The Birth of AROS™ (Anisotropic Rubber Obviated
Stress)
In the early 1990's a team of development engineers from Lockheed Missiles &
Space Corp. (LMSC) set out to investigate how their ceramic technologies might play
into SBS production, particularly as it related to asphalt modification and
pavement construction.
Non-traditional scientific evaluation of the failure mechanism(s)
associated with asphalt refractory composites (ARC) utilized in the
built infrastructure were pursued by the development team. Detailed
studies of the surface chemistry and petrographic character of clays
and aggregates were performed by scientists and engineers including
Orbiter (Space Shuttle) ceramic re-entry tile, team specialists;
specifically searching for opportunities to upgrade ARC interfacial
chemistry. Innovation ensued, targeting in particular the cost
effective improvement of four asphalt emulsion characteristics: 1)
adhesion, 2) cohesion, 3) early green strength and 4) water resistance
when employed in ambient cured, structural waterproofing and pavement
preservation systems.
The result of these past 14 years of development, spawned from LMSC
ceramic technologies, has produced an Asphalt Rubber binder (ARB)
technology that will serve as the long awaited 'paradigm shift' in
flexible pavement materials. This new innovation is referred to as
AROS™. |