Mastic asphalt is a dense building material used for paving and roofing. It is impermeable due to its high bitumen concentration and is resistant to water, chemicals, pests, and flames. Its disadvantage is its petroleum content and difficulty in working with high temperatures.
Mastic asphalt is a building material that is used for paving, roofing and paving. It is similar to traditional concrete asphalt in that it forms a very dense solid surface material under medium temperature conditions. When exposed to extremely high temperatures, mastic asphalt forms a thick liquid substance that can be poured or spread over a surface.
The main difference between poured asphalt and asphalt concrete lies in the level of permeability of each material. Asphalt concrete is quite permeable under most conditions, allowing water to seep through. The mastic versions are virtually waterproof and can be used in applications where resistance to moisture is a primary concern.
The impermeability of mastic asphalt can be attributed to its high bitumen concentration. Bitumen is a byproduct of petroleum refining and is used as a binder in asphalt products. The bitumen content in mastic mixes is typically double that found in cement asphalt, which helps bind the particles more tightly to keep water out.
In addition to bitumen, poured asphalt also consists of aggregates. This aggregate can include sand, gravel or many other different types of stone products. Polymer compounds and pigments are often added to add color to the material or to increase strength and durability. European manufacturers often add a material known as lake asphalt to their mastic mixes. Lake asphalt is a naturally occurring mineral that is similar to bitumen and helps further bind aggregate particles together.
Mastic asphalt is used to pave streets, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. It is often applied to residential and commercial roofing structures due to its superior waterproofing capabilities. This material can be used to cover floors in factories and other industrial facilities, especially those subject to frequent spills or high amounts of chemical use. Mastic asphalt is also used to line holding tanks in order to prevent leaks over time.
This material offers many benefits to builders and homeowners. It is impervious to water and most chemicals and is resistant to pest and insect damage. It is also very strong and durable and can be expected to last for decades in many common applications. Like other asphalt products, mastic mixes are virtually flame retardant and can be easily recycled to avoid negative environmental impacts.
One major disadvantage of this material is that it contains petroleum products in the form of bitumen. Not only does bitumen have a noxious odor in many cases, it can also produce dangerous fumes long after it is installed. Finally, like all asphalt products, mastic can be difficult to work with due to the high temperatures that must be maintained when laying this material.
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