Polymer as an alternative to asphalt and concrete roads
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Polymer as an alternative
Polymer technology (advances in chemistry which allow us to make long strings of molecules) has gradually entered the paving industry, as it has into many other areas. The first to cross into the paving industry were companies which provided dispersible polymer for dust control.
How does polymer address the strength problem?
A good polymer will bond just like asphalt. Just like with asphalt sourcing for good aggregate will make your road as strong as the rock you are bonding with the polymer. Some projects use crushed rock to gain incredible bond and concrete surface strength while maintaining elasticity (not brittle) making polymer alone have greater strength and durability.
Elasticity
Polymer molecules are long, allowing a great level of elasticity without compromising road strength. Polymer will remain elastic for many, many years after asphalt starts to crack.
Heat Island Effect
The dark color of asphalt is due to the fact that is is 80% carbon. Dark absorbs heat instead of reflecting it. Polymer when applied looks like milk. After it cures (24-48 hours) it becomes transparent. Your road will take the color of your aggregate rock. Use red rock for a red road, and white rock for a white road. Go to town with this idea, make a rainbow road, use rock color for markers, and with a little maintenance it will stay that way for 20 years!
Polymer 101 - what you need to know before sourcing paving polymer
There are many types of polymer. The ones approved for soil application cannot be toxic. You recognize these because they are "water soluble". That is the Achilles' Heel of the polymer industry. Hydrophobicity (resistance to the effects of weathering by water, rain) is an area where every vendor claims stellar results. Since the industry is new there are no standards to comply with, so consequently everyone claims their product is great. However, most of these products have been designed for dust control, so they create a temporary crust only.
Main issue to remember - lack of wet bonding strength
Lack of awareness and lack of understanding (lack of education) in the “polymer on the dirt” industry is an issue that needs to be addressed. The fact is that nearly all of the polymer soil stabilization companies will accept, market, sell and use any and every water-based polymer that they can obtain at low cost regardless of the quality or consistency of the polymer. Despite what these companies may say or portray, the quality control is non-existent in the industry. To remember: the biggest single problem with the vast majority of polymers is high water absorption and/or lack of wet bonding strength.
What are the recommended tests for road surface polymer?
The polymer soil stabilization industry must get film strength testing wet and dry as well as bond strength testing wet and dry to be written into the specifications. The industry also needs to make the end consumer and the spec writers understand the importance of the polymer hydrophobicity standards and polymer wet strength.
All water-based latex polymers have some inherent limitations but some have more limitations than others. As a consumer or client you must incorporate proper testing into your requirements, forcing out all but the vendors of product which makes the cut!
Say that in English please!
When you want to paint your living room, you will use INTERIOR paint (vinyl and copolymer blends of vinyl). When you want to paint your car, you will use EXTERIOR paint (acrylic). Likewise, when you choose a polymer for soil stabilization (an aggregate bonding agent, like asphalt) you would want to use exterior grade, a superior material that was designed to resist the elements, and won't wash away with rain. So you must always choose 100% ACRYLIC.
How can I tell what I'm looking at?
An easy way to determine polymer quality and type is by reviewing the respective product's MSDS. An MSDS that shows a wide range of pH will be inconsistent, will likely be a vinyl copolymer blend, and if the pH is below 7 it will likely be all vinyl. An MSDS that has a range for percent solids will be inconsistent, and so will be your road.
When long-term stabilization is the goal, it is important to check the MSDSs of each potential product to ensure that one is using a product that can stand up to the required task for the time frame necessary with the least possibility of requiring reapplication.
Where to buy the correct polymer for road paving applications?
PolymerPaving.com markets accessory products that enhance the already good characteristics of the DirtGlue polymer exponentially. These accessory products allow DGp to cure faster, to be applied at lower temperatures, to tolerate high plasticity soils such a clays and silts much better, and to enhance overall bond strength. This is the only polymer soil stabilization company that has this new and superior technology.
Additional details are available from projects@polymerpaving.com |
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Author Resource:-
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-103/pdfs/2003-103f.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-103/pdfs/2003-103f.pdf
http://vtrc.virginiadot.org/rsb/RSB4.pdf
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By :
Mark Wando
Submitted
2010-10-30 20:12:17 |
Article From Article Mayhem
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