Bitumen-modifier pellets pass the test

Excel Fibre Technology’s Viscocel 500 binder-free fibre bitumen-modifier pellets have successfully completed SMA trials undertaken by Hanson Aggregates at their Chipping Sodbury Quarry.

"The trials involved the manufacture and laying of 400 tonnes of SMA surfacing using two aggregate mixes. The SMA was laid on roadways within the quarry and, for South Gloucestershire County Council, on the public road approaching the quarry gates."

"The Viscocel 500 pellets were trialled with Excel’s SMART re-fibreizing system, which ensures the pellets are fully converted into loose open fibre before being added to the SMA mix. The SMART system used by Hanson featured a gravimetric feed primary module with a one-tonne hopper capable of supplying fibre for 300 tonnes of SMA."

"Four aggregate SMA mixes were manufactured using the re-fibreized pellets: 14mm and 10mm limestone course aggregates with limestone fine aggregate, and 14mm and 10mm gritstone course aggregates with limestone fine aggregate. The SMA was then laid in high traffic areas in and around the quarry."

"Ian Bredbury, quarry manager, commented: ‘The SMA manufactured with the pellets was very high quality, which was essential to cope with the heavy traffic it will be subjected to. The robust SMART system is well suited to the harsh external quarry environment and performed well in re-fibreizing the pellets into an easily dispersed loose fibre.’"

Tarmac Western have also used Viscocel 500 pellets to manufacture their Masterpave asphalt for resurfacing sections of the M42 in Warwickshire and the A38 in Gloucestershire.