bitumen emulsion
about bitumen emulsion
Bitumen emulsion is a liquid mixture of tiny bitumen droplets, water, and an emulsifying agent. This makes it a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional hot bitumen, as it can be applied at lower temperatures. The emulsifier prevents the bitumen and water from separating, creating a stable, usable produc
types of bitumen emusion
Cationic (C): The most common type. The bitumen droplets have a positive charge and are attracted to the negatively charged surfaces of most aggregates, leading to better adhesion and faster setting.
Anionic (A): The bitumen droplets have a negative charge. They are used with aggregates that have a positive charge.
Non-ionic: The droplets have a neutral charge. These are used less frequently in road construction.
By Setting Time
This classification refers to how quickly the emulsion breaks, or separates, into its water and bitumen components.
Rapid Setting (RS): These emulsions break quickly upon contact with aggregates. They are ideal for applications like chip seals and surface dressings.
Medium Setting (MS): These emulsions have a moderate breaking time, allowing them to be mixed with coarse aggregates before application. They are used for cold mix asphalt and patch repairs.
Slow Setting (SS): These emulsions break very slowly. They provide enough time to be mixed with a high proportion of fine aggregates, making them suitable for slurry seals and soil stabilization.