Bitumen in Drum Packing
WHAT IS BITUMEN ?
Bitumen, derived from crude oil, is a versatile substance with various forms and colors, ranging from dark brown to black. It is composed of hydrocarbons, obtained through natural precipitation of crude oil or distillation in refineries. In Europe, petroleum asphalt is commonly referred to as asphalt or asphalt cement, while in North America, the liquid binder is known as asphalt or asphalt cement. Additionally, asphalt can denote a naturally occurring mixture of organic liquids (crude asphalt) or the residue obtained from coal or petroleum distillation (refined asphalt). Bitumen, in its amorphous and cementitious state, presents itself as a black or dark-colored material, available in forms such as rock asphalt, natural asphalt, tar, and petroleum asphalt derived from oil.
THE HISTORY
The history of bitumen traces back many centuries, showcasing its remarkable versatility and significance to human civilization. One of the earliest mentions of asphalt can be attributed to the discovery of naturally occurring asphalt stones in France around 1712. Initially, this tarry material was simply formed into lumps and applied on local roads, proving to be an effective technique. Over time, advancements in technology and scientific understanding led to the refinement of asphalt. It was transformed into a powder form and heated before use, further improving its properties. As time progressed, the applications of asphalt expanded exponentially across diverse industries. Today, it finds extensive use in construction, flooring, roofing, underground pipes, metal shielding, reservoir sealing, canal and bridge construction, sand dune fixation, and even staining processes. This remarkable material continues to shape our world with its wide-ranging capabilities.
TYPES
Bitumen is divided into different types based on chemical composition, production method and different applications.
There are some important types:
Petroleum: This type of is produced from crude oil. Petroleum bitumen is the most common type and is used in the construction industry for making asphalt, insulation and sealing. This type has properties such as waterproof properties and high adhesion, which makes it a suitable material for use in structures resistant to weather factors.
Natural: This type of is obtained from natural bitumen deposits. Natural bitumen usually contains higher amounts of solids and is used to make asphalt and insulation. In the past, it was extracted from sources such as tar trees and deposits in the ground. But today, the extraction of is more limited.
Modified: This type of is modified by adding additives such as polymers and minerals. By adding these materials, the properties are improved and properties such as wear resistance, cracking resistance and water resistance are increased. This type is used as an advanced material in the construction industry and is suitable for use in buildings and infrastructures that require more special properties.
ASPHALT TYPES FOR VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION AND PAVING NEEDS
PENETRATION: Refinery asphalt, known as penetration grade asphalt, is produced in various viscosities. It undergoes a penetration test to determine its hardness, hence the name. Penetration asphalt is graded on a scale ranging from 15 to 450, with the most commonly used range being 25 to 200 for road asphalt. Achieving the desired hardness is accomplished by carefully controlling the distillation process and optionally blending the residual asphalt with oils to achieve the desired specifications.
EMULSION: Bitumen emulsion is a dynamic mixture comprising two immiscible liquids, namely asphalt and water. These two phases are stabilized by the addition of an emulsifier, which acts as a binding agent. In this emulsion, asphalt is dispersed in the continuous aqueous phase as tiny droplets, typically ranging from 0.5 to 5 microns in diameter. These droplets remain suspended in the emulsion due to the presence of electrostatic charges, creating a stable and homogeneous system.
CUTBACK: known as Liquid Bitumen, is a form of asphalt that is liquefied by dissolving it in a solvent. Common solvents used for this purpose include Naptha, gasoline, kerosene, and white spirit. The choice of solvent influences the curing time of the cutback asphalt, while the quantity of solvent used determines its viscosity. By adjusting the solvent type and amount, the desired curing characteristics and viscosity of the cutback asphalt can be achieved.
OXIDIZED: known as Blown asphalt, is created by subjecting the penetration grades of asphalt to a process where air is passed through it. This oxidation process imparts the asphalt with enhanced rubbery properties, resulting in a harder composition compared to its original form. Hard asphalt, when maintained within specific temperature ranges, finds diverse applications in various industries. It is commonly utilized as an anti-slip layer compound in the piling industry, for the production of roofing felts, in the roofing and waterproofing sectors, as sound dampening felts, and as an undercarriage sealant in the automotive industry. The unique properties of oxidized bitumen make it a versatile material for multiple applications.
POLYMER MODIFIED BITUMEN (PMB): Stands as a specially formulated asphalt grade engineered to meet the demands of high-performance pavement and road construction, particularly designed to withstand heavy-duty traffic and endure the harshest weather conditions. Additionally, PMB finds application in residential roofing solutions, offering superior durability and protection against extreme weather. Its unique composition, incorporating polymer additives, enhances the overall performance and resilience of the bitumen. Thus, PMB serves as a versatile material, not only for road infrastructure but also as a reliable sealant for residential roofing projects.
VISCOSITY GRADE (VG): Viscosity in the context of bitumen refers to the thickness or resistance to flow of bituminous materials, such as asphalt or tar. Bitumen is a highly viscous and sticky black or brown substance that is derived from crude oil during the refining process. Its viscosity is a key property that determines its suitability for various applications, especially in the construction and paving industries. Bitumen viscosity is influenced by several factors, including temperature, shear rate, and the type of bitumen.
PERFORMANCE GRADE (PG): Introduced through the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) in the US between 1987 and 1993, addresses the inadequacies of penetration and viscosity grading systems. Under the Superpave system, PG Bitumen is graded based on its performance in extreme temperatures, offering a comprehensive solution for modified and unmodified bitumens. This grading system ensures that asphalt binders possess suitable properties for the environmental conditions they will encounter in the field. The PG system classifies binders according to their performance in both hot and cold temperatures, allowing for selection based on expected climatic conditions, traffic speed, and volume adjustments. Utilizing a common set of tests, the PG system measures physical properties directly linked to pavement performance at service temperatures. Notably, acceptance limits remain consistent but must be met at specific pavement temperatures and traffic conditions.
CRUMB RUBBER MODIFIED BITUMEN: Is a type of bitumen that is modified with recycled crumb rubber obtained from scrap tires. This modification enhances the properties of conventional bitumen, making it more flexible, durable, and resistant to cracking and rutting. CRMB is produced by blending crumb rubber with bitumen at high temperatures to ensure thorough mixing and dispersion of the rubber particles. The resulting product has improved elasticity and resilience, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in road construction, including asphalt pavements, wearing courses, and seal coats. CRMB offers environmental benefits by recycling waste tires and reducing the use of virgin materials, making it a sustainable choice for infrastructure projects.
USAGE OF ASPHALT
Asphalt finds extensive utilization in the construction industry for the creation of asphalt roads and bituminous membrane products. It serves as a primary material for the construction of highways, motorways, and rail networks, offering durability and reliability. In addition to its application in road infrastructure, asphalt exhibits excellent water-proofing capabilities, making it a preferred choice for manufacturing roofing products. Its versatility extends beyond construction, finding usage in various household and industrial applications, such as emulsion paints and sound-proofing solutions. With its wide-ranging benefits, asphalt continues to play a crucial role in both infrastructure development and everyday life.
ASPHLAT FINDS VERSATILE APPLICATIONS IN VARIOUS DOMAINS
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Road, Runway, and Platform Construction: Asphalt is extensively used as a durable and resilient material in the construction of roads, runways, and platforms, providing a smooth and reliable surface for transportation and infrastructure.
- Waterproofing: Its excellent waterproofing properties make asphalt a popular choice for preventing water seepage, whether it’s for roofs, basements, or other areas where water intrusion needs to be effectively managed.
- Mastic Floorings: Asphalt-based mastic floorings are commonly employed in factories and industrial settings, offering a robust and resistant surface that can withstand heavy machinery, chemical spills, and high foot traffic.
- Canal Lining: Asphalt is utilized for canal lining, acting as a protective layer that prevents erosion and ensures the longevity of the canals, enhancing water management and reducing seepage.
- Dump-Proof Courses: In masonry construction, asphalt serves as a reliable dump-proof course, preventing moisture from penetrating the structure and compromising its integrity.
- Tank Foundations: Asphalt provides a stable and secure foundation for tanks, offering a durable base that can withstand the weight and demands of the tank structure.
- Joint Filling Material: Asphalt’s flexibility and ability to accommodate movement make it an ideal choice for filling joints in various structures, such as roads, bridges, and pavements, ensuring longevity and minimizing damage caused by shifting or settling.
- Insulation: Is used to insulate tanks, pipes and industrial structures. The waterproof properties of bitumen make it resistant to water and moisture and help prevent leakage and water penetration.
- Sealing: Is used for sealing buildings, bridges and civil structures. The waterproof properties of bitumen make it resistant to water and moisture and help prevent water penetration and damage caused by it.
- Making containers: Is used to make containers such as pipes, barrels and chemical containers. The chemical properties of bitumen make it resistant to chemicals and help prevent corrosion and chemical change of containers.
Due to these applications, bitumen is a widely used and important material in the construction industry, oil and gas industry, and chemical industry, which plays an important role in creating stability and long life of structures and products. With its wide range of applications, asphalt plays a crucial role in the construction, infrastructure, and maintenance sectors, providing durability, protection, and reliability in diverse settings.
THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF BITUMEN
ADVANTAGES
- High adhesion: It has a high adhesion property that sticks well to different surfaces. This adhesive property allows to provide strong and stable joints.
- Hardness: It is a hard material and has significant resistance to wear and pressure. This hardness property allows to withstand impacts and repeated use and prevent premature wear and tear.
- Water resistance: It has a high resistance to water and moisture. This property of water resistance allows to be used in wet and even wet environments and prevents water penetration and damages caused by it.
- Corrosion resistance: It has significant resistance to many chemicals. This property of corrosion resistance makes it able to resist contact with various chemicals and prevent premature corrosion and chemical change.
- Durability: Due to its mechanical and chemical properties, it is highly durable and can be used for a long time. This feature makes the product used as a stable and reliable material in various applications.
DISADVANTAGES
- High flammability: This product has high flammability and may ignite easily in case of contact with heat sources or fire conditions. Therefore, in cases where it exposed to heat or fire, special caution and attention to safety must be observed.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Production and use processes may result in greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide. This release can lead to climate change and environmental change. Therefore, in the use of it, there is a need to control and manage these greenhouse gas emissions to minimize and reduce environmental impacts.
In general, it used in many industries and applications with its advantages and properties such as high adhesion, hardness, resistance to water and corrosion, and durability. However, it is necessary to pay attention to its disadvantages when using it and take necessary measures to control and manage flammability and emission of greenhouse gases.
