As populations continue to grow, so do the number of vehicles. Because of this increase in traffic volume—and an increase in traffic load—asphalt has had to change as well. Tucker Paving has nearly 30 years of experience in the paving industry, and our parent company has been around much longer, even back when some of Central Florida’s main roads were actually sandy dirt roads! Over the years we’ve seen roadways change—and had a hand in changing quite a number of them—and we’ve seen asphalt change as needed. One change we’ve seen is the addition of polymers to asphalt to help it to withstand high-traffic areas, and the benefits of polymer-modified asphalt are numerous.

Polymer-Modified Asphalt Defined

A polymer-modified asphalt is one where the asphalt has been modified through the addition of polymers—natural or synthetic substances composed of very large molecules like latexes or rubber—either through chemical or mechanical means. The polymers are added either physically during the mixing stage when the asphalt is at its warmest or through chemical reactions like vulcanization.

Benefits of Polymer-Modified Asphalt

There are many benefits to using polymer-modified asphalt, though each type of polymer-modified asphalt has its own benefits and drawbacks. Additionally, the asphalt mixture itself will also have characteristics that will either be further helped or hindered by the addition of a polymer.

Possible benefits of polymer-modified asphalt include:

  • Enhanced high-temperature performance.
  • Resistance to aging.
  • Cost-effectiveness. 
  • Improved stability.
  • Improved elasticity.
  • Higher rutting resistance.
  • High pliability at low temperatures.
  • Reduced temperature sensitivity.
  • Resistance to heat, oxidation, and UV degradation.
  • Enhanced durability and fatigue resistance.
  • Lower maintenance costs.

Deciding which asphalt pavement mixtures to use with which polymer additives for different asphalt paving jobs is one area where years of experience and expertise come into play! At Tucker Paving, we aim to have the skill, experience, and expertise to deliver projects with top efficiency and quality, no matter the size! We have nearly three decades in the asphalt and concrete paving industry. Contact us by calling (863) 299-2262, or fill out our contact form online, to let us help you with your next asphalt paving project!