ELVALOY™ RET vs. SBS Modified Asphalt Performance

Performance and productivity of ELVALOY™ RET

ELVALOY™ Reactive Elastomeric Terpolymer (RET) helps transport the people and things important to us. Being the best isn’t just a priority, but a necessity. Extensive test data is available from third parties, including government agencies, industry groups and universities, demonstrating that ELVALOY™ RET has equivalent or improved performance vs. styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) modified asphalt at lower dosages.

ELVALOY™ RET slows down pavement deformation and resists damage from extreme temperatures and moisture, making it an investment for the long-term.

Compare the Modified Polymers Asphalt Properties

Differences between ELVALOY™ RET and SBS begin with basic polymer chemistry and handling properties.

ELVALOY™ RET	Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS)
Specifically engineered by Dow for asphalt modification	Developed in the 1950s as a replacement for rubber
Storage-stability, because ELVALOY™ RET chemically links with asphalt	Susceptible to separation from the asphalt
Can be winter-filled and stored for reheating and later use	Not recommended for winter-filling
Only low shear mixing is necessary	High-shear mill required for mixing at increased capital and maintenance costs
Delivered as a free-flowing pellet which results in easy handling	Not as easily handled

Polymer Modified Asphalt:
Get in the Mix with ELVALOY™ RET

Overview of Dow's Elvaloy RET characteristics

ELVALOY™ RET vs. SBS:
Polymer Modified Asphalt Blending & Testing

Compare the Asphalt Performance

Terminal operators and paving contractors can also benefit from proven ELVALOY™ RET asphalt modifier technology.

ELVALOY™ RET	Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS)
Lower processing, storage, mixing, and compaction temperatures	Higher storage, mixing and compaction temperatures
Less energy use in mix plant	More energy use in the mix plant
Less likely to have smoking issues	More likely to have emissions (smoking) from the mix plant if extra additives are applied
Faster compaction to meet required densities which requires less equipment and more rapid opening to traffic	Longer compaction times, and long lane closures; harder to construct due to ever-increasing night and weekend paving windows
Lower processing temperatures, resulting in reduced emissions and fewer odor complaints	More likely to result in complaints to authorities from workers and the public about fumes
Fewer complaints from job site neighbors	More likely to have fumes at the paving train due to higher temperatures
Increased workability for paving crews who quickly realize ELVALOY™ RET paves like neat asphalt	Harder for crews without PMA experience to use; Can cause significant paving issues, particularly for highly-modified asphalt mixes