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Applications of Bitumen

Today, more than 250 different applications have been identified for bitumen across agriculture, construction, industry, road building, and many other fields. In this article, we examine the uses of various types of bitumen in different applications.

Applications of Bitumen:

Although modern bitumen products are of very high quality, their primary uses remain similar to those of the past: waterproofing, adhesion, and protective coatings. Today, bitumen has more than 250 different applications across agriculture, construction, industry, road building, and other sectors. This section examines the applications of different types of bitumen.

The majority of bitumen produced in Iran and worldwide, often referred to as natural bitumen, is used in road construction, where it acts as a binder in asphalt. The second-largest application is in building construction, primarily as a roofing and waterproofing material.

Estimates indicate that global bitumen consumption reaches approximately 102 million tons per year, of which around 85% is used in road construction. Among these, 60/70 penetration grade bitumen is the most commonly applied. Over 10% of natural bitumen is used in construction and as a waterproofing material, while the remainder is used for various purposes such as sealing, insulation, and pipe coating.

Key Applications of Bitumen:

۱)Bitumen and Emulsion Applications in Road and Airport Pavements:
1. Surface overlays
۲. Penetration macadam
۳. Cold machine mixes
۴. Sealing with slurry mixtures
۵. Surface coatings
۶. Reinforcement coatings
۷. In-situ soil stabilization
۸. Dust control

۲) Petroleum Mulches – Usage Methods:
۱. Stabilization of sandy soils
۲. Protection of airports and facilities
۳. Construction mulches
۴. Agricultural mulches
۵. Artificial rain production
۶. Road and railway mulches
7. Insulation mulches

۳) Bitumen as Protective Coatings for Concrete Sewer Pipes

۴) Bitumen in Polymer-Modified Waterproofing Systems


Bitumen Chemistry
The chemical composition of bitumen has not yet been fully identified. However, the main components separated from bitumen using various solvents include asphaltenes, resins, and heavy oils, sometimes accompanied by small amounts of mineral matter. These components exist together in an oily colloidal environment.The flexibility and adhesive properties of bitumen are primarily attributed to resins. An increase in asphaltene content results in harder bitumen, while a higher proportion of oils makes bitumen softer. When bitumen is heated, oily components convert into resins, and resins further transform into asphaltenes. Excessive heating causes bitumen to decompose into carbon and water vapor.