Storage stability of SBS/sulfur modified bitumens at high temperature: Influence of bitumen composition and structure

Polymer modified bitumens, PMBs, are usually prepared at high temperature and subsequently stored for a period of time, also at high temperature. The stability of PMBs, in these conditions, has a decisive influence in order to obtain the adequate performances for practical applications. In this article the attention is focused in the analysis of the factors that determine the stability of styrene–butadiene–styrene copolymer (SBS)/sulfur modified bitumens when the mixtures are maintained at high temperature. Bitumens from different crude oil sources were used to prepare SBS/sulfur modified bitumens. Changes in the values of viscosity, softening point, as well as in the morphology of PMB samples, stored at 160 °C, were related to the bitumen chemical composition and to the amount of asphaltene micelles present in the neat bitumen used in their preparation.