Understanding The Applications and Advantages of Liquid Asphalt

Understanding Liquid Asphalt

Liquid asphalt, often referred to as asfalto líquido in Spanish, is an extremely versatile product with many applications and uses. Before diving into the specifics of what liquid asphalt is used for, it's important to understand exactly what it is and where it comes from.

What is Liquid Asphalt?

Liquid asphalt is derived from petroleum and is a byproduct of oil refining. It's classified as a semi-solid form of asphalt that has a tar-like consistency. It's produced through the distillation process of crude oil and is composed of the heavy remnants of petroleum.

The liquid asphalt base is then combined with aggregates like stone, sand, or gravel to create hot mix asphalt for paving roads, driveways, walkways, and more. It acts as the adhesive agent or "glue" to hold all the aggregates together.

Production and Grades

There are several different grades of liquid asphalt that are produced. The specifics of the distillation process determine the hardness, temperature rating, and chemical properties of the final product. Each grade has applications where it works best.

Some common grades include MC-30, MC-70, MC-250, and MC-800. The numbers refer to the mid-point temperature rating. So MC-30 has a softening point of about 30°C for instance. Higher numbers have thicker viscosities for jobs that require more durability.

Applying Liquid Asphalt

Now that we've covered the production and composition of liquid asphalt, let's discuss the various applications for it. Liquid asphalt has many uses across paving, roofing, industrial, and specialty applications.

Paving and Road Construction

One of the most common uses for liquid asphalt is in flexible pavement for roads, driveways, parking lots, walkways, and more. It acts as the critical binding agent to adhere aggregates together into hot mix asphalt (HMA).

Without liquid asphalt, the aggregates would simply never stick together. Depending on factors like traffic volume and vehicle loading, civil engineers select the appropriate grade of liquid asphalt to create HMA that meets job specifications.

Roofing

In roofing applications, liquid asphalt serves as a protective waterproofing layer and adhesive for roofing materials. Not only does it create a water-tight barrier, but it also adds durability and longevity to roofing systems.

Two of the most common roofing uses include built-up roofs (BUR) and modified bitumen roofing. BUR systems involve layering hot liquid asphalt over roofing felts and boards. Modified systems infuse the liquid asphalt with polymers to create a more elastic waterproof membrane.

Industrial Uses

Liquid asphalt has a number of industrial applications as well. Its chemical and water-resistant properties make an excellent protective coating. Some industrial uses include coating storage tanks, chemical containers, livestock feed silos, infrastructures, and more.

When applied over metal, liquid asphalt helps combat corrosion and rust to extend the lifespans of industrial equipment. Other niche industrial roles may include liquid asphalt for barn floors, workshop floors, and kennel runs as a durable and protective covering.

Advantages of Liquid Asphalt

After learning about the production process and applications of liquid asphalt, it’s clear it serves an important role across paving, construction, roofing, and industrial realms. Some of the notable benefits of using liquid asphalt include:

Durability

Structures built with liquid asphalt are remarkably durable. The waterproofing properties combined with the sticky binding effects produce robust infrastructure when mixed properly with aggregates. Asphalt roads for example have been engineered to withstand immense loading pressures and typically provide long lifespans with proper maintenance.

Customization

With various grades of liquid asphalt available, it allows for customization across many project types. The ability to select specific viscosity and temperature characteristics enables precise engineering for the expected loading or environmental factors the asphalt will experience.

Affordability

Compared to alternative pavement methods like concrete or pavers, liquid asphalt is an economical choice. Asphalt derived from petroleum byproducts eliminates the need for expensive concrete mixing and prep. The affordable cost makes it accessible for everything from private driveways to public highways.

Sustainability

Finally, liquid asphalt plays a role in sustainability efforts. Since it reuses some of the heaviest byproducts from oil refining, it helps reduce waste in the petroleum industry. Old asphalt pavement and roofing shingles can also be recycled and mixed with new liquid asphalt for rehabilitation projects.

With proper production methods and application techniques, liquid asphalt is designed to last for decades as a protective barrier across our infrastructure and buildings. The longevity offsets the continual need to manufacture new materials over shorter cycles.

FAQs

What is liquid asphalt made from?

Liquid asphalt is a byproduct of crude oil refining. It comes from the heaviest remnants of petroleum after the distillation process.

What is liquid asphalt mixed with to create asphalt pavement?

Liquid asphalt acts as the "glue" to bind together aggregates like gravel, sand, and stones. This mixture creates hot mix asphalt that can be paved for roads, driveways, walkways, etc.

Can liquid asphalt be used for purposes besides paving?

Yes, liquid asphalt has roofing and industrial applications as well. It can coat roofs as a protective waterproof membrane or coat equipment as durable, corrosion-resistant covering.

Why choose pave with liquid asphalt instead of just concrete?

Asphalt made with liquid asphalt binder is generally much more affordable than concrete. It still provides great durability for vehicular applications while allowing customization for specific projects.