Difference Between Asphalt and Bitumen | What Is Asphalt | What Is Bitumen | Type & Uses of Asphalt & Bitumen

Difference Between Bitumen and Asphalt

Abitumen-sealed road has a layer of bitumen sprayed and then covered with an aggregate. This is then repeated to give a two-coat seal. Asphalt is produced in a plant that heats, dries and mixes aggregate, bitumen and sand into a composite mix.

Uses of Bitumen

The primary use (70%) of asphalt is in road construction, where it is used as the glue or binder mixed with aggregate particles to create asphalt concrete. Its other main uses are for bituminous waterproofing products, including production of roofing felt and for sealing flat roofs.

Types of Asphalt

There are three main types of asphalt: Hot Asphalt, MC Cold Mix, and UPM. There are also different varieties of these asphalts for summer and winter use.

Asphalt Vs Bitumen

Bitumen is actually the liquid binder that holds asphalt together. The term bitumen is often mistakenly used to describe asphalt. A bitumen-sealed road has a layer of bitumen sprayed and then covered with an aggregate. Asphalt results in a smoother and more durable asphalt road surface than a bitumen-sealed road.

Uses of Asphalt

The primary use (70%) of asphalt is in road construction, where it is used as the glue or binder mixed with aggregate particles to create asphalt concrete. Its other main uses are for bituminous waterproofing products, including production of roofing felt and for sealing flat roofs.

What Is the Difference Between Asphalt and Bitumen?

The word “asphalt” is instead used to refer to asphalt concrete, a mixture of construction aggregate and asphalt itself (also called “tarmac” in common parlance). “Bitumen” refers to the liquid derived from the heavy-residues from crude oil distillation.

Is Asphalt and Bitumen Same?

Bitumen is actually the liquid binder that holds asphalt together. The term bitumen is often mistakenly used to describe asphalt. A bitumen-sealed road has a layer of bitumen sprayed and then covered with an aggregate. Asphalt results in a smoother and more durable asphalt road surface than a bitumen-sealed road.

What Is Asphalt Made Of?

Asphalt, black or brown petroleum-like material that has a consistency varying from viscous liquid to glassy solid. It is obtained either as a residue from the distillation of petroleum or from natural deposits. Asphalt consists of compounds of hydrogen and carbon with minor proportions of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen.

What Is the Percentage of Bitumen in Asphalt?

Using just asphalt, as in hot mix, the percentage would be 100%. For emulsions you should check with supplier, but the range is typically 55-70% asphalt.

Difference Between Asphalt and Bitumen

Asphalt is a composite of aggregates, sand, and bitumen; where bitumen acts as a liquid binding material that holds asphalt together. To make things simple, we can relatively say asphalt is concrete (mixture) while bitumen is cement (binder) for pavements.

Asphalt Vs. Bitumen: Which Is Better?

Yet, when you look at the cost efficiency and lifespan of the two, asphalt comes out as the winner. Asphalt generally has a thicker layer of 25-40 mm whereas bitumen has a layer with a thickness of 10-20 mm. This is one of the reasons why asphalt has a longer lifespan.

Key Distinctions: Asphalt and Bitumen

Asphalt and bitumen are two related materials commonly used in construction and paving applications. While they are similar in some ways, there are key distinctions between them:

Composition:

• Asphalt: Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates (such as crushed stone, sand, or gravel) and a petroleum-based binder called asphalt cement. The aggregates provide strength and stability, while the asphalt cement acts as a binder that holds the mixture together.
• Bitumen: Bitumen refers to the black, viscous, and sticky form of petroleum that is often used as a binder in asphalt. It is a byproduct of crude oil refining and is primarily composed of hydrocarbon molecules.

Usage and Applications:

• Asphalt: Asphalt is commonly used in road construction and paving projects. It is also utilized for parking lots, driveways, airport runways, and other surfaces that require durability and resistance to heavy traffic.
• Bitumen: Bitumen is mainly used as a binder in asphalt mixes to hold the aggregates together. It is also utilized in the production of roofing materials, waterproofing products, and sealants. In some regions, bitumen may be used directly as a surfacing material for roads.

Consistency:

• Asphalt: Asphalt is typically a solid material at room temperature but becomes more fluid when heated during the paving process. It
  can be compacted and shaped when hot, and it solidifies as it cools and cures.
• Bitumen: Bitumen is highly viscous and sticky, even at room temperature. It has a thick, tar-like consistency that makes it difficult to handle or work with without heating.

Benefits of Using Asphalt Over Bitumen

Asphalt is the Most Cost-Effective

You can expect to get 5-10 years from a road where bitumen has been used while you get a staggering 20 + years from an asphalt road! Additionally, an asphalt surface only requires periodic maintenance, saving you both time and money!

Comparing Properties: Asphalt and Bitumen

Asphalt pavements are durable; with a layer depth of 25-40 mm and life span of 20+ years. Bitumen pavements are less durable; with a layer depth of 10-20 mm and lifespan of 5-10 years. Surface made of asphalt is smoother and more skid-resistant, ensuring the driver’s safety and minimal noise.

Asphalt Bitumen

Asphalt and bitumen are terms that are often used interchangeably, especially in the context of road construction and paving. While there is a distinction between the two, they are closely related:

• Asphalt: In the construction industry, the term “asphalt” is commonly used to refer to the finished product used for road surfaces and other applications. Asphalt is a mixture of aggregates (such as crushed stone, sand, or gravel) and a petroleum-based binder called asphalt cement. The aggregates provide strength and stability, while the asphalt cement acts as a binder that holds the mixture together. Asphalt is typically produced by heating the asphalt cement and combining it with the aggregates in a mixing plant. It is applied and compacted as a hot mixture and solidifies as it cools and cures.
• Bitumen: Bitumen, also known as asphalt or asphalt binder, is the raw, unprocessed form of the binder used in asphalt mixes. It is a black, viscous, and sticky substance derived from crude oil during the petroleum refining process. Bitumen is primarily composed of hydrocarbon molecules and has a thick consistency. It is heated and mixed with aggregates to produce asphalt.

Bitumen Uses

Bitumen (sometimes referred to as asphalt or tar) is a specialist fuel grade that can be used in applications such as road surfacing, roofing and certain types of paint. It is a unique form of petroleum that we could not live without.

What Is Asphalt?

Asphalt refers to a mixture of aggregates (such as crushed stone, sand, or gravel) and a petroleum-based binder called asphalt cement. It is a commonly used material in construction, particularly for road paving and surfacing.

What Is Bitumen?

Bitumen, also known as asphalt or asphalt binder, is a thick, black, and highly viscous substance derived from crude oil. It is a byproduct of the petroleum refining process and consists primarily of hydrocarbon molecules. Bitumen is commonly used as a binder in asphalt mixes to hold the aggregates together.

What Is the Difference Between Asphalt and Bitumen?

Asphalt generally has a thicker layer of 25-40 mm whereas bitumen has a layer with a thickness of 10-20 mm. This is one of the reasons why asphalt has a longer lifespan. You can expect to get 5-10 years from a road where bitumen has been used while you get a staggering 20 + years from an asphalt road!

What Is Asphalt Used For?

What is asphalt made of? It is a binder mixed with an aggregate creating asphalt cement that binds the stone, sand, and gravel, resulting in the pavement for our roads and highways. A small percentage of asphalt is used in waterproofing, sealing, and insulation products.

What Is Asphalt Paving?

▪ A composite material commonly used. in the construction of road, airport and. parking lot pavements. ▪ Consists of graded mineral aggregate. coated and bound together with asphalt cement/binder.

What Is Asphalt Millings?

Asphalt milling (also called pavement milling) refers to grinding and removing the topmost layer of asphalt pavement. This is often done to keep pavement from getting too high from years of asphalt resurfacing and also prevents drainage problems.