Over time, the asphalt surface of roads undergoes deterioration due to factors such as traffic, weather conditions (rain, frost, sunlight), and the effects of vehicle wheels, ice breakers, and other factors. To prevent the worsening of road surface damage, it is crucial to regularly assess the level of damage. Neglecting these issues can lead to the escalation of damage, affecting other layers of the pavement and ultimately resulting in complete destruction of the road.
The lifespan of asphalt depends on the quality of construction and the materials used, although heavy traffic and the frequency of vehicles passing over it also contribute to its durability.
To delay road damage, various road management and maintenance methods are employed. The selection of these methods depends on the extent and type of damage. Timely repairs and modifications to the asphalt surface prevent further deterioration and preserve not only the surface but also the base and sub-base layers.
By addressing asphalt surface issues promptly, financial losses and additional costs can be avoided. Instead of resorting to more expensive resurfacing methods, repairing the road surface can lead to significant savings in the budget.
Slurry Seal is one of the protective asphalts and one of the maintenance and restoration methods for the asphalt surface of the roads. Sil slurry mix is made of well-granulated and continuous, rough and clean materials without pollution, water, mineral fillers or additives that are uniformly combined with a type of bitumen emulsion. Mineral fillers such as Portland cement that has passed through a sieve of 200 in combination with bitumen emulsion, although it increases the time in the production process, but after spreading, it causes the water in the emulsion to be absorbed faster due to breaking it.
Sometimes, slurry seal is considered as a temporary surface covering, which is used to increase the life of the existing pavement by preventing the contact of oxygen and sunlight to the main pavement.
In order to have a good quality surface, it is necessary to make sure that the pavement is dry and clean, and before the implementation of slurry seal, all operations and restoration works have already been completed. In hot conditions as well as in the presence of sunlight, spreading a thin layer of water on the surface is necessary to control the early breaking time of the emulsion and improve the adhesion of the seal slurry with the existing pavement.
Regarding the time of execution in different weather conditions, it is better to execute Slurry Seal when the air temperature is at least 10 degrees Celsius and warming up, and there is no possibility of frost during the first 24 hours after its execution. It is also necessary to mention that during rain or when there is a possibility of rain before the emulsion is completely absorbed, the slurry seal should not be implemented. In hot weather, the minimum time it takes for the slurry seal to set is two hours, and the total time the slurry seal takes depends on factors such as ambient air temperature, humidity, and the type of bitumen emulsion used.
It will not be suitable to use slurry seal in the routes that need to open the road quickly to traffic.
Slurry seal is placed on the road surface in the form of a liquid to pasty slurry by special slurry seal machines. Emulsion bitumen breaks on the road surface and asphalt particles and materials stick to each other and form a resistant layer. The implementation of the protective coating of slurry seal does not increase the bearing capacity of asphalt and is only known as a coating layer. A small amount of water causes the mixture to harden and not stick to the previous surface, and a large amount causes it to become fluid before sticking to the road surface. The speed of the mixing machine can be from one to four kilometers per hour.
And finally, it is necessary to mention again the factors that affect the performance of slurry seal, including the amount of traffic, environmental conditions, existing pavement conditions, mixing plan and mixture quality, as well as how it is implemented. In this regard, it should be noted that flood slurry should not be used on roads that have a large traffic volume, because it is possible that the surface friction coefficient will decrease due to the use of fine-grained materials in rainy conditions. It should be noted that slurry seal will not perform well in places where the existing pavement is very cracked and has cracks, and it can be used only if there is a stable pavement with low intensity cracks.
The difference between slurry seal and microsurfacing is the presence of modified polymer emulsion bitumen in it, which increases the service life of the coating and of course increases its costs. The added polymer reduces the sensitivity to heat in the asphalt and corrects the softening point of the pavement, which increases its resistance compared to the slurry seal, usually the useful life of the slurry seal is between three to five years. If you follow all of the above and control the technical specifications, you can increase its useful life.
What procedures is the implementation of slurry seal suitable for?
1- Roads and streets whose pavement has not been completely destroyed and has not suffered from major defects and subsidence such as Susmari cracks and the like.
2- In procedures where bitumen and asphalt have been oxidized.
3- In the roads where the sand grains of the road surface are being removed and the road surface is too rough.
4- This method is effective for filling small cracks that cover the road surface, obviously, it cannot be effective for large and wide cracks.
5- This method is not recommended if the cracks are expanding rapidly and become deep cracks and are active and cause destruction or settlement of the surface.
6- It is recommended to use this method on roads with slippery asphalt.
Timely repairs to the asphalt surface can help prevent financial losses in several ways:
Cost-effective maintenance: By addressing minor issues and damage promptly, before they escalate into major problems, it is possible to perform cost-effective repairs. Small cracks or potholes, if left unattended, can worsen over time and require more extensive repairs or even complete resurfacing, which can be significantly more expensive.
Preventing further damage: Timely repairs can prevent the spread of damage to other layers of the pavement, including the base and sub-base. By addressing the initial signs of deterioration, such as cracks or localized surface wear, the underlying structural integrity of the road can be preserved. This helps avoid more extensive damage that may require costly reconstruction.
Enhanced lifespan of the road: Regular maintenance and timely repairs can extend the useful life of the asphalt surface. By addressing issues promptly, the overall deterioration of the road can be slowed down, reducing the frequency and scale of repairs needed over time. This not only saves money on immediate repairs but also delays the need for costly rehabilitation or replacement of the entire road surface.
Improved safety and reduced liability: Damaged road surfaces pose risks to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists. Timely repairs help maintain a safe road environment, reducing the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and potential legal liabilities. Costs associated with legal claims, insurance premiums, and compensation can be avoided by promptly addressing and repairing hazardous conditions on the road.
Minimized traffic disruption: Major repairs or resurfacing projects often require road closures or partial lane closures, resulting in traffic congestion and delays. By addressing issues early on, the need for extensive repairs and disruptive roadwork can be minimized. This helps maintain smooth traffic flow, reduces congestion-related costs, and minimizes the impact on businesses and commuters.
In summary, timely repairs to the asphalt surface help prevent financial losses by enabling cost-effective maintenance, preventing further damage, extending the road's lifespan, improving safety, reducing liability, and minimizing traffic disruption. By addressing issues promptly, the overall costs associated with road maintenance and repair can be significantly reduced.
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.