Stable paving compositions having improved low and high temperature properties

摘要

A paving composition comprises a mixture of about 90 to 99.5 wt. % of an asphaltic material and about 0.5 to 10 wt. % of solid particles each encapsulated with a cross-linked polymer, the encapsulated particles being uniformly dispersed in the asphaltic material. The encapsulated particles have a particle-to-polymer weight ratio so as to provide a density match between the encapsulated particles and the asphaltic material. The paving composition according to the invention has a higher complex viscosity at high temperatures (60° C.) and is more ductile at low temperatures (-15° C.) in comparison with the base asphaltic material. Moreover, the composition is completely stable at elevated temperatures (160° C.) or during long periods of storage.