Asphalt can be found everywhere, from parking lots to airplane runways to driveways. It’s one of the most popular construction materials, especially in the United States. So, how is asphalt made and why does everyone use it?
What is Asphalt Made Of?
Asphalt is mostly made of crushed rock, sand, or gravel. These aggregates are commonly bound together with bitumen, a viscous form of petroleum that acts as a solid when cooled, but can start to melt at high temperatures. These materials together create asphalt, but it isn’t as simple a process as just mixing them together. It requires specific knowledge and skill to pull it off.
How is Asphalt Made?
Here are the general steps to make asphalt:
- Refining Crude Oil: By heating crude oil, the components separate with the heavy materials at the bottom and the lighter materials floating to the top.
- Making the Bitumen: The heavy residue left after refining the oil is taken and refined even more to create bitumen. This can include other processes like removing impurities.
- Mixing the aggregates: Now it is time to mix the rock, sand, or gravel with the bitumen. How you do this will determine the final product:
- Hot Mix Asphalt: The components are heated and mixed at high temperatures. This is used for large projects like parking lots.
- Cold Mix Asphalt: The components don’t need to be heated at high temperatures for this process. Cold Mix Asphalt is best used for repairs and other small projects.
Benefits of Using Asphalt
Asphalt is used everywhere because it is a tried and true construction material. It’s durability, lifespan, and budget-friendliness make it the perfect material for roadways, driveways, parking lots, airplane runways, and more. Asphalt is also quicker to install and is able to be used sooner after installation than other materials like concrete.
Your Asphalt Experts in Minnesota
The Asphalt Company is your asphalt expert in Minnesota. We offer customized solutions for driveways and parking lots, skilled technicians, high-quality materials, competitive pricing, and anything else you might need for your asphalt project. We can help your home or business have more curb-appeal and functionality so that it feels welcoming and beautiful.
FAQs
What is bitumen?
Bitumen is a thick, sticky form of petroleum that acts as the binder in asphalt. It behaves like a solid once cooled but begins to soften and melt at high temperatures, which is what allows the aggregates to be mixed and laid.
What is the difference between hot mix and cold mix asphalt?
Hot mix asphalt is heated and mixed at high temperatures, making it the right choice for large jobs like parking lots and driveways. Cold mix asphalt does not require that high heat, so it works best for repairs and smaller patch jobs.
Why is asphalt used more than other paving materials?
Asphalt offers a strong combination of durability, long lifespan, and lower cost, which is why it shows up on roadways, driveways, parking lots, and even airplane runways. It is also faster to install than materials like concrete.
Can you drive on asphalt soon after it is installed?
Asphalt can generally be used sooner after installation than concrete, which is one of the reasons property owners choose it. Your paving contractor will confirm the exact timeline based on the project size and weather conditions.
If you need a new driveway or parking lot, or if you need asphalt repairs, The Asphalt Company is here to help. Contact us today with any questions or a quote!