Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a binder composition and an asphalt mixture that are suitably used to prepare asphalt pavements . Background of the Invention

Road surfaces (known as pavements) are routinely constructed from asphalt mixture, which is a composite of binder and aggregate. For most pavements, the binder is bitumen, a viscous liquid or a solid consisting essentially of hydrocarbons and their derivatives.

However, in recent years synthetic binders have also been used. Synthetic binders, such as Shell's Mexphalte C ® possess similar rheological and mechanical properties to the bituminous binders typically used in road applications. The synthetic binders are typically clear, so they are readily pigmented and can be used to obtain coloured asphalt mixture. The synthetic binders can also be used in other applications, such as roofing, waterproofing or sealing applications, e.g. the synthetic binders can be used to seal the gaps between paving stones.

EP 179 510 discloses synthetic binders comprising resin, oil and, optionally, polymer. The resin is a petroleum resin or coumarone-indene resin that contains carboxylic acid, carboxylic acid anhydride or hydroxyl groups. The oil is preferably a mineral lubricating oil extract such as Bright-Stock extract, and the polymer may be a synthetic rubber such as styrene-butadiene-styrene. The use of modified resins containing carboxylic acid, carboxylic anhydride or hydroxyl groups improves the _ 9 —

ductility and adhesion properties of the binder compositions .

EP 1 466 878 discloses synthetic binders comprising resin and oil. The resin and oil are renewable raw materials of vegetable origin. The binders of EP 1 466 878 do not comprise polymer. Indeed the absence of any natural or synthetic elastomer and of any thermoplastic polymer is an essential feature of the binders of EP 1 466 878. The present inventors have sought to provide an alternative synthetic binder composition. Preferably the binder has improved adhesion properties and preferably the binder uses renewable raw materials. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention provides a binder composition comprising a resin of vegetable origin, an oil of vegetable origin and a polymer, wherein the polymer is functionalised with silane groups.

The present inventors have found that using such a functionalised polymer in a binder composition comprising a resin of vegetable origin and an oil of vegetable origin improves the adhesion properties of the binder composition.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides an asphalt mixture comprising the binder composition according to the invention and aggregate.

The binder composition and asphalt mixture of the invention are suitably used in processes for preparing road surfaces, but may also be used in other applications, e.g. in roofing, waterproofing or sealing applications.

Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and in parituclar from the appended claims .

Detailed Description of the Invention

Resins of vegetable origin are a renewable resource and are typically clear, so can be used to prepare a clear binder. The resin may be used as such, or may have been modified chemically. The term "resin of vegetable origin" in the present description is used to describe both resins as such ("natural resins") and resins that have been modified chemically ("modified resins") . The term "resin of vegetable origin" does not include synthetic resins derived from petroleum feedstocks such as polyester resins and epoxy resins. Preferably the resin is chosen from the group consisting of rosin esters, natural rosins, metal resinates, copal resins, accroid and dammar. More preferably the resin is a rosin ester. Most preferably the resin is the pentaerythitol ester of rosin.

The resin preferably has a softening point, as measured according to ISO 4625, of greater than 4O ⁰ C and less than 200 ⁰ C, more preferably of greater than 80 ⁰ C and less than 180 ⁰ C.

The oil of vegetable origin is an oil derived from a plant, that may or may not have been further modified by chemical or physical processes. Preferably the oil is derived from the plant and has not been subjected to further chemical modification. Vegetable oils are a renewable resource and are typically very clear, particularly if a refined vegetable oil is used, so can be used to prepare a clear binder. Vegetable oils can usually be transported cold (typically vegetable oils flow at ambient temperatures) and the product quality of vegetable oils is generally consistent. Preferably the oil is chosen from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, palm oil, tall oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, corn oil, linseed oil, rice bran oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, flax oil, ground nut oil, coconut oil and palm kernel oil. More preferably the oil is chosen from rapeseed oil, palm oil and tall oil. Most preferably the oil is rapeseed oil. Rapeseed oil is very clear, and has no smell. The vegetable oil may be used in a raw, used or refined form, and may have been modified chemically, e.g. by esterification.

The oil preferably has a viscosity, as measured according to EN12595 at 100 ⁰ C, of greater than 2cSt (2 x 10 ^"6 mVs) and less than 20OcSt (2 x lO ^"3 mVs) , more preferably of greater than ScSt (5 x 10 ^"s m ² /s) and less than lOOcSt (1 x 10 ^"4 mVs) .

The preferred amounts of resin and oil in the binder vary with the properties (particularly the viscosity and the softening point) of the resin and the oil. It is preferred to maximise the amount of oil because typically this is the least expensive component in the binder.

However, if the amount of oil is too high (and the amount of resin is too low) the binder composition is likely to be too soft and insufficiently viscous. If the amount of resin is too high (and the amount of oil is too low) , the cost of the binder composition is likely to be high and the binder composition is likely to be too hard and too viscous .

The amount of resin in the binder is preferably greater than 10wt% (based upon the weight of the binder} , more preferably greater than 20wt%, most preferably greater than 30wt%. The amount of resin in the binder is preferably less than 95wt% (based upon the weight of the binder}, more preferably less than 90wt%, most preferably less than 85wt%. The amount of resin in the binder is preferably in the range of greater than 20wt% to less than 95wt%, more preferably in the range of greater than 30wt% to less than 85wt%. The amount of oil in the binder is preferably greater than 3wt% (based upon the weight of the binder) , more preferably greater than 10wt%. The amount of oil in the binder is preferably less than 90wt% (based upon the weight of the binder) , more preferably less than 80wt%. The amount of oil in the binder is preferably in the range of greater than 10wt% to less than 80wt%. If the oil is a vegetable oil, the amount of resin in the binder is preferably in the range of greater than 60wt% to less than 90wt% and the amount of vegetable oil in the binder is preferably in the range of greater than 10wt% to less than 30wt%.

The polymer is functionalised with silane groups. Preferably the silane groups are grafted onto the polymer. Alternatively, the functionalised polymer may be prepared by a copolyrnerisation process wherein silane monomers and other monomers are copolymerised.

Silanes that are suitable for grafting onto polymers have the general formula RR' _n SiY ₃ ~ _n / where n is 0, 1 or 2, where R is a non-hydrolysable organic group which is capable of grafting onto the polymer, R" is a non- hydrolysable organic group incapable of grafting onto the polymer and Y is a hydrolysable organic group. Preferred R groups are vinyl, allyl, butenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclopentadienyl, methacryl, or methacryloxyalkyl (e.g. methacryloyloxypropyi) , most preferably vinyl. Preferred Y groups are alkoxy groups (e.g. methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy) , acyloxy groups (e.g. formyloxy, acetoxy, propionoxy) , oxime groups (e.g. -ON-C(CHs) ₂ or -ON- C (CeH ₅ ) ₂ , alkylamino and arylamino groups, more preferably alkoxy, most preferably rnethoxy or ethoxy. Preferably n is 0. Preferred silane compounds are vinyltrimethoxysilane and vinyltriethoxysilane.

The amount of silane grafted onto the polymer is preferably from 0.1wt% to 5wt% based upon the weight of the polymer, more preferably from 0.15wt% to 2.5wt%.

The silane may be grafted onto a polymer by a free radical reaction. The silane and a free radical initiator such as an organic peroxide, peracid, perester or peracetal are added to the polymer. Preferred free radical initiators include dicumyl peroxide, 2,5- dimethyl-2, 5-ditertbutylperoxyhexane and α, ot (ditertbutylperoxyisopropyl) benzene . Preferably from 0.01wt% to 0.5wt% of free radical initiator is added to the polymer, based upon the weight of the polymer.

Methods of polymer grafting are disclosed in WO 96/00656.

The silane-functionalised polymer is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer or plastomer. Preferably the polymer is a silane-functionalised olefinic polymer or copolymer such as silane-functionalised polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene or polystyrene, or silane- functionalised ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) . Most preferably the polymer is silane-functionalised EVA.

The amount of functionalised polymer in the binder is preferably greater than 0.1wt% (based upon the weight of the binder) , more preferably greater than lwt% and most preferably greater than 1.5wt%. The amount of functionalised polymer in the binder is preferably less than 20wt% (based upon the weight of the binder) , more preferably less than 10wt% and most preferably less than 6wt%. The amount of functionalised polymer in the binder is preferably in the range of greater than lwt% to less than 10wt%, most preferably in the range of greater than 1.5wt% to less than 6wt%. It is preferred that the amount of functionalised polymer is within these ranges because a larger amount of polymer increases expense and could lead to poor storage stability, and because a smaller amount of polymer may provide a binder with insufficient adhesion and insufficient strength.

The binder composition may comprise polymer in addition to the functionalised polymer. The binder composition may comprise a natural or synthetic rubber, such as a copolymer of styrene and a conjugated diene (e.g. butadiene or isoprene) or a homopolymer of a conjugated diene (e.g. butadiene). The binder may comprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), i.e. SVA that is not functionalised. The binder composition may comprise further additives, e.g. softening agents such as wax or penetration index boosters such as waxes, polyphosphoric acid and ethylene polymers .

The binder composition preferably comprises a clear resin and a clear oil, and is therefore preferably clear. In one embodiment of the invention, pigments are incorporated into the binder composition so that it can be used to prepared coloured surfaces. Alternatively, the binder can be used in its clear form to prepare asphalt wherein the colour of the aggregate is visible.

The binder composition may be incorporated into an aqueous emulsion, comprising the binder composition, water and one or more additives to assist in the formation and stabilisation of the emulsion. Suitable additives are known to the skilled person and may include cationic emulsifiers such as monoamines, diamines, quaternary ammonium compounds, alkoxylated amines or amidoamines; anionic emulsifiers such as fatty acids or — Q o _ —_

sulphonates; non-ionic erαulsifiers such as nonylphenolethyoxylates, ethoxylated fatty acids or ethoxylized secondary alcohol bases; or clays such as natural or processed clays and bentonites. The aqueous emulsion preferably comprises from 40 to 7Qwt% of the binder composition, from 60 to 30wt% water and from 3 to 10wt% of emulsifying agent, based upon the weight of the emulsion. The aqueous emulsion may further comprise a polymer that has been incorporated in the form of a latex (an aqueous dispersion of polymer), e.g. a latex of styrene-butadiene rubber, a latex of styrene-butadiene- styrene or a latex of polychloroprene.

Asphalts mixtures are essentially made of binder with aggregate, in particular filler, sand and stones. There are many different types of asphalts available and their characteristics can vary quite significantly. The design of asphalts for paving application is largely a matter of selecting and proportioning materials to obtain the desired properties in the finished construction. The design of the asphalt mixture is typically based on the grading of aggregates and asphalt mixtures are usually classified into dense graded, gap graded and open graded.

The asphalt mixture of the invention may fall into any of these categories. The amount of binder in the asphalt mixture of the present invention will vary depending on the application for which the asphalt is to be used. However, the asphalt mixture used in the present invention preferably comprises in the range of from 1 to 20wt% of the binder, more preferably in the range of from 2 to 10wt%, and most preferably in the range from 3 to 7wt%, based on total weight of asphalt. For a mastic asphalt, the asphalt — Q _

mixture preferably comprises from 10 to 15wt% of the binder.

The present invention further provides an asphalt pavement comprising a binder composition or asphalt mixture according to the invention, and a process for preparing an asphalt pavement using a binder composition or asphalt mixture according to the invention.

The binder composition of the invention may be prepared by heating the resin, oil and functionalised polymer, e.g. to a temperature greater than 13O ⁰ C, and mixing. Preferably the oil is heated, e.g. to about 16O ⁰ C, the resin is added gradually whilst the temperature is maintained, e.g. at about 14O ⁰ C, and then the polymer is added whilst the blend is sheared. An aqueous emulsion of the binder composition may be prepared using techniques known to the person skilled in the art, e.g those disclosed in EP 1 184 423. Preferably the binder composition is heated so that it melts, and an emulsifying solution comprising water and emulsifying agent is added to the molten binder composition. The emulsifying solution and molten binder are mixed under high shear (e.g. in a colloid mill) to form an emulsion.

The asphalt mixture of the invention may be prepared by combining a binder composition of the invention with aggregate. In one embodiment of the invention, the asphalt mixture composition is prepared in a hot mix process wherein aggregate is heated to a temperature of at least 12O ⁰ C, preferably at least 14O ⁰ C and a binder is added to the aggregate. In another embodiment of the invention, the asphalt mixture composition is prepared in a cold mix process, wherein aggregate and an aqueous emulsion of a binder are mixed at a temperature of less than 80 ⁰ C, preferably at ambient temperature. The asphalt mixture can be used to form asphalt pavement in conventional pavement-laying processes. Examples

The invention will now be described by reference to examples which are not intended to be limiting of the invention. Preparation of Binders

Three clear binders based upon resin and oil of vegetable origin were prepared. Comparative Example 1 contained no polymer and Comparative Example 2 contained conventional ethylene-vinyl acetate (Polybilt 106 from Exxon) . A binder according to the invention {Example 1) contained silane grafted ethylene-vinyl acetate (Arkema) .

The oil (rapeseed oil) was placed in a can. The oil was heated and the resin (pentaerythritol ester of rosin) was added gradually. The can was stored in an oven at 14O ⁰ C until the resin dissolved in the oil. The can was transferred onto a heating plate at 140-145 ⁰ C and agitated under low shear. For the polymer-containing blends, polymer was then added progressively over a few minutes. The blend was agitated until the polymer dissolved completely (this typically took more than one hour) . Dissolution of the polymer was assessed visually.

The composition of the clear binders is shown in table I: Table I

Adhesion Tests

Passive adhesion on four different types of stones (quartzite, flint, diorite, limestone) was measured according to the AFNOR XP T 66-043 standard. In this method, aggregates are mixed with binder (lOOg stones and 5g binder) . The mix is left for 16 hours in water in an oven at 6O ⁰ C. The adhesion is qualitatively assessed by- observing the relative surface of stones still covered by the binder at the end of the test.

Table II shows the adhesion results (% of stones covered by binder after 16 hours in water at 6O ⁰ C) for comparative examples 1 and 2, examples 1 and 2, and also for a commercially available clear binder (comparative example 3, Mexphalte C ® from Shell) . Table II

The adhesion to quartzite, flint and limestone for the binder of the invention is similar to the adhesion for the comparative examples 1 and 2. However, the adhesion to diorite for the binder of the invention is significantly improved when compared to the adhesion for the comparative examples 1 and 2, and is similar to the adhesion achieved with the petroleum product-based commercial binder of comparative example 3.