Experimental Evaluation of Modifying Natural Asphalt with Waste Polyethylene Plastic

The primary aim of this study is the modification of natural asphalt (NA) with waste plastic to produce an eco-friendly and sustainable asphalt binder. In this work, waste polyethylene (WPE) was blended with NA at three dosage levels (2 %, 4 %, and 6 %) to create a modified and consistent binder suitable for paving applications. Petroleum asphalt (PA) was supplied by a local oil refinery, and NA was collected from two sulfur lakes, Askaree and Jabal. WPE was obtained from a local plastic recycling factory. Various laboratory tests were performed to assess the physical, chemical, and rheological properties of the modified NA. Additionally, the WPE-NA mixtures were subjected to the Marshall and Cantabro tests to assess their mechanical properties and abrasion resistance, respectively. The results showed that the incorporation of 2% and 4% WPE into NA from Askaree and Jabal lakes, respectively, resulted in physical properties similar to those of PA. However, NA from Askaree lake modified with 4 % WPE presented unsatisfactory storage stability under high-temperature conditions. The highest stability and stiffness were achieved in the mixture of NA from Askaree lake containing 2 % WPE. However, the control mixture performed better than the NA mixtures in the abrasion test, although the NA mixtures remained within the specified limits. In conclusion, the experimental findings confirm the effectiveness of WPE modification in achieving the desired balance between load resistance and flexibility for NA binders.