Bitumen emulsion specific weight, weight of one liter

In the construction and road construction industry, bitumen has long proven its value. It is used as a binder, but in its natural state this substance is very viscous and cannot perform its direct function. To make it liquid, three methods are used:

• heating to 200 degrees;

• dilution with solvents, namely petroleum refining products;

• emulsification by mixing bitumen with water and special emulsifiers that prevent the liquids from separating.

Since the first method harms the environment and is highly uneconomical because of the energy needed to maintain the required temperature, and the second is expensive and hazardous to health, this article focuses on the third method: bitumen emulsion.

Composition and Properties of Bitumen Emulsions

Bitumen emulsion is a homogeneous mixture of two substances that do not dissolve in each other: bitumen and water. Surfactants added to the emulsion during preparation prevent bitumen particles from combining. The percentage of latex as a binder in the emulsion allows the properties of bitumen to be changed in one direction or another.

By preparation method, emulsions are divided into:

• direct type, where bitumen particles are dispersed in water; this type is used more often;

• reverse type, where water particles are evenly distributed in bitumen.

By the percentage of bitumen in the composition:

• saturated emulsion, more than 70%;

• concentrated emulsion, from 40% to 70%;

• low-concentration emulsion, where the bitumen share is below 40%.

The second and third categories are the most in demand.

The emulsion is used under normal conditions and does not pose a threat to human health or the environment. After application, bitumen emulsion penetrates well into all pores and surface irregularities, dries quickly due to water evaporation, and the bitumen covers the surface with a strong layer.

If the emulsion composition is made correctly and all technological standards are followed, it does not spread but is quickly absorbed by the filler. The use of bitumen emulsions can reduce bitumen consumption in road construction by almost 30%. At the same time, the average specific weight of bitumen emulsion is 1.05 kg/dm3.

Compared with conventional bitumen mastics and pure bitumen, these qualities of the innovative material open up a much wider range of use. In addition to road construction and roof repair, emulsions can be used indoors when arranging bathrooms, baths, pools and waterproofing various structural joints.