Bitumen Emulsion

Aras Gulf Petrochemicals Company as one the main manufacturer and supplier of different grades of Bitumen Emulsion is supplying all grades of the Emulsified Bitumen for all industrial uses such as Asphalt , Coating, waterproofing and asphalt paving.

Emulsified Bitumen is a mixture of bitumen (asphalt), water, and an emulsifying agent. Since bitumen and water don’t naturally mix, an emulsifier is added to keep tiny droplets of bitumen dispersed in water.

It is widely used in road construction and maintenance because it can be applied at lower temperatures than hot bitumen.

Emulsion Bitumen Composition

Bitumen, Binding material (usually 40–70%)

Water – 30–60%

Emulsifier – 0.2–2% (keeps mixture stable)

Types of Bitumen Emulsion

Based on electrical charge:

1. Cationic (Positive charge)

Most commonly used

Bonds well with negatively charged aggregates

Example grades: RS-1, RS-2, MS, SS2.

Anionic (Negative charge)

Used with positively charged aggregates

Less common in modern road work

Based on setting time:

1. Rapid Setting (RS) Used for surface dressing

2. Medium Setting (MS) Used for premix work

3. Slow Setting (SS) Used for slurry seal and stabilization

Bitumen Emulsion Uses

Tack coat

Prime coat

Surface dressing

Slurry seal

Cold mix asphalt

Soil stabilization

Pothole repair

Emulsion Bitumen Advantages

No heating required (energy efficient)

Safer handling

Environmentally friendly (lower emissions)

Can be applied on damp surfaces

Good adhesion

Emulsion  Bitumen Disadvantages

Limited shelf life

Sensitive to freezing

Requires proper curing (water must evaporate)

Emulsion Bitumen Applications

1. Road Construction & Maintenance

Prime Coat

Applied on granular base (WMM/WBM) before laying asphalt.
Helps bind loose particles.
Improves adhesion between base and asphalt layer.

Tack Coat

Sprayed between existing pavement and new asphalt layer.
Ensally ensures strong bonding between layers.

Surface Dressing (Chip Seal)

Sprayed on road surface followed by stone aggregates.
Used for rural roads and low-traffic roads.
Provides waterproofing and skid resistance.

Slurry Seal

Mixture of emulsion, fine aggregates, filler, and water.
Used for preventive maintenance.
Seals cracks and improves surface texture.

Micro Surfacing

Similar to slurry seal but polymer-modified.
Used on highways and heavy traffic roads.
Improves rut resistance and surface life.

2. Cold Mix Asphalt

Used where hot mix plants are not available.
Ideal for:

Pothole repairs
Remote area road works
Temporary road works

3. Soil Stabilization

Mixed with soil to improve:

Strength
Water resistance
Durability
Used in rural roads and sub-base construction.

4. Crack Sealing

Emulsion-based sealants used to fill small cracks.
Prevents water infiltration and pavement damage.

5. Fog Seal

Light application over existing a