Bitumen is an essential construction material for paving roads and highways. Traditionally, the raw bitumen in its purest form was used to construct roads. Now, most construction professionals in North Eastern India prefer to use bitumen emulsions over traditional bitumen for their varied use and durability in challenging climates. Here, we will discuss the types, applications, advantages of bitumen emulsions and their top suppliers in the North Indian States. Let’s start!
What Is A Bitumen Emulsion?
Bitumen emulsion is a mixture formed by blending bitumen & water. This viscous liquid is stabilized by an emulsifying agent. This versatile liquid makes an easier alternative to traditional bitumen due to its easier workability, high durability, and susceptibility to withstand harsh climates and environmental conditions.
Types of Bitumen Emulsions
Bitumen emulsions can be classified based on different attributes such as their setting time and surface tension. Here are a few common types of bitumen emulsions.
Based on setting time:
Bitumen emulsions are categorized into three types depending on their setting time. It is the time the emulsion takes to break and for the asphalt to set. The setting time is an important factor that determines which emulsion type is best suited for different types of construction works. Let’s take a closer look at the types of bitumen emulsions depending on their setting time.
Rapid-Setting Bitumen Emulsions
As its name suggests, rapid-setting bitumen emulsions have a lower setting time and take a few minutes to an hour to set perfectly. These emulsions make an ideal pick to fill potholes, cracks, and surface applications due to their quick setting time. These emulsions are extensively used for big cities with high traffic volume where quick fixes are often required for the maintenance of busy roads.
Medium-Setting Bitumen Emulsions
Medium-setting bitumen emulsions require a longer time to set as compared to rapid-setting emulsions. These kinds of emulsions usually take 1 to 3 hours to set completely and are widely used for fog seals & base stabilization. A fog seal is a process of repairing existing pavement surfaces while base stabilization is done to improve the durability and strength of the base of a road or pavement. Also, medium-setting bitumen emulsions are applied to bond an existing pavement surface to a new asphalt layer.
Slow-Setting Bitumen Emulsions
Slow-setting bitumen emulsions have the longest setting time amongst all three types and typically take four to six hours to completely dry and set. These emulsions are primarily used for slurry seals, chip seals, and micro surfacing. Slurry seals are used to repair and restore the existing pavement while micro surfacing is done to improve the texture and skid resistance of a pavement. Besides, chip seals are commonly used to seal and protect the surface of rough roads in villages and remote areas.
Based on the surface charge
So far, we have discussed the type of bitumen emulsions based on their setting time. However, they can further be classified based on their surface charge. Let’s take a look at some types of bitumen emulsions based on their surface charge.
Anionic Bitumen Emulsions
Anionic Bitumen Emulsions have a negative surface charge and are commonly used to build pavements. They bond well with acidic aggregates which makes them suitable for use in areas where the soil is naturally acidic.
Cationic Bitumen Emulsions
Cationic bitumen emulsions carry a positive surface charge and are most suitable for use in areas where the soil has higher alkalinity. These emulsions are known for their ability to form strong bonds with alkaline aggregates and are widely used to tack coats and bond with an existing layer of asphalt.
Non-ionic Bitumen Emulsions
As the name suggests, non-ionic bitumen emulsion does not have a surface charge and is extensively used as an adhesive and coating. These emulsions do not aggregate well with other bitumen emulsions and are not suitable for use in road and pavement construction.
Importance & Applications of Bitumen Emulsions For Waterproofing & Roofing In North Eastern States
Assam
Bitumen emulsions in Assam for waterproofing are common due to the high rainfall and humidity in the area. Heavy rainfall during monsoons increases the risk of water infiltration into the building and structure, which can weaken the structure over time. Here, Bitumen emulsions come in handy to form a waterproof layer in the cracks of the walls and roof. Bitumen emulsion is a durable and cost-effective solution for waterproofing in both commercial and residential spaces.
If you are looking for the best bitumen emulsions supplier in Assam for your upcoming project, click here.
Manipur
Bitumen emulsions play a crucial role in the infrastructural development of Manipur. Due to the region's high rainfall, roads can degrade quickly. Bitumen emulsions provide better adhesion and flexibility, making roads more resistant to water damage, cracking, and wear over time. Besides, bitumen emulsions in Manipur are more popular as they are best suited for road construction in cooler climates. The Roads made with bitumen emulsions are more flexible, which helps them to withstand the effects of temperature variations and rain, reducing the risk of cracking. Using bitumen emulsion for roads in Manipur can significantly increase the lifespan of roads in hilly and flood-prone areas.
At present, there are no oil refineries that produce bitumen emulsions or petroleum products. Therefore, high-quality emulsions required for road construction and industrial works are readily sourced by the leading bitumen emulsion supplier in Manipur such as Classic bitumen.
Meghalaya
The high humidity and rainfall in Meghalaya make buildings and structures highly vulnerable to moisture and dampness. The entrapped moisture in the walls and ceilings may weaken the structure over time, reducing its lifespan. Bitumen emulsions, when applied as a coating on roofs, ceilings, and walls, prevent moisture penetration and protect the structure from mold, mildew, and deterioration caused by damp conditions.
Most professionals prefer using bitumen emulsions in Meghalaya for different purposes such as road construction, moisture prevention, and waterproofing due to their easy application in colder climates.
Tripura
Tripura’s roads are likely to receive heavy traffic loads and are more prone to damage. Bitumen emulsions help improve the flexibility and strength of roads. Coating the roads with bitumen emulsion in Tripura ensures that the roads last longer by providing resistance to both heavy rains and vehicular impact. Also, in regions like Tripura, where resources are limited, the use of bitumen emulsions over hot bitumen proves to be a cost-effective solution for different construction purposes and regular maintenance of roads and structures.
Sikkim
In hilly areas like Sikkim, roads become slippery due to heavy rain or frost. Thus, the use of bitumen emulsions for roads in Sikkim helps enhance traction for safer driving. Besides, the infrastructure built on steep slopes is prone to soil erosion. The use of bitumen emulsions on these surfaces helps prevent the erosion of soil and stabilizes the slopes, reducing the risk of landslides or road washouts.
Mizoram
Mizoram’s steep hills and slopes present a challenge for the construction of stable road foundations. Bitumen emulsions in Mizoram are widely popular for their utility in soil stabilization and to improve the strength and load-bearing capacity of the soil, reducing the risk of erosion and foundation failure. Besides, bitumen emulsions are used to construct pavements in urban areas of Mizoram.
Nagaland
Nagaland’s challenging terrains and accessibility issues make road repair and maintenance an expensive affair. Here comes the good news! Bitumen emulsions in Nagaland are a popular choice for road repair and fixing potholes for its cost-effectiveness and easy application.
Arunachal Pradesh
Bitumen emulsions in Arunachal Pradesh are a vital component of infrastructure development because of the state’s unique challenges such as rugged terrain, heavy monsoon rainfall, and high humidity. Bitumen emulsions share a versatile application beyond just road construction and roof repairs. These high-quality emulsions can also be used for dam linings, erosion control, waterproofing of foundations, and as binders in various construction projects. This makes bitumen emulsions a preferred choice for infrastructural developers in the state.
Top Bitumen Emulsion Supplier In North East
Bitumen emulsions come packed with fine bitumen droplets that are dispersed and suspended in an aqueous medium. Due to improper handling and storage, these tiny droplets may join together and form clots. As a result, its properties change and the emulsion loses its stability. Therefore, picking the right bitumen emulsion supplier is a crucial element for defining the success of your industrial projects.
Whether you are looking for bitumen emulsions or high-grade bitumen, Classic Bitumen has been at the forefront of supplying high-quality materials to every nook and corner of the country. Since its inception, the company has been driven by high levels of professionalism, cutting-edge technologies, and immense professionalism. With our logistics partner BRBL, we have delivered more than 4L MT of material using our 75 service fleet tankers in all parts of India. Our large network of fleet tankers and skilled workforce ensures that the materials get delivered to your location without any delays and intermediate costs.
If you are looking for the best bitumen emulsion supplier in the North East for your upcoming project, get in touch with us today at https://www.cgoc.in/ for best quotations and more details.
Comments