Bitumen
Bitumen, also known as asphalt, is a black, viscous material obtained from refining crude oil. It is the most abundant form of hydrocarbon existing naturally in the world and is the primary ingredient used in making asphalt concrete, which is used in making roads.
Bitumen was first discovered in 1820 by a French chemist, Eugene Chardon, who identified it as a mixture of organic compounds. Since then, it has been used as a binding material in many industries, including construction and engineering. Bitumen is composed of a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It is a non-solid crude oil that has been heated and distilled to form a viscous liquid or semi-solid form.
Bitumen has a wide range of applications, such as roofing, waterproofing, pavements, and asphalt emulsions. It is used in asphalt pavements to bind asphalt and aggregate particles together, in roofing to increase waterproofing, and in sealants to improve the flexibility of roofs, walls, and foundations. Bitumen is also used in engineering to make road surfacing materials, coatings, and adhesives.
Bitumen can also be used to create asphalt concrete, which is a combination of bitumen, aggregates, and water that is laid on the surface of roads and highways. It is often used as a waterproofing material on foundations and basements, as it seals out water and improves the ability of the structure to resist damage from weather and other external forces. Bitumen is also used to build roads, pavements, and other infrastructure.
Bitumen is a byproduct of the distillation process from crude oil refining. Its composition and properties vary significantly depending on the type of crude oil from which it is refined. It can be obtained in two forms: a cutback, which is liquid bitumen blended with a petroleum distillate, or a polymer modified bitumen (PMB), which is a combination of bitumen and synthetic polymers.
The properties of bitumen make it a useful material to many industries. Its non-solid consistency and waterproofing abilities, along with its strength and toughness make it useful in construction, engineering, and other industries. Its viscosity also makes it a useful binder in asphalt emulsions and sealants.
Bitumen is a natural product obtained from crude oil, and its availability and affordability make it an important material for many industries. It is a renewable source of energy, and its properties and applications are continuously being improved. As more technologies are developed to use it in more industries and applications, its value will further increase, making it a material of great importance.
