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Recent Press Releases Excel Brings Viscocel to Hillhead: 28 March 2007
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Viscocel Fibre Specified for Oil-resistant SMA Excel Fibre Technology's Viscocel SMA fibre is being used by construction materials specialist, Hanson Aggregates, as a bitumen modifier in the manufacture of the company's Durafalt fuel SMA road surface. A hot-mix, oil-resisting wearing course material, Durafalt fuel was developed by Hanson for applications that have to endure spillage of oil or fuel based compounds such as fuel storage areas, lorry depots, service areas and garage forecourts. Based on stone mastic asphalt using 50 pen bitumen, it has been designed as a gap-graded mixture containing around 75 per cent coarse aggregate content and 5.5% to 7% binder with Viscocel fibre to permit maximum binder retention and minimum drainage. The high coarse aggregate content provides an interlocked framework, providing excellent resistance to deformation. The rich mastic ensures maximum durability and the special binder guarantees resistance to fuel and oil spillage. The design of the mix and the choice of aggregate size provides texture depth, which is retained throughout the life of the surfacing. Durafalt fuel is available in a range of aggregates and polished stone values. Viscocel fibre works to hold the bitumen in place during laying by creating a lattice, which binds the material together, enhancing the bitumen’s ability to adhere to the stone aggregate. 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.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 a greater 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.
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