Slow Curing Cutback Bitumen

Slow Curing Cutback Bitumen Description

Slow curing Cutback Bitumen and oils of low volatility generally in the heavy distillate range (SC–70, 250, 800, 3000). The degree of liquidity developed in each case depends principally on the proportion of solvent to asphalt cement. To a minor degree, the liquidity of the cutback may be affected by the hardness of the base asphalt from which the cutback is made. The degree of fluidity results in several grades of cutback asphalt some quite fluid at ordinary temperatures and others somewhat more viscous. The more viscous grades may require a small amount of heating to make them fluid enough for construction operations.
Slow Curing often called “road oils,” are usually a residual material produced from the fractional distillation of certain crude petroleums. Traditionally any kind of aromatic, naphthenic and paraffinic oils are used. Slow Curing liquid bitumen materials can be prepared by blending bitumen with an oily petroleum fraction.

Slow Curing Cutback Bitumen Applications

Current common uses are in penetrating prime coats and in producing patching or stockpile mixtures. Cutback asphalt used in mixing with aggregate will usually contain an adhesion agent to assist in the coating of the aggregate surface.

Cutback agents are used to lowering the viscosity of bitumen when it is applied as a primer to the surface of a road pavement aggregate base course or substrate. Kerosene is used as a bitumen cutback agent at different concentrations according to local conditions and requirements.
The cutback bitumen is ideal for prime coat and cold applied because of easy uses and no need to thinning and heating.

Cutback bitumen SC consist of initial incorporation of asphalt into the surface of non-asphalt based course preparatory to any superimposed treatment of construction.
The cutback asphalt SC applying to waterproofing of surfaces, plug capillary voids, coat and bond loose mineral particles.

Slow curing (SC) cutback asphalt cement and oils of low volatility generally in the heavy distillate range (SC-70, 250, 800, 3000). The degree of liquidity developed in each case depends principally on the proportion of solvent to asphalt cement. To a minor degree, the liquidity of the cutback may be affected by the hardness of the base asphalt from which the cutback is made. The degree of fluidity results in several grades of cutback asphalt—some quite fluid at ordinary temperatures and others somewhat more viscous. The more viscous grades may require a small amount of heating to make them fluid enough for construction operations.

Slow curing (SC) cutback asphalt are often called road oils and are used primarily in road-mixing and dust-laying applications. This term originated in earlier days when asphalt residual oil was used to give roads a low-cost, all-weather surface. SC cutback asphalts are also used for stockpile patching mixes, plant-mixed with graded aggregates and occasionally for priming.

Cutback Bitumen

Cutback Bitumen Description

Cutback Bitumen ( Liquid Bitumen ) is Bitumen that is dissolved in a solvent. Typical solvents include Naphtha, gasoline and kerosene, white spirit etc. The type of solvent controls the curing time while the amount determines the viscosity of the Liquid Bitumen. Bitumen is ‘cutback’ by adding controlled amounts of petroleum distillates such as kerosene. This is done to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen temporarily so it can penetrate pavements more effectively or to allow spraying at temperatures that are too cold for successful sprayed sealing with neat bitumen. The materials used to cutback bitumen will evaporate after application to leave the remaining material similar in hardness to the original bitumen.

Cutback bitumen is a range of binders that are produced by blending (mixing) penetration grade bitumen and a hydrocarbon solvent, such as paraffin or mineral turpentine.
When the solvent has evaporated, the binder returns to its original penetration grade to tie the particles together. Cutback bitumen gets its name from the solvent that is involved in the process, because the solvent “cuts back” or evaporates, leaving behind the binder to “get on with the job”. The solvent used in cutback bitumen is called the “cutter” or “flux”.
Three types of solvents are used for the blending process: slow-curing, medium-curing or rapid-curing solvents. The latter two are the most common in South Africa. The choice of the solvent determines the rate at which the bitumen will cure when exposed to air. A rapid-curing (RC) solvent will evaporate faster than a medium-curing (MC) solvent. Curing relates to the evaporation rate of the solvent which influences the setting time of the bitumen. The viscosity of the cutback bitumen is determined by the proportion of solvent added: the higher the proportion of solvent, the lower the viscosity of the cutback.
Cutbacks differ from penetration grade bitumen in that they are more workable — in other words, they can be more easily reshaped. Less heat is required to liquefy cutback bitumen than penetration bitumen, making it easier to use at lower temperatures.
Typical cutback bitumens are MC 30 and RC 250. The letters in the name refer to the curing action of the solvent, and the number to the viscosity of the binder.

Cutback bitumen is classified based on viscosity grade. It is divided into three categories:

1- Rapid-Curing (RC) :The cutback bitumen is known as rapid-curing (RC) if the bitumen is solved in gasoline. The reason is that evaporation occurs quickly and the bitumen is deposited.
2- Medium-Curing (MC) :MC cutbacks are prepared by solving bitumen in kerosene which evaporates more slowly than gasoline.
3- Slow-Curing (SC) :Slow-curing cutback may be achieved from solving bitumen in gasoil or fuel oil or directly from distillation of crude oil.

Application of Cutback Bitumen

Cutback bitumens suitable for primer sealing can also be used in the manufacture of pre-mix asphalt, which is used in patch repairs. Cutback bitumens are used extensively in sprayed sealing applications, particularly in cooler weather where they provide improved initial stone retention due to their lower viscosity. Typically, a single application of the appropriate cutback bitumen is sprayed onto the primed pavement onto which aggregate is laid.

Prime and Tack Coating

The process of priming involves applying a low viscosity binder to a prepared but usually unbound aggregate base. It is intended to be absorbed by the top layers of the base and provide a surface more easily ‘wetted’ by a subsequent bituminous covering. The primer will be able to carry traffic for a short time (although this practice is uncommon) and help control dust. Generally, primers are applied at rates between 0.5 and 1.4 L/m2. Cutback bitumens suitable for priming are also used for tack coats, which are applied to an underlying surface to help with the adhesion of subsequent asphalt layer. A typical application rate is between 0.2 and 0.4 L/m2.

Prime Sealing

Where temperatures are too cool for an effective priming operation, or where traffic is likely to upset a primed surface before the final seal can be sprayed, a primer seal can be used to give adequate protection of the pavement for periods of up to 6 to 12 months. Cutback bitumens suitable for primer sealing can also be used in the manufacture of pre-mix asphalt, which is used in patch repairs.

Spray Sealing

Cutback bitumens are used extensively in sprayed sealing applications, particularly in cooler weather where they provide improved initial stone retention due to their lower viscosity. Typically, a single application of the appropriate cutback bitumen is sprayed onto the primed pavement onto which aggregate is laid.

HJ Oil GRUOP supplies and provides transfer of technology for production of all cutback Bitumens in correspondence to ASTM D2026, D2027, D2028, AASHTO M82-75 (2008), AASHTO M92-92 (2008). For any inquiries, please contact our sales team on info@www.hjoilgroup.com

• Slow Curing Cutbacks (ASTM D2026)
• Medium Curing Cutbacks (ASTM D2027 or AASHTO M82-75 2008)
• Rapid Curing Cutbacks (ASTM D2028 or AASHTO M81-92 2008)

USES OF CUTBACK & EMULSION BITUMEN IN DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF ROAD MAINTENANCE