All About Bitumen Products: Types and Uses in Construction and Road Building

Bitumen products are the backbone of modern infrastructure, a petroleum-based material that offers strength, flexibility, and waterproofing, making it ideal for building durable roads and resilient structures.

Its unique adhesive and water-resistant properties make it indispensable in construction, whether binding aggregates in asphalt pavements or protecting surfaces from moisture damage.

Rua Seguridad offers several bitumen products, each engineered for specific uses and performance advantages. By understanding each offering, project managers can choose the right material for the job, whether it’s constructing a new highway or sealing a pavement crack.

Understanding Types of Bitumen 

In road construction, understanding different types of bitumen is essential for optimal results. Rua Seguridad’s comprehensive range of bitumen building materials addresses specific project requirements, 

Their products are meticulously engineered to handle diverse applications, including highways, urban roads, and specialized facilities like airports and seaports. Discover more about the many bitumen concrete uses that help shape resilient infrastructure.

Overview of Rua Seguridad’s Bitumen Products

Rua Seguridad provides several types of bitumen, each optimized for specific applications:

Paving Bitumen 

These are high-quality petroleum-grade bitumen used primarily in hot mix asphalt for constructing asphalt pavements. The 60/70 grade is ideal for high-traffic roads due to its additional strength and quick-drying properties, enabling faster project completion. 

An added advantage of 60/70 is its relatively faster setting time; it “cooks” and cools more quickly, allowing road projects to be completed and opened to traffic sooner. This fast curing can translate to shorter construction closures and less traffic disruption.

The 85/100 grade is a slightly softer grade designed for cold climates or high-altitude areas where lower temperatures prevail. Its special formulation retains heat longer during paving, giving crews more workable time to compact and shape the asphalt before it hardens.

The result is a pavement that is properly formed even in cooler conditions. Roads built with 85/100 bitumen exhibit excellent durability and longevity, as this grade remains somewhat flexible in cold weather (reducing the risk of cracking).

Coating Bitumen

Designed for coating applications, these bitumen products provide cost-effective binding and waterproofing solutions. 

Cutback is bitumen diluted with a petroleum solvent (like kerosene) to reduce its viscosity. By making the bitumen more fluid, it penetrates porous surfaces more easily. 

Rua Seguridad’s cutback bitumen provides a protective bitumen coating that shields the underlying layers from water ingress, thereby strengthening the pavement structure. The lower viscosity also means it can be sprayed or brushed on with ease, ensuring uniform coverage and faster project completion.

On the other hand, bitumen emulsion is a mixture of bitumen, water, and emulsifying agents, where tiny globules of bitumen are suspended in water. It allows the binder to be applied in liquid form at ambient temperatures. 

The emulsion improves the bond between old and new asphalt, ensuring the layers act as one and preventing delamination. Rua Seguridad’s emulsions are formulated for stability and adherence with various aggregates at normal temperatures

Once applied, the water in the emulsion gradually evaporates (or “breaks”), leaving behind a pure bitumen film that glues the layers together. Using emulsions and cutbacks appropriately leads to more durable, water-resistant roads with fewer maintenance needs.

Oxidized Bitumen 

Oxidized bitumen (also known as blown asphalt or asphalt sealant) is a specialized product created by processing bitumen through air-blowing at high temperatures. This process yields a rubberized, semi-solid bitumen with unique properties: it’s harder and more heat-resistant than regular paving bitumen yet remains flexible over a wide temperature range.

Rua Seguridad’s oxidized bitumen 115/15 is formulated as an asphalt sealant for sealing pavement cracks and concrete joints, as well as for various industrial applications. By using oxidized bitumen to fill cracks or coat joints, contractors can keep pavements water-resistant and durable, preventing water from penetrating the road structure.

Cold Mix Asphalt

Rua Seguridad’s Cold Mix Asphalt is an innovative pothole repair product that combines select aggregates and bitumen in a ready-to-use formula. Unlike traditional hot mix asphalt, which requires heating equipment and must be applied at high temperatures, cold mix asphalt can be used straight from the container without heating. This product is a form of cold-applied bitumen mixture designed for quick, convenient road repairs.

One major benefit is the ease of application: no special machines or skilled crews are needed.  The cold mix is simply poured or shoveled into the damaged area, compacted by hand tamper or even vehicle tires, and that’s it; the road can be reopened immediately.

There’s no curing time required for cold mix asphalt; once compacted, it’s ready for traffic on the spot. This rapid usability is invaluable for busy urban streets or highways where prolonged closures are not feasible.

For a clearer understanding of how cold mix asphalt compares to traditional asphalt materials, explore our comprehensive guide on bitumen vs asphalt.

Quick Reference Guide for Choosing Bitumen

Choosing the right product depends on your specific bitumen use. Here’s a quick comparison to guide your choice effectively:

With every choice, consider the materials’ compatibility and long-term behavior under stress and weather exposure. For high-traffic or critical locations like airports and ports, road works safety must also guide your bitumen selection.

Why Choose Rua Seguridad’s Bitumen Products?

Our bitumen products offer unmatched reliability, consistency, and tailored solutions optimized for each project’s unique requirements. 

Our superior bitumen formulations ensure:

• Enhanced Longevity: Our products demonstrate proven resistance against environmental wear, traffic stress, and climate variability, ensuring roads and structures remain durable and functional for years.
• Superior Performance: High-quality bitumen products significantly enhance overall pavement stability and integrity, ensuring smoother rides, increased safety, and reduced wear on vehicles.
• Cost Efficiency: Our optimized formulations, combined with precise application guidelines, help lower total lifecycle costs by reducing maintenance frequency and extending the lifespan of infrastructure assets.
• Sustainability: Our products support environmental stewardship through reduced emissions during application and enhanced recyclability, contributing positively to sustainable construction practices.
• Comprehensive Support: Rua Seguridad provides exceptional customer service and expert technical support, ensuring clients receive tailored solutions and hands-on assistance from initial selection through application.

Explore our complete range of bitumen supplies and discover precisely how our products outmatch conventional alternatives in the market.

Partner with Rua Seguridad for Lasting Infrastructure

Rua Seguridad’s specialized bitumen products deliver unparalleled value by integrating advanced technologies, stringent quality standards, and precise application methods. We deliver exceptional solutions that precisely meet your project requirements, ensuring superior performance, safety, and long-term cost savings.

Experience the difference in quality, reliability, and performance. Choose Rua Seguridad’s bitumen products for your next road construction project and secure a durable, dependable future for your roads.

For tailored solutions and expert advice, reach out today. Rua Seguridad is ready to partner with you in building roads that last.