Asphalt is the most popular and most common pavement material used around the world - and for good reasons. It’s safe, versatile, durable, reusable, and relatively affordable, among other advantages.
However, not all asphalt mixes are the same. There are different types of asphalt you might encounter and they each serve different purposes, and for that, a varying level of quality.
There are five common types of asphalt, and today, we’ll give you a quick explanation about each of them. Let’s start.
Of all the asphalt types available, hot mix asphalt is the most commonly used on roads, pavements. It is a flexible mix of fine and coarse aggregate and asphalt binder, which produces a highly weather-resistant pavement.
Hot Mix Asphalt is heated and poured at temperatures of about 300 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. While it’s easy to work with while it’s hot, it cools down very quickly, thus needing a high level of expertise in its application.
Warm Asphalt Mix is a relatively new technology in the asphalt industry. This type of asphalt is heated at 30 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, lower than Hot Mix Asphalt.
It is almost the same as the Hot Mix Asphalt, but due to its temperature, it cools down slowly and can be applied even during colder months, thus extending the paving season. It can also be transported for longer distances without compromising on its quality and can be applied more effectively due to its relatively easier and safer application.
Warm Mix Asphalt allows us to use less fuel and release fewer greenhouse gases, making it cost-efficient, safer for the environment, and safer for the workers.
As the name suggests, this type of asphalt is often used while cold. This type of mix is only suitable for temporary patching of areas with light and minimal traffic since it is not nearly as strong as hot mix asphalt. It’s useful for temporary repairs of small areas when the outside temperature is not suitable for a hot mix asphalt.
When a more permanent fix becomes available, cold mix asphalt can be removed, stockpiled, and used again at a later date.
A Dense-Graded mix is a well-graded hot asphalt mix that is commonly used for general purposes. It is suitable for all pavement layers and for all traffic conditions. It offers great performance for structural, friction, leveling, and patching needs.
Dense-Graded Mixes can be classified as either fine-graded or coarse-graded.
This type of Hot Asphalt Mix is highly impermeable when used properly, giving it extra durability and protection against cracks and potholes.
Porous asphalt is a type of pavement that allows water to drain through the pavement, into the underlying stone recharge bed, before it slowly infiltrates into the soil. This is often used in parking lots, driveways, playgrounds, and sidewalks.
This type of asphalt offers great functionality to improve safety, manage stormwater, and eliminate the need to deal with water puddles. It also helps the environment by reducing demands on sewer systems while recharging local aquifers. When installed properly, porous asphalt can last for more than 20 years.
Knowing which asphalt to use based on your specific needs can spell the difference between failure and success. By understanding the different types of asphalt, their uses, and their advantages, you can now identify which will work best for your property.
We at Erickson Asphalt Services will choose which asphalt to use based on your unique situation to provide you with the best product possible. Our 30 years of experience as the leading driveway company can help you pick and properly install the type of asphalt that can serve you best for years to come.
