Bitumen

About Bitumen

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Product Description

Bitumen, also known as asphalt, is a highly viscous, black, sticky liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It is composed mainly of hydrocarbons and is derived from the distillation of crude oil. Bitumen is known for its adhesive properties, waterproofing capabilities, and durability, making it a critical material in various construction and industrial applications.

Characteristics of Bitumen

Viscosity: Bitumen is highly viscous, meaning it flows very slowly. Its viscosity can be adjusted for different applications by heating or mixing with other substances.
Adhesiveness: It has excellent adhesive properties, which helps bind aggregate particles in road construction.
Waterproofing: Bitumen is impervious to water, making it an ideal material for waterproofing and damp-proofing.
Durability: It is resistant to most chemical reactions, weathering, and aging, contributing to the longevity of structures where it is used.

what is bitumen?

Now, it is time to know what bitumen is. Bitumen is a mixture of hydrocarbons that is formed during the distillation of petroleum. This process results in the formation of bitumen. This dark-colored substance can also be found in its natural deposits in its unadulterated form, though only in extremely trace amounts. Bitumen is primarily distinguished by three properties: its impermeability, its malleability, and its powerful adhesive power. It is utilized as a binder in the production of many coatings, including roadways, parking lots, sidewalks, and even sealing materials and products. When heated, bitumen transforms from its solid state into a viscous liquid that is extremely resilient and can withstand the test of time and temperatures in the surrounding environment. Because of this, it must be transported and used at high temperatures, which are typically between 150 and 180 degrees Celsius. In addition to that, it has a very high capacity for insulating. The progression of the bitumen’s viscosity with increasing temperature is the basis for the grading system used to categorize the material.
Concerning asphalt and bitumen, this is the topic of the potential inquiry that you have. Do they refer to the same thing?
Bitumen and asphalt are two very different materials, but they are complementary to one another. Bitumen makes up approximately ten percent of asphalt, and the remaining ninety percent is composed of fine aggregates. Asphalt is used in the construction of roads and other public works projects. It is heated to approximately 200 degrees Celsius to make it malleable and suitable for use on construction sites. Asphalt was utilized extensively during the development of automobiles because it significantly reduced the amount of road wear and tear. Bituminous mixes are to be distinguished from the asphalt in this regard. The latter is made up of gravel and bitumen, but it is heated to temperatures that are lower than asphalt, approximately 160 degrees Celsius. Even in this case, the bitumen still acts as a binder for approximately 5 percent or so of the total mixture.

What its uses

Let's talk about its uses. Bituminous mixes, which are used to form the various layers of roads, are produced by heating a mixture of gravel and bitumen to approximately 160 degrees Celsius. The mixture is held together with bitumen, which accounts for about 5 percent of the total. This substance may contain various additives, such as fluxes left over from the distillation of petroleum or the esterification of vegetable oils, polymers, pigments, and so on. Their function is to alter the properties of the mixture, such as its viscosity, its resistance to mechanical stress or its acoustic properties, and even its coloring. It is important to note that warm mixes, which either contain a low percentage of additives (less than 1 percent) or a low percentage of water and surfactants, are becoming an increasingly popular choice for the construction of roads. The application temperature for bitumen of grade 35/50 is approximately 130 degrees Celsius. Oxidized bitumen, which can be obtained by adding fluxing oils and forcing air through it at high pressure, can also be used for other surfaces, such as roofs, to make them waterproof or water-resistant. It comes either in the form of bitumen slabs that are melted in rotary kilns or in the form of bituminous strips manufactured in factories and hot-glued on-site with a blowtorch. In conclusion.

Cold Asphalt

Cold mix bitumen emulsion is formed of mineral aggregate, water, and binder. It is usually supplied in bulk packaging or a polybag for efficient transportation and application. This product is known as 'cold mix' because it does not need heat for the application process, unlike hot asphalt.