This invention is based upon the discovery that a polydiene rubber that is
comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diene monomer
and sulfur can be used to improved the force ductility, elastic recovery,
toughness and tenacity of asphalt cement. The polydiene rubber that is
comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diene monomer
and sulfur also exhibits excellent compatibility with asphalt. The repeat
units in the polydiene rubber that are derived from sulfur are in the
backbone of the polymer. These repeat units that are derived from sulfur
typically contain from 2 to 8 sulfur atoms (--S.sub.n --). The subject
invention more specifically relates to a modified asphalt cement which is
comprised of (i) from about 90 weight percent to about 99 weight percent
asphalt; (ii) from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a
polydiene rubber that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a
conjugated diene monomer and sulfur. The present invention also reveals an
asphalt concrete which is comprised of (A) from about 90 weight percent to
about 99 weight percent of an aggregate and (B) from about 1 weight
percent to about 10 weight percent of a modified asphalt cement which is
comprised of (i) from about 90 weight percent to about 99 weight percent
asphalt; (ii) from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent of a
polydiene rubber that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a
conjugated diene monomer and sulfur. The present invention also discloses
a process for preparing a modified asphalt cement which comprises (1)
blending from about 1 to about 10 parts by weight of a polydiene rubber
that is comprised of repeat units that are derived from a conjugated diene
monomer and sulfur into from about 90 to about 99 parts by weight of
asphalt at a temperature which is within the range of about 130.degree. to
about 230.degree. C. to produce a polymer-asphalt blend; and (2) mixing
from about 0.1 to about 3 parts by weight of sulfur into the
polymer-asphalt blend to produce the modified asphalt cement.