Storage stability of bimodal emulsions vs. monomodal emulsions

Abstract

Storage stability is a very important parameter that has to be considered in the formulation of asphalt emulsions. When monomodal emulsions are formulated, Stokes' law is fulfilled, therefore the higher the viscosity the less sedimentation, or the lower average droplet size the less sedimentation. But when bimodal emulsions are formulated, this rule does not apply. In this paper, two types of different emulsions are formulated: monomodal emulsions and bimodal emulsions. Bimodal emulsions are a combination of one large bitumen size and a small one. For this study, hard penetration bitumens were used, B35/50 and B15/25, because they are the most difficult bitumen to emulsify and, consequently, the worst sedimentation values are expected. Once the emulsions are manufactured, they are diluted to a bitumen rate concentration of 60% and 70%. Results show that bimodal emulsions, although having lower viscosity than their monomodal counterparts, have higher storage stability.