Bitumen, which is a residual product of direct distillation of oil, which is characterized by high strength, elasticity and wear resistance, is particularly popular during road construction and repair. When carrying out road works, viscous and liquid bitumen compositions can be used. Each of the classifications has individual indicators, brands, and functional features. The article will take a closer look at the technological characteristics of liquid bitumen, approaches to working with brands of liquid bitumen, their features and basic functionality.
General classification of liquid bitumen
Liquid bitumen itself is a hydrocarbon raw material for construction purposes, which acts as a binding component during the creation and repair of roadways and sidewalks.
Depending on the rate at which the desired working structure is formed, liquid bitumen is divided into compositions that thicken at an average rate (SG) and slow-thickening bitumen (MG), which are produced by liquefaction of viscous road bitumen and MGO, the production of which involves residual petroleum products or involves the process of their oxidation.
Each type of liquid bitumen has individual grades, which differ from each other in terms of viscosity. Thus, medium-thickening bitumen is defined by modifications - SG 40/70, SG 70/130 and SG 130/200. The MG bitumen class is divided into MG 40/70, MG 70/130 and MG 130/200, in turn, MGO has the following types of compositions - MGO 40/70, MGO 70/130 and MGO 130/200. The numerical value in the abbreviation of the name of liquid bitumen for road works determines the optimal index of the conditional viscosity of the composition according to a viscometer with a hole of 5 mm, when The temperature is within +60°C.
How to choose the right brand of liquid bitumen?
To choose the necessary brand of liquid bitumen, you should rely on what kind of work will be carried out with the composition. So, in order to carry out major repairs or create a new lightweight road surface, compositions of liquid bitumen with an average curing rate are used. In addition, SG bitumen is versatile in use, as it can be used in any road climate zone, creating a high-quality road surface. However, in order to repair or lay road surfaces in the II-V road climate zone, it is recommended to use MG and MGO formulations.
Features and advantages of classes of liquid road bitumen
Liquid bitumen for road construction works are compounds that require heating. The peculiarity of their preparation for operation is that the heating of the compositions is carried out by steam and an individual heating temperature is provided for each of the brands. Thus, the temperature range from +70°C to + 80°C is suitable for medium-thickening and slow-thickening grades of bitumen 40/70. At +80 to +90°C, bitumen SG 70/130 and MG of the corresponding grade acquires working properties. At a temperature of at least +90 ° C, but not more than +100 ° C, the compositions necessary for application acquire the consistency - SG and MG /130 /200 and all grades of bitumen MGO.
After the liquid bitumen is brought to an optimal temperature and applied to the work area, they create a high-strength and wear-resistant coating that is resistant to loads, precipitation, does not allow cracking, the formation of pits, potholes and other defects that interfere with the safe operation of road and sidewalks.