FAQ

Elastiko^R ECR is a finely ground, rubber product that has been chemically engineered to enhance the use of rubber in asphalt.  This crumb rubber product is designed so that it can be added like a fine aggregate to asphalt mixes during mix production, both in drum and batch plants.  The product is added through the use of a modified fiber machine.  This allows the production of a rubber-modified asphalt mix that will perform like a polymer-modified asphalt mix at a lower cost:  multiple grade bumps possible with enhanced rut and crack resistance.  This means you can modify your binder/mixes without the expense of binder terminal blending.

The addition of rubber to asphalt binders slightly increases the elastic characteristics of the binder, and the addition of rubber will permit the absorption of binder lighter ends, thus increasing the viscosity of the binder as well.  This means that the addition of crumb rubber to binders will provide both additional rutting and cracking resistance.  When the rubber absorbs binder lighter ends, it will soften and swell, becoming stickier in the process.  These swollen grains of rubber will also act to mechanically deflect and pin cracks that form in binders.  The addition of rubber in a properly designed mix at your plant will reduce your costs, simplify your plant/laydown operations, and it will improve pavement performance.

Extended field testing in the southeast, southwest and northern plains demonstrates the ability of Elastiko^R ECR asphalt mixes to perform well in a wide range of environments. Interstate side-by-side and end-to-end comparisons of Dry Mix rubberized asphalt and polymer modified asphalt indicates comparable performance in both hot and cold climates over pavement full life-cycles. We have 16 years’ worth of successful field experience and over 3 million tons of product placed, including over 5,000 lane miles of state and interstate highway applications.  Multiple performance studies are available on request.  Please see our project map here.  Contact information is included below.

Elastiko^R ECR use in asphalt mix production produces pavement performance that is equivalent to mix designs utilizing polymer and terminal blend rubber modified binders, but at a significantly lower cost.  This technology allows an asphalt producer to modify asphalt at their plant instead of buying a modified asphalt from a terminal.  Users report savings in the dollars per mix ton range. This reduces project costs, reduces the complexity of paving with modified binder mixes, and it improves the sustainability of the road surface.  When compared to polymers and terminal blend rubber-modified binders, Elastiko^R ECR pavements perform comparably.  When compared to standard hot mix pavements, Elastiko^R ECR pavements will last longer and exhibit superior cracking and rutting resistance.  Also, Elastiko^R ECR pavements offer some additional project advantages, including lower road noise, better traction and reduced surface oxidation (pavements stay darker longer compared to other mix designs).

If you understand how to run fibers at an asphalt plant, you understand a lot of the engineering behind Elastiko^R ECR. Bulk bags of Elastiko^R ECR are shipped to the plant and loaded into a modified fiber machine.  The ECR is blown into the drum through the RAP collar or fed directly into a batch plant.  The rubber-modified mix will handle like a standard hot mix throughout the plant.  A special tank for terminally modified asphalt binders is not required.  If a producer wants to stop ECR modification, he/she can shut the feeder off with a single switch.

If a road owner or producer wants to include ECR in mix designs, extensive mix design and lab procedure guidance can be found on-line, and technical support can be found at Asphalt Plus.

Modified binder quality is certified at shipment, but settling/separation of modified binders remains something of an industry unknown.  The Elastiko^R ECR process injects the rubber powder during the asphalt mixing process, thus ensuring a random distribution of rubber throughout the mix, just like other fine aggregates.  The infeed of Elastiko^R ECR is controlled through the use of an accurate loss-in-weight feeder that is in turn tied the operating speed of the binder pump.  The feeder tracks the rate of Elastiko^R ECR infeed and can record and store infeed data up to 500 times per shift before downloading.  Field evaluation of feeder accuracy indicates better than 2%/2 minute performance accuracy.  In addition, solvent recovery systems are reporting success in extracting rubber content from post-production asphalt mixes.

Depending on specific state specifications, here is a partial list of Elastiko^R ECR benefits:

• Reduced pavement costs
  • Lower producer costs to modify the binder/mix
  • Higher mix ABR content possible
  • Reduce or eliminate need for fibers
  • Reduce or eliminate the need for warm mix additives
  • Reduced need for slip aids
  • Reduced waste generation during production/laydown
  • Reduced mix plant complexity with Elastiko^R
  • Reduced overlay thicknesses possible
  • Reduced roller passes necessary to achieve compaction
  • Lower breakdown and finish compaction temperatures
• Improved mix quality control capabilities
• Quieter, safer roads
• More sustainable pavements

It is not unusual to save multiple dollars per mix ton compared to the use of terminally modified binders.

If you reach out to Asphalt Plus, we will be happy to provide you with specifications tailored to your general needs.  Just call 847-639-1176 and ask one of our technical representatives to assist you.

Elastiko^R ECR can be purchased and shipped globally. Just call 847-639-1176 and ask one of our technical representatives to assist you in your project, product design, pricing and shipping. You may also reach us at info@asphaltplus.com.