If you’ve ever driven on a road that’s been newly paved, you may have noticed the black, tar-like substance that coats the surface. That’s asphalt binder, and it plays a crucial role in pavement construction and maintenance. This post will take a closer look at asphalt binder and how it’s used. We’ll also discuss some of its benefits and importance in asphalt services.
So, whether you’re a homeowner considering repairing or paving your driveway or just curious about what goes into building a road, read this blog post from the Action Asphalt team to learn the functions of asphalt binder.
What is Asphalt Binder?
Asphalt binder is a critical ingredient in asphalt pavement. It is a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that binds together the asphalt aggregate, which forms the asphalt pavement.
The asphalt binder plays a vital role in hot mix asphalt (HMA) and cold mix asphalt (CMA). In HMA, the asphalt binder binds the aggregates at high temperatures to create a solid and durable pavement. On the other hand, CMA uses asphalt emulsion, a mixture of asphalt binder and water. This type of asphalt is used for lower-traffic areas or as a temporary fix.
Asphalt binder is made up of bitumen, a by-product of crude oil refining. The asphalt binder is then mixed with other ingredients such as aggregate (stones or sand), filler, and additives to produce asphalt concrete.
Asphalt Binder Types
There are two types of asphalt binders:
- Polymer-modified asphalt: Polymer-modified asphalt is made with polymers that improve the performance of the asphalt binder, such as flexibility, adhesion, and resistance to cracking.
- Unmodified asphalt. Unmodified asphalt binders do not contain any additives.
Use of Asphalt Binder
Asphalt binders are used in asphalt pavement, which is made up of asphalt and aggregate. Asphalt pavement is commonly used for roads, parking lots, and driveways.
Asphalt binder is also used in concrete repair. When concrete cracks or crumbles, asphalt binder can be used to fill the voids and provide a new surface that is strong and durable.
Asphalt Binder Function
Asphalt binder serves a few critical functions in asphalt pavement. It acts as glue to hold together aggregate particles. It can protect the pavement from damage caused by water, sunlight, and chemicals. Also, asphalt binder provides flexibility to asphalt pavement, which helps the pavement resist cracking and crumbling.
If you are in the market for asphalt binder or any other paving material, be sure to consult Action Asphalt. We have provided quality products and services including asphalt services, concrete installation and repair, striping, and much more to residents and businesses in Stockton, CA, and the surrounding areas for over 20 years. Our team of experts is knowledgeable and experienced, and we are always happy to help our customers find the best paving solution for their needs.
Contact us today to learn more about our paving services!
