Asphalt Cement, Asphalt Cutbacks, Emulsified Asphalt
Asphalt Cement, Asphalt Cutbacks, Emulsified Asphalt
Bituminous binders can be classified into three general groups: asphalt cement, asphalt
cutbacks, and emulsified asphalt. Blown asphalt and road tars are also other types of
bituminous material that now are not used commonly in highway construction.
1. Asphalt Cements
Asphalt cements are obtained after separation of the lubricating oils. They are semisolid
hydrocarbons with certain physiochemical characteristics that make them good
cementing agents. They are also very viscous, and when used as a binder for aggregates
in pavement construction, it is necessary to heat both the aggregates and the asphalt
cement prior to mixing the two materials. The particular grade of asphalt cement has
been designated by its penetration and viscosity. Asphalt cements are used mainly in
the manufacture of hot-mix and in a variety of ways, including the construction of
highways and airport pavement surfaces and bases, parking areas, and industrial floors.
The specific use of a given sample depends on its grade.
2. Asphalt Cutbacks
The asphalt cutbacks are slow-curing asphalts, medium-curing cutback asphalts, and
rapid-curing cutback asphalts. They are used mainly in cold-laid plant mixes, road
mixes (mixed-in-place), and as surface treatments.
Rapid Curing Asphalt (tack coat); Rc, Produced by blending asphalt cement with an
oil distillate that will easily evaporate, thereby facilitating a quick change from the
liquid form at time of application to the consistency of original asphalt. – Gasoline or
naphtha is used as the solvent. Specifications for the use of these asphalts are given in
AASHTO.
Medium Curing Asphalt (prime coat); Mc, Produced by fluxing or cutting the
residual asphalt (120‐150 penetration) with light fuel oil or kerosene (harden faster than
Sc and similar in consistencies). The fluidity of Mc depends on the amount of solvent
in material.
Slow Curing Asphalts; Sc, Can be obtained directly as slow-curing straight run
asphalts through the distillation of crude oil by cutting back asphalt cement with a
heavy distillate such as oil ( lower viscosity than asphalt and very slow to harden).
Slow-curing asphalts usually are designated as SC-70, SC-250, SC-800, or SC-3000.
Where, the numbers relate to the approximate kinematic viscosity in centistokes at 60
C0. Specifications for the use of these asphalts are no longer included in AASHTO.
3. Emulsified Asphalts
Emulsified asphalts are produced by breaking asphalt cement, usually of 100 to 250
penetration range, into minute particles and dispersing them in water with an
emulsifier. They remain in suspension in the liquid phase as long as the water does not
evaporate or the emulsifier does not break. Asphalt emulsions therefore consist of
asphalt, which makes up about 55 to 70 percent by weight, water, and an emulsifying
agent. Emulsified asphalts are used in cold-laid plant mixes and road mixes (mixed in-
place) for several purposes, including the construction of highway pavement.
Asphalt
Water
Emulsifying agent
Polymers
Stabilizers
Coating improvers
Airstrips
Break control agents
Based on set rate of asphalt emulsions are classified into four categories:
4. Blown Asphalts
Blown asphalt is obtained by blowing air through the semisolid residue obtained during
the latter stages of the distillation process. Blown asphalt generally is not used as a
paving material. However, it is very useful as a roofing material, for automobile
undercoating, and as a joint filler for concrete pavement.
5. Road Tars
Tars are obtained from the destructive distillation of such organic materials as coal.
Their properties are significantly different from petroleum asphalts. In general, they are
more susceptible to weather conditions than similar grades of asphalts, and they are
rarely used for highway pavements. They are classified into three general categories
based on the method of production.
The properties of asphalt materials used for pavement construction can be classified
into four main categories:
1. Consistency
2. Aging and temperature sustainability
3. Rate of curing
4. Resistance to water action
1. Consistency
The consistency properties of an asphalt material usually are considered under two
conditions: (1) variation of consistency with temperature and (2) consistency at a
specified temperature.
For different types of asphalt and under specific temperature, the consistency may be
differed according to type of asphalt.