Asphalt is a compound made from hydrocarbons derived from the waste material left over from the production of gasoline, kerosene, and diesel. It is used for road construction, roofing, and patching worn roadways. Asphalt is also used in recycling programs to make sidewalk and wall materials. Its binding capabilities and longevity make it a popular choice for various applications. The word asphalt has Greek origins, meaning to prevent something from falling or collapsing.
Most of us are familiar with asphalt. We see it used on our roads, as a covering for jogging paths and often as the material of choice for parking lots. Here are some facts about how it’s made, as well as some examples of the different types used today.
While we often refer to the road coating we know as asphalt, the fact is that the substance would more accurately be referred to as an asphalt compound. Asphalt itself is a mixture of hydrocarbons that is heated to the consistency of tar. Depending on the amount of heating, it can take on a relatively solid state or take on the consistency of a thick liquid. With some uses, such as in road construction, the semi-solid form is mixed with other elements such as crushed stone, sand or gravel to form the compound used to provide cover on highways and city streets.
The hydrocarbon material used to create asphalt is actually derived from the waste material left over from the production of gasoline, kerosene and diesel. Essentially, it is a byproduct of the residue that is left behind after the more desirable components of crude oil and petroleum have been harvested. One of these byproducts, bitumen, is sometimes referred to as asphalt oil.
In addition to being derived from petroleum and being an essential binding element in the surfacing used for roads, asphalt has been used to patch or cover a worn roadway, such as a city street. Furthermore, heated to a high temperature, it forms the basis for the construction of asphalt and shingle roofing, used for years to make the roofs of houses safer and more water-repellent. By heating the material to the proper temperature and then adding cement to the mix, asphalt concrete is also obtained.
There are some recycling programs that are now using asphalt along with rubber chips made from old tires to make sidewalk and wall materials, similar to the way concrete has been used for years. The binding capabilities of this material are probably the most important aspect of the substance, along with the fact that once applied, it takes a long time to wear off.
Interestingly, the word asphalt has some Greek origins, with a rough translation of the term to prevent something from falling or collapsing. Certainly the asphaltenes that have been used for our roads prevent the collapse of the roads from daily use, as well as protect the roofs of many structures from collapse due to atmospheric conditions. Asphalt caulking was used in the past to fix leaks in boats and ships, and while the use of shingles made from it is on the decline, they’re still the roofing of choice for many homeowners.
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