Asphalt is a mixture of alumina, silica, lime, asphaltic bitumen. It is high in use in different commercial uses the most common being the construction of roads. The upper surface of the roads that you see contains asphalt. We begin this article by knowing what natural asphalt is and then have a look at the various types of it followed by some of the commercial uses of asphalt in the different industries.
Let's begin…
So what is natural asphalt?
Many of you must have seen or known what Asphalt is but may not be aware what natural asphalt is. You see this is directly extracted from nature. The two of the most common areas where you can find them are lakes and rocks. Depending on the type of asphalt there is a certain amount of bitumen in it. And the more bitumen it contains the richer and more highly valued the asphalt is considered.
Normally the ones that are extracted out of lakes and rocks contain anywhere between 40 to 70% of bitumen in them. This is first boiled to melt it down and then the impurities are separated one by one to ensure that the bitumen concentration increases to some more extent possible. The final product that you obtain once the purification stage is over is used in the different commercial processes such as in road-making.
The asphalt used in the construction of the roads contains around 10 to 15% of bitumen. It also has a calcareous matter on top of it. The rocks are crushed and then heated at high temperatures and once the thing cools it solidifies making it tougher. This is also used for paving tiles.
So when the distillation process of crude petroleum with an asphaltic base is going on, residual asphalt is obtained. In the next section, we have a look at the various forms of asphalt.
Let's begin…
Types of asphalt
Cutback asphalt
This is the liquid state. When you dissolve asphalt in a highly volatile solvent-you get this form. It is helpful and comes as an important ingredient in different items such as manufacturing bituminous paint, and for repairing roofs, etc.
Asphalt emulsion
There are three things that you need to make this. One is of course the main ingredient that is asphalt. The other two are water which is almost 50 to 60% in the remaining mixture and it also has 1 percent of an emulsifying agent. The use of the emulsifying agent works as a waterproof film and ensures that it remains moist even after the water has evaporated. This is especially used for different commercial purposes in the colder regions.
Asphalt cement
When you put natural asphalt to immense high pressure and temperature you can get this form of cement. It is widely used as a raw ingredient in the construction of floors, roofs and acts as a naturally waterproof material.
Mastic asphalt
This is a form of asphalt that you obtain is by allowing the natural form of asphalt to mix with sand and some minerals which are used as filler substances. This impermeable matter has several voids in it. Different varieties of this form can be easily achieved by controlling the heating process. It can even be bought to its solid-state through immense heating. This is ideal damp-proof material and finds its use in different damp resisting coatings.
Conclusion So, as you can see from the above that there are many uses of asphalt. Of course, on the top comes its use as a road construction material but then it also finds its use in the concrete, paint, and various electrical industries.
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