It is vital for the quality of the SMA to use fibers or pellets, which function as a support or asphalt

retainer and serve to prevent the "drainage" of the asphalt binder during the production,
transport and construction of the asphalt binder. The easy and fast application of SMA in thin
layers makes this pavement design very profitable.
The high content of asphalt binder in combination with the fibers of the pellets improves the
useful life of the road and reduces costs, including maintenance costs.
The TOPCEL fiber pellets, according to the technical data sheet, are free of asphalt binders and
have a fast distribution in the mixture.

 Mixing Times
The recommendation for the addition of the individual components and the total mixing time
using cellulose fibers is shown in the following table.

Sand 15 seconds
Fillings 25-30 seconds
Cellulose Fibers 15-20 seconds
Incorporators 15 seconds
Wet Mix 10 seconds
Emptied 8 seconds

In the table a mixing time of 53 seconds is recommended, in the practical experience of PACTECH, during
the production of asphalt mix the average time is 40 seconds, which depends on the tons per hour
produced.

In the PACCSA central laboratory, for the elaboration of 150 mm diameter specimens, approximately 4500
g are used, in which there is an average of dry aggregate mixing with the addition of fiber pellets between
1 and 2 minutes, to ensure the correct incorporation of the fiber pellets, subsequently mixed with the
binder for 5 minutes.

In two airport works (Hermosillo Airport and Los Cabos Airport), as well as in a highway project in the
State of Chihuahua, during the production of the asphalt mixture when performing the laboratory tests
for the determination of the granulometry of the aggregates ( ASTM D-5444) and the determination of
the asphalt content by means of centrifugation (ASTM D-2172), it has been observed that the pellets of
the TOPCEL fibers do not achieve the homogeneous dispersion and rapid release of the fibers in the
totality of the asphalt mixture as can be seen in the photographs shown below.

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 AEROPUERTO DE SAN JOSE DEL CABO, BAJA CALIFORNIA.

Process of extraction of asphalt cement by centrifugation (ASTM D-2172)

The unincorporated pellets in the asphalt mixture are observed.

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 AEROPUERTO DE HERMOSILLO, SONORA.

Process of extraction of asphalt cement by centrifugation (ASTM D-2172)

The unincorporated pellets in the asphalt mixture are observed.

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 PACCSA CENTRAL LABORATORY.

With the TOPCEL fiber pellets, there is the disadvantage that it can not be homogenized in the time
indicated by the manufacturer, which is approximately 53 seconds, in the PACCSA Central Laboratory, the
mixing of the dry aggregate with the addition of the pellets was carried out. the fiber for one (1) minute,
in which the pellets, due to their physical hardness, do not manage to disintegrate, expand and disperse
in their entirety.

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 PROPERTIES OF CELLULOSE FIBER

With regard to the properties of cellulose fiber, it must comply with the type of fiber to be used based on
the AASHTO MP8 specification.

Table 3- Cellulose fiber quality requirements:

Property Requirement
Mesh analysis::
Method A- Alpine sieve a analysis:
Fiber Length 6 mm (0.25 in) max.
Passes the sieve of 0.150 mm (No. 100) 70±10 %
Method A- Alpine sieve b analysis :
Fiber Length 6 mm (0.25 in) max.
Passes the sieve of 0.850 mm (N°20) 85±10 %
Sieve of 0.425 mm (N°40) 65±10 %
Sieve 0.106 mm (N°140) 30±10 %
Ash Content c 18± 5 por ciento not volatile
pHd 7.5±1.0 %
Absorption of oil e 5.0±1.0 (times the mass of the fiber)
Moisture content f > 5 % (times the mass)
a) This test is performed using an Alpine Air-Jet screen (Type 200 LS). A representative sample of 5 g of fiber is screened
for 14 min at a controlled vacuum of 75 kPa (11 psi) of water. The portion that remains in the sieve is heavy.
b) This test is performed using the standard sieves of 0.850mm (No.20), 0.425mm (No.40), 0.250mm (No.60), 0.180mm
(No.80), 0.150mm (No.100), and 0.106mm (No. 140), nylon brushes and a screener. A representative sample of 10 g of
fiber is screened, using a screener and two nylon brushes in each mesh. The amount retained in each screen is heavy
and the percentage that passes is calculated. The repetitiveness of the method is suspicious and needs to be verified.
c) A representative sample of 2 to 3 g of fiber is placed in a crucible and heated between 595 and 650 ° C (1100 and 1200
° F) for not less than two hours. The crucible and the ash are cooled in a desiccator and weighed.
d) Five grams of fiber are added to 100 ml of distilled water, stirring is allowed to stand for 30 min. The pH is determined
with a probe calibrated with a buffer with a pH of 7.0.
e) Five grams of fiber are weighed as accurately and suspended in an excess of mineral for not less than 5 min to ensure
total saturation. It is then placed in a sieve (approximately 0.5 mm2 of opening) and manually stirred for 10 min
(approximately a movement of 32 mm at 240 agitations per minute). The shaken mass is transferred without touching a
tared container and weighing it. The results are reported as the amount (number of times its own weight) that the
fibers can absorb.
f) Ten grams of fiber are weighed and placed in a forced air oven at 121 ° C (250 ° F) for two hours. The sample is removed
immediately after removing it from the oven.

With respect to the physical tests cited in Table 3, three tests were carried out at the PACCSA Central
Laboratory:

Fiber length.

From a sampling of 400 TOPCEL fiber pellets, there are 289 fiber pellets that meet the 6 mm requirement
and represent 72.3% of the total fiber analyzed, 111 fiber pellets representing 27.8% of the total pellets
analyzed.

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Ash content.

The result in the determination of the ash content is 20% being in compliance with the specification (13 to
23%).

Moisture content

The result in the determination of the moisture content is 2.0% being.

According to the technical specifications of the TOPCEL fiber pellet supplier, it is not necessary to indicate
the granulometry indicated in the requirements of the AASHTO MP-8 standard.

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Viveros de Asís No.4 Col Viveros de la Loma, Tlalnepantla, Edo de México. C.P.54080. Tel. 53625509
Viveros de Asís No.4 Col Viveros de la Loma, Tlalnepantla, Edo de México. C.P.54080. Tel. 53625509
Viveros de Asís No.4 Col Viveros de la Loma, Tlalnepantla, Edo de México. C.P.54080. Tel. 53625509