As a construction material, Bitumen has unique properties that ensure certain advantages over other construction materials. According to the best wholesale bitumen suppliers in India, here are why Bitumen is so much preferred in road construction.
1. Production of Bitumen is economical
Bitumen is a by-product of the crude oil distillation process. Crude oil is composed of hydrocarbons. The primary products are diesel, petrol, high-octane fuels, and gasoline. When the fuels are refined from the crude oil, Bitumen is left behind. Also, further treatment of by-products gives out pure Bitumen. Since the demand for the primary product is high, Bitumen, as a by-product, has survived for a long. Therefore, this by-product is used as a new construction material without going for any other resource.
2. Physical & Rheological Properties of Bitumen Offer Versatility
The physical and chemical properties of Bitumen are a function of the factors like load level, temperature, and duration of loading. According to the best wholesale bitumen suppliers in India, it is a thermoplastic and viscoelastic material. The bitumen mix can be varied based on the calculation of the stress levels. The versatility of Bitumen enables variation in the bitumen mix depending on the application on the road.
3. The Melting Point of Bitumen is Perfect
This is one of the best and most advantageous factors of Bitumen. It has a perfect melting point. Thus, it helps with surface dressing and enhances the resistance. The melting point of Bitumen is 120-150 degree Celsius. It is not too low to get melted easily. Therefore, it would not let the casted road pave to melt easily and deform under high temperatures. According to the best wholesale bitumen suppliers in India, in the areas of higher temperatures, Bitumen can help to cover up the effects of high temperatures on roads and pavements.
4. Bitumen can be Recycled
Since the melting point of Bitumen is not too high, it can be melted to bring it back to its original form. This is known as the asphalt recycling process. The torn-up asphalt pieces are taken back to the recycling plant instead of sending back to the landfills. The recycled mix can be reused. If needed, the old Bitumen is mixed with new Bitumen and the new aggregates to make the mix useful again.
5. Bitumen has Adhesive Nature
Bitumen gets freed from hydrocarbons during its production. Therefore, it is not toxic. Bitumen, as a by-product, is refined to get rid of organic materials and impurities. As per the best wholesale bitumen suppliers in India, it has a highly adhesive nature. Thus, it keeps the materials in the road mix to stay together under strong bonds. These become stronger when the mix is ready for vehicle movement.
6. Bitumen has Color Variations
Traditional Bitumen is black. This is due to the dense organic material within Bitumen is black. Now, when specific pigments are added to Bitumen, you can obtain the color that you want. These are coloured Bitumen. It is costlier than the normal coloured Bitumen. The disadvantage of coloured Bitumen is that it needs more chemical additives and materials.
The Different Types of Bitumen According to the Wholesale Bitumen Suppliers in India
1. Plastic Bitumen –
It is used to stop leakages and fulfil cracks in masonry. It is thinner and a suitable filter in plastic form.
2. Bitumen Emulsion –
It is a mixture of Bitumen, water, and an emulsifying agent. This is in liquid form created in aqueous medium and stabilizing agents. There are three varieties of bitumen emulsion. They are slow setting, medium setting, and rapid setting based on the stability offered by the emulsifying agent. It can be easily applied at ambient temperature and mixing it with aggregates for road work starts the binding process. The color change from brown to black shows the binding, and it can be used for road repairs and soil stabilization.
3. Straight Run Bitumen –
According to the best wholesale bitumen suppliers in India, it refers to Bitumen distilled to a specific viscosity to be used without any further treatment like heating. It is achieved by controlling the temperature and the rate of flow during the processing.
4. Blown Bitumen –
This is produced by heating till it becomes a liquid and then passing air under pressure through which the volatile compounds can be forced out. It is in solid form and has a high softening point. Thus, even if it is exposed to sunlight for a long time, it will not melt.
5. Residual Bitumen –
As per the best wholesale bitumen suppliers in India, the residual Bitumen is obtained as a residue during the installation of high resin petroleum. It is a solid substance at a normal temperature.
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