3-5 3.05
3 Void Mineral Aggregate % 15 15.70
4 Void Fillet Asphalt % min. 65 80.60
5 Stability kg 900 2288.60
6 Flow mm 2-4 2.54
Similarly, for the test results that have been carried out for HMA mixtures with synthetic rubber,
the density value is obtained with a value of 2.66 gr / cc, the Marshall stability value is at a value
of 2288.60 kg, while the flow value is obtained at 2.54 mm. This shows that the stability value is
the highest value of 900 kg for HMA without mixture. while for the flow value of the maximum
average value of standardised deformation, the value is obtained below the value of 4 which is the
maximum value of HMA without a mixture of other fillers.
4.4 Hot Mix Asphalt combination of HDPE and Synthetic rubber
D
en
sit
y
V
I
M
V
M
A
V
F
A
170.00 180.00 190.00 200.00 210.00 220.00 230.00
Mixing HMA. HDPE and Synthetic Rubber (°C)
Figure 4. Determination of optimum temperature 175o C in mixing HMA with HDPE and Synthetic rubber
Table 4. Marshall test results on the combination of HMA, HDPE and Syntheti rubber optimum temperature
175 Co
No. Parameters Units Specification Value
1 Density gr/cc - 2.25
2 Void In Mix % 3-5 3.04
3 Void Mineral Aggregate % 15 15.77
4 Void Fillet Asphalt % min. 65 80.74
5 Stability kg 900 2316.50
6 Flow mm 2-4 3.92
The mixing process with the addition of HMA filler with HDPE type polymer and synthetic rubber
together is expected to be able to increase the overall performance of the HMA structure by
prioritising the durability of the service life, where the expected performance includes crack
resistance, surface load resistance and water resistance. Based on ASTM 6925 and AASHTO R30
standards related to the standard temperature of HMA when produced and used where for the
territory of Indonesia it is also regulated by the Government through SNI Ministry of Public Works
and Public Housing edition 2 of 2018 the maximum temperature of HMA mixing is 175 0 C. This is
also supported by the Marshal stability value obtained of 2316.50 kg, density 2.25 gr/cc and flow
3.92 mm.
4.5 SEM Morphology
Figure 4. SEM morphology of 5.00% HDPE at a temperature of 200°C
Figure 5. SEM morphology of 4.00% Synthetic rubber at a temperature of 200°C
Figure 6. SEM morphology of HMA combination with HDPE and Synthetic rubber
Based on the results of SEM morphology, it is found that the surface of both has a texture that is
not too smooth but looks textured. This is due to the addition of chopped HDPE and synthetic
rubber particles. This addition serves to increase surface strength in withstanding vertical loads. in
addition to increasing the performance of the surface strength of these HDPE and synthetic rubber
granules, it will become an obstacle to the entry of water into the cavity in the mixture so as to
delay damage due to standing water caused by temperature changes such as high intensity rain. the
temperature used is at the highest maximum limit to avoid clumping in the mixture as a whole due
to very different physical properties. Unlike the researcher Mubarok Z, 2020 [13] SEM
morphology results on asphalt mixtures with LDPE plastic are not well mixed so that clumping
occurs, this will reduce the performance properties of the asphalt surface.
Conclusion
This research concludes that based on the results of Marshall tests that have been carried out, it can
be fulfilled for density, flow and stability values by adding fillers in the form of HDPE type
polymers and synthetic rubber capable of increasing performance and HMA. For the performance
of the HMA mixture with HDPE type polymer with a mixture composition of 5% at a temperature
of 200o C obtained the highest Marshall stability of 2409.60 kg, density of 2.266 gr/cc and flow of
2.99 mm. As for the performance of the HMA mixture with a mixture of synthetic rubber with a
mixture composition of 5% at a temperature of 200 o C obtained a Marshal stability of 2288.60 kg, a
density of 2.266 gr/cc, a flow of 3.54 mm. with a perbesan of about 100 x with an average surface
measured appearance of 200 µm, it can be seen that the chemical bonds formed are not
homogeneous, but are able to fill the empty surface cavity and look more structured. Compared to
surfaces with no mixtures, HMA with LDPE mixtures, and using plant fibres / natural plants such as
fragrant pandanus and rice husks. this is physically much easier to crack compared to structured
surfaces.
Acknowledgment
Thank you very much to Gorontalo State University and Moslem University of Indonesia, South
Sulawesi for contributing and supporting this research article's publication.
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