What is soluble bitumen and what are its types? What are the uses of these bitumens and in what cases are they used? In general, bitumen is one of the most practical materials that are used in many industries due to its unique characteristics such as excellent adhesion, high water impermeability, etc.
There are countless types of these materials, among which liquid bitumen or liquid bitumen is one of the bitumen that is dissolved in a petroleum solvent and provides you with numerous features, applications and capabilities.
What is soluble bitumen
Bitumen is a black to dark brown hydrocarbon substance that dissolves in carbon sulfide and carbon tetrachloride. Bitumen consists of various compounds such as naphthalene, polycyclic aromatic compounds, polar aromatic compounds such as phenol, saturated hydrocarbons, and heterocyclic compounds, and they have different types; As:
Petroleum bitumen
blown bitumen
natural bitumen
bitumen emulsion
And…
In the meantime, soluble bitumen is a type of bitumen that is dissolved in a petroleum solvent. This material is divided into three main categories, which are:
- Precocious
Light solvents such as gasoline, naphtha, etc. are used to produce RC quick-setting bitumen, which stands for Rapid Curing. This item itself can include 4 different types of RC-70, RC-250, RC-800 and RC-3000.
It should be noted that the higher the amount of bitumen solvent, the more fluid the received material will be; Accordingly, RC-70 is the most fluid and RC-3000 is the stiffest type of soluble bitumen.
- Retarder
Medium Curing Soluble Bitumen or MC is a type of bitumen that uses semi-heavy solvents such as kerosene in their production, and its solvent evaporates more slowly compared to gasoline and naphtha.
This bitumen is also divided into the following 5 categories based on its kinematic viscosity value and also based on centistokes:
MC30
MC70
MC250
MC800
MC3000
The lower the solvent content of these materials, the smoother the bitumen will be. These bitumens are also produced based on the ASTMD 2027m-13 standard and are used in various industries.
- Late
SC or Slow Curing Soluble bitumen is another type of soluble bitumen that uses heavy solvents such as diesel, fuel oil or black oil in their production. Of course, under normal conditions, these solvents do not evaporate and only change their molecular shape.
These bitumens can also be divided into 4 main categories based on the amount of solvent, kinematic viscosity and centistokes available. Also, the higher their solvent content, the more fluid the received bitumen will be.
SC70
SC250
SC800
SC3000
What are the most important applications of soluble bitumen?
As we said, for the production of each type of soluble bitumen, different solvents are used, each of which has different physical and chemical characteristics and is used in different situations and places to achieve different goals. Among the most important applications of soluble bitumen are the following:
- Use in protective asphalt
- Bituminous coating and single-coat coating
- Binder dust and mulch spraying
- Use in single-layer and multi-layer asphalts
- Continuous granulation and immediate and non-immediate staining
- Sand seal lining and sealing lining with stone materials
- Fog Seal granular-free sealing coating and Primakt penetrating coating on surfaces with low porosity
And…
How to run
Since soluble bitumens have more fluidity compared to other types of bitumen, special equipment and special tools must be used to use them, the most important of which are:
Paint rollers
Paint guns
Paint brushes
Special shutters
And…
What is the difference between emulsion bitumen and soluble bitumen?
Soluble bitumen and emulsion are very similar in terms of appearance; For this reason, they are often confused. But the most important difference between these two products is their type of solvent.
As we said, soluble bitumens are produced in petroleum solvents; On the other hand, water solvent is used to produce emulsion bitumen. This issue causes special differences between them. Some of the most important differences between these two bitumen products can be summarized as follows:
- The price of emulsion bitumen is lower than solution bitumen.
- Emulsion bitumen is less resistant to freezing and cold.
- The flammability of emulsion bitumen is lower than solution bitumen.
- Emulsion bitumen is more environmentally friendly.
- The way to use emulsion bitumen is easier and less expensive than soluble bitumen.
- The use of emulsion bitumen, unlike soluble bitumen, is unimpeded in wet and humid conditions and high humidity.
- The storage time of emulsion bitumen is limited, but soluble bitumen has a longer storage period and does not require circulation.
The price of soluble bitumen
Various factors have an effect on the price and rate of soluble bitumen. This issue makes it impossible to give a specific price for it. However, among the most important factors influencing the final price, we can point out things like the following options:
- Applications of bitumen
- Manufacturer
- Supply and demand
- Exchange rate and its fluctuations
- Bitumen type and its technical specifications
- Physical and chemical properties of bitumen
And…
The final conclusion
Soluble bitumen is a type of bitumen that uses petroleum solvents in its production. These bitumens are divided into three main categories of quick-setting bitumen, slow-setting bitumen and slow-setting bitumen according to the amount of solvent evaporation, and each of them can have many industrial and non-industrial characteristics, applications and capabilities.
ATDM CO is a reputable manufacturer and exporter of Bitumen 60 70 and Bitumen 80/100. We specialize in offering high-quality bitumen products in various packaging options, including drums, bags, and bulk quantities. Our product line consists of three distinct quality grades: premium, second, and third types. Each grade is produced with meticulous attention to detail, utilizing advanced facilities and processes.
Our diverse range of options is designed to cater to the specific needs and volume requirements of our customers. Whether you require a smaller quantity for a specific project or a larger bulk order, we have the flexibility to accommodate your demands.
At ATDM CO, we prioritize product quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Our bitumen 60/70 is manufactured to meet international standards, ensuring optimal performance and durability in various applications. Currently, we have supplies in three countries of the United Arab Emirates (Dubai), Panama and Singapore are available. We take pride in delivering exceptional products that meet the diverse needs of our valued customers, both domestically and internationally.