Asphalt is used in a wide variety of applications. Its durability and performance depend on factors like the amount of traffic, temperature, and weather conditions.
There are different types of asphalt, each with its advantages for specific applications. Understanding the differences in asphalt pavement is essential for making the right choice for your project.
Hot Mix
Hot mix asphalt is the most popular pavement type in commercial and residential asphalt paving near me projects. It is mixed with aggregate and bitumen at high temperatures, allowing the mixture to be poured and compacted quickly. This allows construction crews to finish a road project quickly, reducing traffic delays and eliminating bumper-to-bumper conditions.
When properly designed and constructed, HMA pavements are extremely strong and durable. They can often be laid over a base course that supports and protects the underlying materials, and they can support heavy vehicle loads for decades without requiring reconstruction.
WMA is produced by incorporating water-based, organic, or chemical additives into asphalt binder during asphalt plant production. These additives can reduce the temperature of the asphalt mixture, allowing it to be transported and laid at lower temperatures. This is more environmentally friendly than the traditional mixing method and transporting asphalt at higher temperatures. This technology can also reduce the amount of fossil fuels and other materials used to produce asphalt.
Dense-Graded
Asphalt is a durable, strong, and flexible material used to build roads, highways, and parking lots. It is also known for reducing noise and vibrations from traffic. In addition, asphalt is an economical choice for paving because it can be constructed in stages. This allows for the base course of the pavement to be constructed and placed under traffic before the final surfacing is applied. This helps improve on-site conditions, prevents mud and debris from getting in the way of construction, and minimizes the cost of hauling materials.
Dense-graded HMA is a well-gradated aggregate that floats in a matrix of asphalt cement and screenings/fines. When properly designed and constructed, dense-graded HMA is relatively impermeable and works well for all pavement layers and traffic conditions.
Stone-Matrix
Stone-Matrix Asphalt (SMA) was developed in Europe in the 1960s to resist studded tire wear.
SMA’s deformation resistance stems from a coarse aggregate skeleton that provides good stone-to-stone contact. A rich binder mortar containing fine aggregates, bituminous binder, and mineral filler contributes to SMA’s durability.
SMA can be modified at the asphalt terminal by adding shredded tire rubber (GTR) in up to 12 percent of the mixture. This reduces fiber content and eliminates the need for cellulose fibers to prevent the drain-down of the asphalt binder, saving an estimated $7.50 per ton in material cost. This makes SMA a more economical alternative to traditional dense-graded HMA.
Cold Mix
A cold mix asphalt is an excellent option for people who need to do small-scale repairs like crack filling or patching potholes. This type of asphalt is also ideal for use in winter when temperatures are too low to work with hot asphalt mixes.
The most significant benefit of using cold asphalt is that it doesn’t need to be heated. This is a massive advantage since it means you can repair your asphalt in almost any weather.
It’s also much more affordable than hot mix asphalt, which makes it a good choice for budget-conscious people. You can even get cold asphalt in single bags if you only need a small amount.
Another benefit of using cold asphalt is that it’s environmentally friendly. You don’t need to use gas-powered equipment to heat the material, which reduces emissions. It’s also easy to use, as you can open the bag and pour it directly into the area that needs to be repaired.
