Advancing terminal blend technology: post-processing chemical strategies for high-performance bituminous binders from waste tire rubber

This thesis addresses the development of bituminous binders obtained from the recycling of end-of-life tires using the Terminal Blend (TB) process, in which the rubber is completely degraded and incorporated into the bitumen. The main objective is to overcome the limitations of these materials, such as low elasticity, poor resistance to high temperatures, and rapid aging. To this end, an innovative reactor (Oxiboost) was used. Initially, the process conditions (temperature, time, and rubber content) were optimized. Subsequently, post-modification strategies, including controlled oxidation and sulfur vulcanization, were applied to improve mechanical properties and long-term stability. Rheological analyses showed that these treatments result in materials with greater resistance to deformation and improved performance at low temperatures. Furthermore, the oils derived from the TB process exhibit a compatibilizing effect in bitumen-polymer systems, expanding their applications to include waterproofing membranes. Overall, the work demonstrates the potential to convert waste into high-performance materials for infrastructure and construction.