Cup lump rubber and natural rubber latex biopolymers as promising modifiers for asphalt binders and mixtures: A review

This paper presents a comprehensive review of previous research based on scientific papers, technical reports, and published academic theses. The review focuses on studies and investigations concerning the application of rubber-based biopolymers as modifiers in asphalt binders and mixtures, alongside relevant existing literature, encompassing their influence on asphalt binders and mixtures as well as their binder-aggregate interface performance. Incorporating rubber-based biopolymers into base asphalt significantly enhances the viscosity, complex modulus, rutting parameters, and recovery percentage while reducing non-recoverable compliance and phase angle. These alterations indicate that rubber-based biopolymer-modified asphalt displays superior resistance to permanent deformation, surpassing base asphalt’s linear and non-linear rheological properties. Besides, rubber-based biopolymers alter the functional groups within the base asphalt due to the interaction in the asphalt matrix, especially after the aging process. These biopolymers are uniformly dispersed throughout the asphalt matrix, facilitated by the interconnected elastic networks among the biopolymer molecules. This improves the rheological and mechanical properties of both asphalt binders and mixtures. It is recommended that further studies investigate the combined effects of rubber-based biopolymers with other materials commonly used in asphalt modifications, such as nanomaterials and biomaterials, on the non-linear rheological and microstructural properties of asphalt binders, as well as the performance of asphalt mixtures. Advanced simulation and modeling techniques, such as molecular dynamic simulation and machine learning should be employed to understand the behavior of rubber-based biopolymer-modified asphalt binders and mixtures in various aging and loading situations. • Applications of biopolymers, latex and cup lump rubber in bituminous materials were reviewed. • Rubber-based biopolymers are adopted as sustainable alternative modifiers to synergize SDGs. • Use of surfactants improved the miscibility, homogeneity and stability of modified asphalt binders. • Biopolymer-modified asphalt displays superior performance regardless severe testing conditions.