Chapter: 10

Asphalt, Bitumen, Tar and

Miscellaneous Materials

Er. Saurav Shrestha

Kantipur Engineering College
 10.1 Type, Properties and Uses of
Asphalt, Bitumen and Tar
Asphalt materials:
It is extensively used in road construction &
also used in building construction in the form of
timber preservatives, as water proofing material.
Bitumen:
It is defined as non crystalline solid or viscous hydrocarbon material having
adhesive properties & derived from petroleum either by natural or refining
process.
They occur naturally but are usually made as end product from fractional
distillation of crude petroleum oils.

Properties:
It is solid or semi-solid, black in colour & is sticky.
It melts or softens as application of heat.
It is completely soluble in carbon-disulphide.
It is binder in all types of asphalt.

Uses:
Used as road making materials.
Used in damp proof coarse (DPC).
Since it forms good expansion joint, it is used for filling up the joints in leaky roof.
It is employed in manufacture of water proofing materials, paints etc.
Tar:
Tar is one of the bituminous material obtained during the destructive
distillation of coal, peat, wood or other organic material.

Types:
1. Coal tar:
It is produced by destructive distillation of coal or as by product in
manufacture of coal gas.
2. Mineral tar:
It is produced by distillation of bituminous shales. It contains less
volatile matter.
3. Wood tar:
It is produced by distillation of pure & resinous tree. It contains
creosote oil & hence possesses strong preservative property.
Properties:
It is black or dark-brown in colour.
Contains 75-95% of bituminous contents.
Contains high % of carbon.
Hardens quickly than asphalt.
More adhesive than asphalt.

Uses:
Used for roofing & road making.
Used for making bituminous paints & water proof
compound.
Used as preservative for timber.
Asphalt:
Asphalt is a variety of bituminous material. It is the combination of an
organic matter & inorganic mineral matter which is chemical compound of
carbon & hydrogen. Thus asphalt may be defined as a natural or an artificial
mixture in which bitumen is associated with inert mineral materials.
Uses:
Properties: Used as DPC (Damp Proof
It is sticky & binds strongly as Course)
Used for preparing paints &
cement. roofing felts.
It is usually solid or semisolid Used in road construction.
in state. Used for preparing electric
It is black brown in colour. insulating materials.
It is water proof & elastic. Asphalt cement:
When air is blown through melted
It becomes plastic & workable asphalt at high temperature, the asphalt
when heated. is oxidized & the resulting product is
It is highly ductile which is plastic in nature known as asphalt
not seriously affected by cement.
weather.
Types:
Straight run bitumen:
The bitumen which has been distilled to a definite viscosity ρ
further treatment during processing by regulating rate of flow &
temperature bitumen from very soft to very hard consistency grade can
be produced. This bitumen is mostly used for road construction.
Air blow bitumen:
Some special properties can be developed in semi-solid bitumen by
blowing air through the bitumen still in hot condition. This bitumen
sometimes called oxidized bitumen. This bitumen isn’t used in paving
mixes but used as roofing materials, battery box, water proofing &
used as cracked & joints filler in concrete pavements.
Liquid Biumen
Cut-back bitumen:
Cut back is defined as a bitumen whose viscosity is maintained by
addition of volatile diluents such as gasoline, kerosene etc. Cut
backs are manufactured in three groups from rapid curing, medium
curing, and slow curing.

Emulsion:
Emulsion is combination of water, bitumen & emulsifying agent.
Bitumen doesn’t dissolve in water but when heated, bitumen & water
are mixed together & agitated, the bitumen disperses in water in the
form of spherical globules. To prevent bitumen spheres from
coagulation, an emulsifying agent is added. Mostly soap is used as
an emulsifying agent.
Emulsion may be classified as rapid setting, medium setting
& slow setting.
Rapid setting (10-30 mins)
Medium setting (30-60 mins)
Slow setting (2-24 hrs.)
Emulsion makes possible to carry out constructional work
practically in any weather above 0⁰ temperature & they
spread better over the surface of the material.

Emulsion can be used for soil stabilization patch repair

works of bituminous work. It can be used in wet
condition & doesn’t require heating.
 Introduction to asphalt concrete & properties:
 Asphalt or asphalt concrete is a natural or artificial mixture in
which bitumen is associated with inert minerals like sand,
gravel & crushed stone.
 It is available in natural state or can be prepared artificially. In
natural form, it is found as lake asphalt & rock asphalt. It is found
mixed with stone or rock in natural state. So it is crushed & check
for proper ratio. If not in required ratio, it is adjusted as required &
used as final product.
 For manufacturing artificially, the quantity of bitumen
aggregate & filler materials are checked & adjusted. Then
bitumen, aggregate & fillers are graded separately. It is heated &
then mixed in proper ratio. The hot mixed asphalt concrete is
spread & compacted generally 5-8% of bitumen is added by
weight in asphalt concrete. Asphalt concrete must be designed to
meet the mechanical properties such as strength in tension &
compression, shear, bending etc. & sufficient stability in time.
 Introduction to asphalt concrete & properties:
Properties:
Resistance to deformation & fatigue resistance
Resistance to low temperature cracking
Durability
Resistance to damage due to moisture
Workability
Skid resistance
# Test of asphalt cement as bitumen:
Penetration test:
This test is to determine the hardness of bitumen. This test
consist of a needle of standard dimension which is loaded by a 100
gm weight & made to penetrate vertically in bitumen at 25 ⁰C for a
period of 5s. Penetration is measured in units of 1/100 cm.
The bitumen is graded according to the penetration. It is written as
30/40, 60/70, 80/100. Generally 80/100 grade is used which means the
penetration of needle varies from 0.8 – 1cm.
Softening point test:
This test is done to determine temperature susceptibility of
bitumen. The test is done by ring & ball equipment.
The softening temperature is that of which a ball on bitumen
will flow vertically for 2.54 cm through the ring. This
temperature for usual bitumen lies between 35⁰C – 70⁰C.
# Test of asphalt cement as bitumen:
Ductility test:
This test is carried out to determine the ductility of the bitumen. A standard
briquette of bitumen is prepared & stretched at standard temperature at pre-
determine rate in ductilimeter. The distance of stretched of briquette before it
breaks determines the ductility of bitumen.
Ductility varies from 50 cm to 100 cm for satisfactory in road
pavement.
Solubility test:
Impurities shouldn’t be more than 1%.
Loss on heating test:
Heat about 103⁰C, 50 gm for 5 hours in oven.
Difference in weight before & after heating
shouldn’t be more than 1% by weight.
Water content test:
Distillation
Difference in weight should not be more than 0.2%
 10.2 Types, properties and uses of glass
Depending upon the chemical composition, glasses can be classified
into the following types:
 Silica Glass (Fused Silica):
 It is made from commercially pure SiO2 which contains 96%-99.9%
silica. It is characterized by high melting point, low coefficient of
thermal expansion & high chemical resistance. This type of glass is
suitable for laboratory works.

 Soda-Lime Silica Glasses:

 It contains 15-25% Na2O & CaO. This type of glass is widely used
in the manufacture of glass containers, flat glass, domestic
wares, electrical lamps, bulbs etc.
 10.2 Types, properties and uses of glass
 Borosilicate Glasses:
 It is better thermal shock resistance & chemically durable as it
contains boric oxide (B2O3) & Al2O3. These are used in
laboratory, medical ware, telescope lenses & chemical piping.

 Aluminosilicate Glasses:
 It contains 10-15% Al2O3 which improves strength & chemical
durability. E-glass (lime-aluminoborosilicate) is used in the
manufacture of glass fibres which has high strength & thermal
shock characteristics.

 Lead Glasses:
 Addition of lead oxide (PbO) to glass improves its refractive index
& lowers the melting point. This type of glass is used where high
refractive index, dispersion & radiation shielding are required.
Commercial forms of glass:
Sheet glass:
Being in the form of sheet it tends to distort & inferior
quality. It is available in various thickness & sizes used for
doors & windows & partition.

Plate glass:
It is stronger & more transparent than sheet glass. It is of
better appearance of negligible distorted available in various
thickness & sizes. Generally used in showcase, shop
fronts, cabinet, counters.
 Laminated glass:
 It is the combination of 2 or more glass plates with layers
of transparent plastics made under the effect of heat &
pressure. This type of glass doesn’t fly off in splint
when it breaks, so it is also called safety glass.
Generally used for the windows of vehicles.

 Wired glass:
 It is the combination of wire mesh & glass during the
manufacture of glass. It provides safety in breakage as
wire mesh notes the broken pieces together. It is the
retardant. It is used in the places where both light &
safety are simultaneously required.
 Insulating glass:
 Two glass sheets are combined in such a way that the air
gap of 6-12mm is sealed between them to provide heat
insulation insuring transmission of light.
 Tempered glass:
 Glass plate is heated & coaled suddenly. Tempered glass
is much stronger than ordinary glass. When broken, it
disrupts into innumerable small fragments more or
less cube shape. It is used in wind screen.
 Ground glass:
 It is made either by grinding one side or melting poured
glass upon it. This glass is used where light is required
without transparency. It is commonly used for office
doors, partitions etc.
 Figured glass:
 It is glass of rough surface in one side. It is used to secure
privacy without obstructing the light used for
ventilations, toilets etc.

 Coloured glass:
 By adding oxides of metal into the glass during
manufacturing the products as coloured glasses are used
for decoration work in building construction. They may
also be used to obstruct direct sunlight.
Common properties of glass:
It is amorphous material.
It is transparent & can be tinted with colour.
It can be made in different shape.
It is chemically inert & can be used in corrosive
atmosphere.
It is brittle material.
Improvements can be done for increase in thermal shock
resistance & fire resistance.
Its compressive strength is 600-1200MN/m 2& tensile
strength of 27-700MN/m2.
Possible to weld please by fusion of glass.
 Plastic Materials
• Any non-metallic material that can be moulded to desired shape
• Natural or synthetic resins or their compounds, which can be
moulded, extruded, cast or used as films or coatings

Constituents of Plastics
• Binder – may be either resins (synthetic or natural) or cellulose
derivatives (polymeric compounds)
• Fillers –added to improve mechanical properties and make economical
• Plasticizers – make plastic soft, improve toughness, make flexible;
common plasticizer are: vegetable oils, aluminium stearates, etc.
• Colouring matter – usually in pigment and dynes form, gives required
colour to plastic. Eg. Chromium oxide, ochre, etc.
• Lubricants – common lubricants are: Mosallic soaps and stearates
• Catalysts – added to accelerate the chemical reaction. Also act as
hardeners and accelerators.
 Classification of plastics
 Thermo plastic – soften on the application of heat,
• Can be heated and cooled for any no. of times
• Highly plastic and are easy for moulding or shaping
• Have low melting temperature and are not so strong as
thermosetting plastics
• Eg. Polythene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), etc.

 Thermosetting plastic – required heat and pressure to

mould them into shape
• Cannot be softened once they have set and harden
• Have three dimensional molecular structures and have very
high molecular weights.
• Eg. Phenolics, polyesters, Expoxies, silicones, etc.
• Due to cross-linkage thermosetting resins are hard, tough,
non-swelling and brittle
 Uses of Plastics:
• Electrical conduits • Overhead water tanks
• Electrical insulators • Roof lights
• Floor tiles • Wall ties
• Joint less flooring • Corrugated and plain
• Decorative laminates sheets
and moulding • Cistern ball floats
• Bath and sink units • Lighting fixtures
• Foams for thermal • Paints and varnishes
insulation • Water resistance
adhesive , etc
Insulating Materials

• The materials which control transmission of

heat and cold and offer resistance to
reflection on the transmission of sound and
electricity

• During the design and construction of public

and residential building much importance
needs to be given to heat, sound and electric
insulation so as to promote comfortable
living, safety, efficiency of work and auditory
of building
Classification of insulating material

- Insulating materials may be classified as follows:

• Heat insulating material
– Provided to control the transmission of heat or cold
so as to provide a proper temperature inside the
room of the building
– The material with a great no. of fine, closed and air-
filled pores are the best heat insulating materials
– Bulk density – 7000N/m3; coefficient of thermal
conductivity <= 0.75 KJ per hr oC
– Should be protected against moisture because of
higher thermal conductivity of water.
 Requirements of heat Insulating Material

• Thermal stability
• Chemical stability
• Physical stability
• Low thermal conductivity
• Resistance to moisture
• Low specific heat and gravity
• Odourless
• Resistance to vibration and shock
• Non-inflammability
• Economical in its initial cost
Classification of heat insulating materials
•Organic heat insulators
– Wool, Cattle hair, Eelgrass, Cotton wool,
Corkboard, Silk, Wood pulp, Sugarcane, Saw
dust, Cardboard, Paper, etc.
•Inorganic heat insulators
– Mineral wool, Slag wool, Glass wool,
Aluminium foil, Charcoal, Gypsum, Asbestos,
Wood ashes, etc
 Sound insulating materials

• Materials which offer resistance to reflection and

transmission of sound

• Requirements of sound insulating material

– able to absorb noise to the desired extent
– can be cleaned, washed or painted easily
– resists the attack of insects, termite and dry rot
fire resistant
– withstand weathering effects
– lighter for handling and fixing easily
– offer pleasant appearance in its finish form
 Electrical insulating materials
• Offer a very large resistance to flow of current hence
used to keep the current in its proper path along the
conductor
• Characteristics of good electrical insulating material
– Large insulating resistance
– High dielectric strength
– Should be resistant to oils or liquids, gas fumes, acids and
alkalies
– High mechanical strength
– High thermal conductivity and strength
– Should be homogeneous to avoid local stress
concentration
– Low permittivity
– Least thermal expansion
– Should be resistant to thermal and chemical deterioration
– Low dissipation factor (measure of loss-rate of energy of mode of oscillation)
Classification of electrical Insulating Materials

• According to substance or materials

– Solids eg: Mica. Wood, glass, porcelain, cotton,
silk, etc
– Liquid eg: Linseed oil, refined hydrocarbon
minerals oils, spirit, varnishes, etc
– Gases eg: Dry air, CO2, argon, nitrogen, etc
 According to temperature
Class Insulating Material Included Assigned limiting
insulating temp.
Y Cotton silk, paper, cellulose, wool etc. 90oC
A Laminated wool, varnished paper, etc. 105oC
E Synthetic resin enamels, cotton and paper 120oC
laminates with formaldehyde bonding etc.
B Mica, glass fibres, asbestos with suitable 130oC
bonding substances, etc
F Material of class B with bonding material of 155oC
higher thermal stability
H Glass, fibre and asbestos materials, and built up 180oC
mica with silicon resins
C Mica, ceramics, glass, quartz without binders or Above 180oC
with silicon resins of higher thermal stability
Gypsum Products

• Gypsum -> CaSO4.2H2O (hydrated sulphate of calcium)

• White crystalline substance sparingly soluble in sulphuric
acid
• Soluble in hydrochloric acid but insoluble in sulphuric acid

Properties of gypsum products

• Good sound absorbers
• Possess small bulk density
• Incombustible and have poor strength in wet state
• Develop high creep under load, especially in moist
surroundings
• Uses:
– Filler in paints, paper and rubber industries
– Manufacturing of cement to increase its
setting time
– To prepare “ plaster of paris” and gypsum
board
  Composite Materials
• a combination of two or more materials having
compositional variations and depicting properties
distinctively different from those of the individual materials
of the composite
• include the following
• multiphase metal alloys
• Ceramics
• Polymers
• Eg: Pearlite steels – have a microstructure consisting of
altering layers of α ferrite and cementite
• Wood – composite that occur in nature; consists of strong
and flexible cellulose fibres surrounded and held together by
a stiffer material called lignin
• RCC – consist of steel rods embedded in the concrete mix
which itself is composite of cement, sand, aggregate and
water
• Vehicle tyres – rubber reinforced with woven cords.
 Classification of composite material

• Particle reinforced composite

– Utilized with all three types of materials, viz., metals,
polymers and ceramics
– Eg. Automobile tyres, Concrete, cement, etc

• Fibre reinforced composite

– Produced using low density fibre and matrix materials
– Strength and other properties of these composite are
influenced by the following:
• Arrangement of fibres relative to one another
• Fibre concentration
• Fibre distribution
 • Structural composite
– Laminar composites
- Made from two dimensional panels having high strength
direction
- Layers stacked and cemented in such a way that high strength
direction varies with each successive layers
- E.g. in plywood ->sheets are align with the grain direction at
right angle to each other.
– Sandwich panels
- Composed of two strong outer sheets or faces, separated by a
layer of less dense material having lower stiffness and strength
- Widely applicable in:
- Roofs, floors and walls of building
- Aircraft wings, fuselage, etc

Tensile Modulus of Composite

= Modulus of Matrix * % area of Matrix
+ Modulus of Fibre * % area of Fibre
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