Abstract:
Road infrastructure sustainability and pavement performance may be increased by using
waste materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene waste (PE waste) in polymermodified asphalt mixtures. As seen by a more pronounced rise in the softening point, which exceeds
110 ◦C with 8% PE waste, PET was found to improve the tensile strength, resistance to cracking, and
thermal stability of asphalt mixes. PE waste also increases ductility up to 4% PE waste, beyond which
the combination becomes more brittle, and dramatically decreases penetration, strengthening the
asphalt’s resistance to deformation. Additionally, bitumen treated with PE waste is more workable
than asphalt without PET, even though bitumen treated with PE waste had a viscosity of up to
4500 Pa. Complex shear modules decreased as the PE waste and PET content increased. PET, on
the other hand, increases the binder’s overall stiffness, elasticity, and tensile strength. Nevertheless,
when PET content rises, ductility steadily decreases. Previous studies concentrated on the effects of
each component separately, and this paper fills this knowledge gap by investigating the combined
effects of PET and PE waste. The results indicate that the highest compressive strength (7.5 MPa)
was obtained with 6% PE + 2% PET, while the highest tensile strength (1.40 MPa) was achieved
with a balanced mix of 4% PE waste + 4% PET. Additionally, the viscosity of asphalt is increased by
PET and PE waste, enhancing its performance at high temperatures. These findings demonstrate
how combining PET and PE waste improves the mechanical and thermal characteristics of asphalt,
providing a balance between stiffness and flexibility, a crucial feature for durable road materials
under a variety of circumstances.
