Bitumen:Applications and its types

Bitumen is an inexpensive material, it is widely used to make flexible pavements. It is used to reduce the cost and durability of roads.

Bitumen is an existing binding material in asphalt. Sometimes it is also called mineral tar. Bitumen is made by partial distillation of crude petroleum.

Bitumen is chemically a hydrocarbon and insoluble in water. It contains 87% carbon, 11% hydrogen and 2% oxygen (by weight). It is produced in a solid or semi-solid state and in black or brown color.

Application Of Bitumen:

Road and Highway Construction.
Runway construction.
Hydraulics & erosion control Catchment areas, basins.
Dam groutings.
Dam linings.
Embankment protection.
Dam linings.
Embankment protection.
Ditch linings, Reservoir linings.
Reservoir linings.
Jetties, Dyke protection.
Dyke protection.
Swimming pools.
Waste ponds.
Water barriers.
Mattresses for levee & bank protection.
Membrane linings,
Waterproofing.
Revetments.
Sand dune stabilization.
Drainage gutters.
Backed felts.

Types of Bitumen:

The general forms of bitumen are as follows:

1. Bitumen Emulsion:

It is a liquid compound that comprises a large amount of bitumen in the aqueous medium. It is suspended by some suitable stabilizing agents in the aqueous medium.

2. Cut-back Bitumen:

This form of bitumen is produced by fluxing asphaltic bitumen in the existence of some liquid distillates of petroleum or coal tar. Cut-back bitumen can be utilized as bitumen paint in cold.

3. Blown Bitumen:

Blown Bitumen is a special form of bitumen produced by passing air under pressure at a high temperature. This type of bitumen can be utilized as heat insulating material, roofing and damp-proofing felt, producing asphalt pipe and joint fillers, etc.

4. Plastic Bitumen:

It consists of bitumen thinner and appropriate inert filler (40%-45%). Plastic bitumen can be utilized for filling cracks in masonry structures, stopping leakages, etc.

5. Straight Run Bitumen:

Straight run Bitumen is acquired by distillation of the bitumen to a definite viscosity or penetration without further treatment.