The progress of humanity is linked with construction of new objects, new networks, etc. In recent years, the scale of construction reached the highest levels.
This also applies to roads. Every year the traffic load on them increases, which puts extra demands on construction materials. First, they must be strong enough. Second, they must withstand long variable loads. The third requirement is to be resistant to different weather and climatic zones. It is understood that these are not the only requirements, but they are fundamental.
Traditionally, petroleum bitumen was used as a binding material in road construction. Up to a certain point, it made for satisfactory coatings. But with the increase in traffic the service life of roads stopped responding to greater requirements.
The need to search for a fundamentally new material, capable of providing high-quality characteristics of the roads, or the improvement of existing (bitumen) characteristics was urgent. Scientists decided to go the second way, with some success.
Improving properties of road bitumen can be achieved by improving the technology of its production or by introducing special additives (modifiers). Studies have shown that improving oxidation technology of tar does not fully satisfy the requirements. But introducing additives of specific nature and in the right amount can improve and consolidate the results achieved .
Modified bitumen, unlike unmodified bitumen, has a number of positive qualities, which include improvement of heat resistance and cold resistance, as well as ensuring reliability and durability of structures.
In most cases, road bitumen characteristics are improved by introducing various kinds of polymeric materials. Apart from those, solid modifiers (mineral powder) are also added to bitumen. The latter stop the binder ruining.
For polymer bitumen modification, GlobeCore developed and manufactures the UVB-2 unit. This equipment produces the highest quality material. Roads built with modified bitumen last longer and withstand harsh weather conditions and intense traffic better.
Depending on the needs of the enterprise, UVB-2 capacity can be specified from 4 to 40 m3/h.