Recycling Of Modified Asphalt Sheets for Automotive Use

In the present study, the recycling of modified bitumen soundproofing membranes, known as automotive-grade asphalt (ART) membranes, was carried out. The ART sheets were incorporated in the mixing stage of the asphalt mastic, which is part of the manufacturing process of new sheets. The selection of the best asphalt mastic formulation was performed at laboratory scale, where the ATR sheet cutting waste was added to the original asphalt mastic at 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 15.0 % w/w percentages. The formulations were evaluated for six parameters of interest associated with softening point, rotational viscosity, density, weight per area, thickness and creep. It was determined that the properties of all the formulations studied met the minimum requirements stipulated for the commercialization of the product. The recycling process was carried out on an industrial scale using the formulation with 5% w/w of ATR residues, which presented a viscosity close to that of the original mastic. The results at industrial scale were favorable, since the six parameters of interest were within the ranges established in the regulations.