ASPHALT BITUMEN IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION - Asphalt bitumen is used in road construction because it is easy to produce, reusable, non-toxic, and a strong binder. It is a binding organic material made from the by-products of refined crude oil. Bitumen has a melting point of around 240 degrees Fahrenheit which is high enough to be safely used for roadway designs and low enough to be heated up without using a large amount of energy. In some parts of the world, temperatures can rise to a point that will turn the substance viscous, but because of the layers of aggregate rock, roadways can still endure high temperatures without contorting. Asphalt bitumen is non-toxic and is comprised of hydrocarbons and organic material with a high molecular density. These hydrocarbons are adhesive and form strong bonds with solid surfaces when at a low temperature. Crude oil deposits are formed when organic carbon material decays. The oil deposits on earth are formed from organic life and plant material.

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Asphalt Bitumen

Why Is Bitumen Used In Road Construction?

By Lone Star Paving

Asphalt bitumen is a binding organic material made from the by-products of refined crude oil. 

It is used in road construction because it is easy to produce, reusable, non-toxic, and a strong binder.

Melting Point

Bitumen has a melting point of around 240 degrees Fahrenheit which is high enough to be safely used for roadway designs and low enough to be heated up without using a large amount of energy.

In some parts of the world, temperatures can rise to a point that will turn the substance viscous, but because of the layers of aggregate rock, roadways can still endure high temperatures without contorting.

Recycling

Because of the low melting point of asphalt bitumen, it is easy to heat the asphalt up as part of an asphalt recycling process.

Asphalt torn up from old roadways will be sent to an asphalt processing plant instead of to the landfill.

At the asphalt plant, the torn-up asphalt will be ground up to create an easy to measure mixture, and it can then be added to recycled roadway mix designs.

The old asphalt material is mixed in with new bitumen and fresh aggregate rock to make a just as strong asphalt material.

Chemical Composition

Asphalt bitumen is non-toxic and is comprised of hydrocarbons and organic material with a high molecular density.

These hydrocarbons are adhesive and form strong bonds with solid surfaces when at a low temperature.

Crude oil deposits are formed when organic carbon material decays.

The oil deposits on earth are formed from organic life and plant material that existed during the prehistoric and Jurassic era.

Colored Bitumen

Traditional asphalt bitumen is black because of the dense organic material that makes up the material. 

Colored bitumen is also available and has pigments added to the solution.

It is more expensive than regular asphalt bitumen because there is less of its pigmentable counterpart produced during crude oil distillation, and it requires more materials and chemical additives to make.

Lone Star Paving is a pavement company providing paving solutions at a fair price in Texas. We commit ourselves to provide quality and long-lasting asphalt and concrete paving projects. For over 125 years in the paving, concrete, and asphalt industry, we’ve earned the trust of our many clients. We oversee every aspect of our projects with a critical eye to provide only the best results for you. We provide a one-year warranty on all our work, ensuring our projects are the best investment for you.

Lone Star Paving is based in Austin, TX and our company serves the surrounding areas in Central Texas. We can tackle any of your asphalt, concrete and maintenance needs with the expertise you need.

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