The paper presents the results of laboratory investigation on asphalt binders relaxation at low temperature, carried out in a ductilometer using the tensile test with continuous force measurement. Polymer modified asphalt binder samples consisting of a 50/70 penetration grade bitumen mixed with a concentrate of styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen—a 160/220 penetration grade bitumen modified with a SBS copolymer in the amount of 9%—were tested. Therefore, polymer modified binders containing 3%, 4.5%, 6% and 7.5% SBS, respectively, were obtained and investigated. Tensile tests were performed at −16 °C on samples before aging and subjected to short-term aging (RTFOT). Test results in the form of relaxation curves have been mathematically described using a modified generalized Maxwell model. Based on the acquired results, it was shown that the increase of the SBS copolymer content in asphalt binder precipitates the relaxation process, while aging slows down this phenomenon. It has also been proven that with increased content of SBS elastomer in asphalt binder, the effect of short-term aging on binder’s stress relaxation ability at low temperatures is reduced.

The subject matter of the research pertains to the improvement of rheological properties of petroleum bitumens by their modification with SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) copolymer. The authors have determined selected rheological properties characterising the durability of modified bitumens used in road pavements. The bitumens were modified in laboratory conditions with modified bitumen concentrate of a known SBS copolymer content of 9%. The result was a binder containing the known percentage of the SBS copolymer of 3%, 4.5% and 6%. Rheological properties of the tested bitumens were determined by the use of a DSR dynamic shear rheometer (in a wide temperature range from 40°C to 100°C) and a ductilometer at 5°C. DSR was used for performing MSCR test to determine the resistance of the asphalt mixture with the SBS-modified binder to permanent deformations in the high temperature range (from 40°C to 82°C). The comparison of the values of the dynamic shear modulus jG*j of all the bitumens tested shows that with a growing content of the SBS copolymer in the tested binder the value of jG*j increases, which may indicate greater resistance to permanent deformation of the asphalt pavement. The MSCR test has shown that the increased use of the SBS copolymer addition in the bitumen translates to decreasing values of the non-recoverable creep compliance J nr . The SBS copolymer accelerates stress relaxation in the bitumen sample, thus increasing pavement resistance to low-temperature cracks. Furthermore, modification reduces the negative impact of ageing on the properties of the binder, manifested by its stiffening and slowdown of relaxation.