Asphalt is a durable and versatile material used in pavements worldwide. It is also found in roof linings, soundproofing construction and water-resistant coatings.
In order to meet the requirements of various paving applications different asphalt mixes are made. The most common mix is hot mix asphalt. It is produced in an asphalt plant and kept at high temperatures until it’s ready for paving. You can hire asphalt suppliers to carry out your projects with a guaranteed durable material.
Roads
It is the binder that holds aggregate materials together and is what makes paved roads possible. It’s poured over crushed rock, sand and gravel or slags to create asphalt concrete, the kind that carries cars, trucks, buses and trains across the country.
It’s also used for lining fishponds, water reservoirs and sports fields. It’s nontoxic, flexible and waterproof, making it an excellent choice for constructing these types of structures. Some companies even use recycled asphalt in new construction projects to reduce costs and save the old material from landfills.
Parking Lots
Asphalt is used for parking lots because it’s a durable material that resists wear and tear. It’s also cost-effective and doesn’t require extra time to cure, which is important for businesses that need to get back on the road as soon as possible.
Asphalt has good resistance to abrasion, puncturing and chemical damage. It’s also stiff and able to handle applied pressure from motor vehicles, and its flexural strength prevents damage that occurs from contrasting stresses.
Asphalt can be used in various forms to meet specific requirements. Hot mix asphalt is the most common, and it can be customised to suit traffic conditions. It can also be used as a cold mix or an emulsion.
Sports Fields
Asphalt is used for a variety of sports fields and running tracks. Because asphalt can withstand heavy loads and weather conditions, it is the ideal surface for these types of projects.
It is also commonly found in airport runways and aircraft handling areas. These surfaces must have good resistance to puncturing and fuel, as well as skid resistance. The best asphalt for this application is mixed with additives to provide the needed properties.
The main ingredient in asphalt is petroleum crude oil. It is known by other names, including bitumen and tar. It is a black, sticky substance that can be solid at air temperatures, or liquid when heated. It is among the oldest building materials and has been in use since ancient times.
Waterproofing
Asphalt is used extensively for road surfacing but it also makes up the base course of many other projects. These include canal and reservoir linings, dam facings, harbour and sea works. It is also used for construction of airport runways, taxiways, footpaths and driveways.
Asphalt has many advantages over other paving materials. It speeds up construction, is environmentally friendly and provides a smooth and quiet ride. In fact, highway engineers around the world choose asphalt to pave roads because it is a sustainable and durable material for constructing pavements.