Asphalt – what is it and what are its types?
Asphalt is a universal material used in construction, which can occur in liquid or solid form. Additionally, asphalt has strong binding properties and can range in color from brown to black. This material is the main component of asphalt-concrete mixes commonly used for building asphalt pavements. What else is worth knowing about Asphalt? Is asphalt harmful? What is asphalt made of?
Asphalt – structure and production process
It is hard to imagine today’s world without roads hardened with asphalt. This is a solution used successfully all over the world. The success of asphalt results mainly from its thermoplastic properties and high resistance to water, and the asphalt itself consists of elements such as:
- asphaltenes
- resins
- oils
What is asphalt made from? To produce asphalt, one can use the method of direct distillation, oxidation of asphalts, or composing asphalts. It is important to note that during this process, substances with an unpleasant odor and potentially toxic effects are released. Therefore, asphalt production plants are usually located far from residential areas and must comply with emission standards and limits specified by the law.
Asphalt is also commonly referred to as asphalt concrete, which is a mineral-asphalt mixture used for building road surfaces, where asphalt is used as a binding adhesive for the aggregates.
What is a road surface made of?
The road surface is usually built from three mineral-asphalt layers. The top layer is the wearing course, on which cars drive. This part of the surface must have the right properties to withstand heavy loads and the effects of weather conditions. Directly under the wearing course is the binding layer, which is responsible for efficiently transferring stresses generated on the road surface to the layers below. And below that is the main foundation layer, which acts as the supporting structure. The foundation can consist of a strengthening layer and a leveling layer, and a solid subgrade layer is placed under the foundation.
Asphalt – types
Asphalt can be divided into natural and petroleum asphalt. Natural asphalt occurs in nature, but it is too hard to be used for road construction. Therefore, such asphalt is used as an additive to petroleum asphalts to improve their properties. Petroleum asphalt can be used for road construction or for manufacturing materials used in construction, such as roofing felt or specialized insulation materials. Additionally, among road asphalts, the following types can be distinguished:
- Conventional asphalt
- Hard road asphalt
- Multigrade asphalt
- Polymer-modified asphalt
Currently, it is also possible to obtain asphalt through recycling, from old road surfaces. However, this is not an ideal solution because processing such asphalt may result in increased emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Where is the best place to order asphalt?
To order a high-quality mixture for business purposes, it is worth checking the offer of a reputable asphalt producer. Especially since specialized companies can sell asphalt in various forms. Customers can choose asphalt packaged in convenient 200 ml barrels. It is important to note that such a product is nowadays successfully used as an additive to a recycler or as a means of protecting technological edges.
Another practical product is liquid asphalt, which can find wide application as a priming material, a liquefying additive to bitumen, or even a material forming a priming layer of aggregates. Moreover, liquid asphalt is an elastic material characterized by high resistance to factors such as water, salt, or weak acids.
Another interesting product is asphalt in bags, which is a mixture that can be easily used at cold temperatures, regardless of the weather conditions. Additionally, asphalt in bags is ready to use immediately without the need for specialized equipment. Therefore, when looking for an ideal mixture for quick repair of road surfaces or filling gaps after installation work, it is worth choosing the extremely efficient asphalt in bags.
In summary, road asphalt, depending on its type and form of sale, can have very different applications. Additionally, it is still an invaluable material commonly used in road construction. However, to ensure that asphalt performs its role well and is safe to use, it is necessary to use products from proven sources with the best achievable parameters. It is used for road surface construction, for the production of roofing felt, and as an isolation material (asphalt adhesive). It should also be noted that the long-term stability of petroleum-derived materials (from crude oil) is outstanding. The upper penetration limit is in line with EU standards.
Mineral-asphalt mixture bitumer can be shipped to any location. The cost of shipping is determined individually.
Additional information
Asphalt production plays a crucial role in creating asphalt surfaces. Nowadays, modified asphalts are increasingly used, which have better properties than their traditional counterparts. To ensure product quality, manufacturers use in-house production control systems. In the process of laying the surface, asphalt acts as a binder, allowing different layers to be combined into a uniform whole. It is important to pour the road surface evenly and solidly to ensure its durability and safety for road users. Deliveries of the mixture must come regularly and according to demand, so that asphalt production can take place without disruption. Systematic quality controls of the mixture and production process will result in the highest quality product and provide road users with safety and comfort while driving.
