Method for obtaining polymer/bitumen blends with improved stability and
The present invention is an improvement in a process for producing a blend of bitumen and a block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene comprising mixing from 88 to 99.5 weight percent of bitumen with 0.5 to 12 weight percent copolymer at 135.degree. to 250.degree. C., agitating the mixture for at least 30 minutes, adding 0.01 to 2 weight percent sulfur and maintaining the mixture under agitation for at least 30 minutes. The improvement comprises utilizing high shear mixing at a shear rate of at least 10,000 second.sup.-1 to provide said agitation.
Shell Oil Company
James H.
Collins