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Viscocel Fibre Modifier Used for New Hanson SMA
19 November 2004

Excel Fibre Technology's Viscocel SMA fibre is being used by Hanson as a bitumen modifier in the manufacture of the company's recently-developed 'Durafalt county' SMA road surface, which is being promoted as a superior alternative to traditional 'surface dressing' used for minor and rural roads. In fact, the performance of the surface in trials undertaken by Hanson, has demonstrated that the durability, skid resistance and longevity of the 20mm thin wearing course also makes it suitable for more heavily traffic-populated 'A' roads.

Other benefits of the Durafalt county road surface are its excellent performance in the wet, producing less spray and providing excellent skid resistance, while delivering a smoother drive for motorists and reduced road noise.

Once dispersed in the SMA, Viscocel fibres hold the bitumen in place by creating a lattice, which binds the material together, enhancing the bitumen’s ability to adhere to the stone aggregate and providing true SMA performance. The lattice created by Viscocel’s long, interwoven fibres gives the SMA more elasticity, making it less brittle and more able to withstand continual heavy loading.

Hanson's Durafalt county uses a combination of 20mm, 14mm and 10mm aggregate with a high PSV (polished stone value) of 65. Developed as a hot mix thin surface covering, the 20mm SMA layer provides a tough, long-lasting wearing course finish for the road, which compares favourably to the use of surface emulsion and chippings 'surface dressing' often specified for road resurfacing of minor roads.

Viscocel SMA fibre is manufactured from recycled newspaper, complementing outstanding performance capabilities with excellent environmental credentials. In addition, the fibre is totally inert and will not degrade over time.

Independent trials, undertaken by Scott Wilson Pavement Engineering and the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) on SMAs manufactured using Viscocel fibre, show that Viscocel SMAs also exhibit superior stiffness and, therefore, improved load spreading ability, along with its capacity to hold bitumen in position around the stone aggregate. This is particularly important in thin pavement structures, where the benefits associated with thinner road coverings are complemented by excellent durability and longevity.

Excel Fibre Technology, a division of Excel Industries Limited of Rhymney in Gwent, is the UK’s leading manufacturer of speciality fibres and fibre delivery systems. In addition to Viscocel SMA fibre and pellets and the SMART range of refibreising systems, Excel manufactures a range of products for use in varied industrial applications as well as the building and construction industry.