Study of physical and rheological properties of modified bitumen prepared by blending non-metallicpart of e-waste

Abstract

Electronic waste is known as e-waste. Literature showed that it contains many toxic and hazardous materials not only pollute the earth but also water and air too. Due to technological advancement, e-waste is increasing day by day and its disposal is becoming a challenge for our society. It contains plastic, metals and many other harmful and hazardous chemicals and materials. Based on the requirement of disposal of e-waste, the present study investigated the utilization of the non-metallic part of e-waste and its influence on the physical and rheological properties of modified bitumen. The study showed the preparation of five electronic waste-modified bitumens (e-WMBs): e-WMB1, e-WMB2, e-WMB3, e-WMB4 and e-WMB5 using a dry approach and four e-WMBs: e-WMB6, e-WMB7, e-WMB8, and e-WMB9. These e-WMBs were prepared by blending non-metallic parts of electronic waste material and its slurry in 80/100 base bitumen. The study revealed that an optimal 2.5 wt % e-waste not only illustrated the best blending in bituminous paves besides a profitable deployment of nonmetallic components of e-waste for augmented rheological properties of bitumen composite. The main objective of the study was to prepare VG40 equivalent bitumen as per Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) specification IS: 73:2013 with the use of non-metallic parts of e-waste. The blending of 2.5 wt% e-waste slurry changes the penetration from 100 dmm to 40 dmm, and softening point from 47 to 50 °C. e-WMB7 meeting all specification of VG40 bitumen as per IS specification IS73:2013. The study revealed that the utilization of e-waste can be beneficial to enhance the rheological properties of base bitumen in terms of load-bearing capacity complex modulus (G*), and viscoelastic behavior in terms of phase angle (δ). The blending of 2.5 wt% e-waste slurry changes the penetration from 100 dmm to 40 dmm, and softening point from 47 to 50 °C. e-WMB7 meets all specifications of VG40 bitumen.