The asphalt raw materials used for preparing asphalt mixtures mainly include the following types, each with different characteristics and uses.

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1. Petroleum asphalt

• characteristic

Petroleum asphalt is the residue of various light oils (such as gasoline, kerosene, diesel, etc.) and lubricating oils extracted from petroleum (crude oil) through distillation and other methods, or the product obtained through further processing.
Petroleum asphalt is a mixture composed of various hydrocarbons and a small amount of non-metallic derivatives (such as oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen elements, etc.), which has good viscosity, heat resistance, plasticity, and durability.Its technical properties are superior to coal tar pitch, making it the most widely used in engineering.

• Purpose

Mainly used for road construction, such as asphalt pavement laying on highways, urban main roads, and airport runways.
It can also be used as waterproof, moisture-proof, and protective materials, and has a wide range of applications in fields such as construction, tunnels, and subways.
It can also be used as a sealing material and adhesive, as well as a raw material for asphalt coatings.

Asphalt plant is the special machinery used for producing asphalt mixture.

2. Coal tar pitch

• Characteristic

Coal tar is the asphalt obtained by processing coal tar obtained from coal dry distillation.
Compared with petroleum asphalt, coal tar pitch has poorer temperature stability and greater temperature sensitivity. It is prone to softening and flowing in summer and brittle in winter.

Its plasticity is also poor, and it is prone to cracking due to deformation.

• Purpose

Coal tar pitch is mainly used for preparing anti-corrosion coatings, adhesives, waterproof coatings, ointments, and making oil felt.

Coal tar pitch may also be used in some occasions where the requirements for asphalt performance are not particularly high, such as the construction of some low-grade roads or auxiliary facilities.

3. Other types of asphalt
In addition to petroleum asphalt and coal tar pitch, there are also types of emulsified asphalt, modified asphalt, etc., each with unique characteristics and uses:

• Emulsified asphalt

lotion formed by crushing asphalt into tiny particles and dispersing them in water. It has good fluidity and workability, suitable for the construction of asphalt mixtures at room temperature, such as asphalt surface treatment, prime coat, adhesive layer, etc.

• Modified asphalt

Asphalt made by adding an appropriate amount of modifier (such as polymer, rubber, etc.) to the asphalt. Modified asphalt has better high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, and durability, making it suitable for road construction in heavy-duty traffic, high-temperature and rainy areas, or low-temperature and cold regions.

In summary, different types of asphalt raw materials have their own unique characteristics and uses in the preparation of asphalt mixtures. The choice of which type of asphalt raw material to use mainly depends on specific engineering requirements and construction conditions.