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Sulfur Polymer to Develop Low-Carbon Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements
Mohammad Doroudgar1, Mohammadjavad Kazemi2, Shadi Saadeh1
1Department of Civil Engineering and Construction Engineering Management, California State University Long Beach, Long Beach, CA 90840, USA.
Polymers
|January 28, 2026
Summary
A novel sulfur polymer enhances reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) mixtures, improving cracking resistance and reducing environmental impact. This sustainable modifier offers a low-carbon alternative for asphalt applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Civil Engineering
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) use is limited by cracking susceptibility due to aged binder elasticity.
- Conventional polymer modifiers (e.g., styrene-butadiene styrene) are costly and carbon-intensive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a low-carbon sulfur-based ternary polymer as a modifier for asphalt mixtures containing 25% RAP.
- To assess the impact of the sulfur polymer on cracking resistance, rutting, and moisture damage under various aging conditions.
Main Methods:
- Sulfur polymer synthesized via TiO2-catalyzed inverse vulcanization with waste cooking oil and biochar.
- Hot-mix asphalt mixtures with 25% RAP were modified with the sulfur polymer.
- Accelerated aging (thermal and UV) and mechanical testing (IDEAL-CT, HWT) were performed.
Main Results:
- Modified mixtures showed improved cracking resistance (IDEAL-CT) under unaged and aged conditions.
- Rutting and moisture damage resistance (HWT) were not negatively affected.
- A simplified environmental analysis indicated an 11% reduction in global warming potential when substituting petroleum binder with the sulfur polymer.
Conclusions:
- The developed sulfur polymer system enhances the cracking resistance of RAP asphalt mixtures, even after aging.
- The modifier does not compromise rutting or moisture resistance.
- This sustainable sulfur polymer offers a viable, low-carbon alternative for asphalt modification, reducing embodied carbon.
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