Bitumen Emulsions. A bitumen emulsion is a construction material with high adhesion properties with particles of 1 micron or less. The basic color of bitumen emulsion is brown, but it can be from very light to dark depending on dispersion.
The emulsions most commonly used in construction are those with 50-55% bitumen. Among the most important properties of the material is sufficient viscosity, good storage stability and temperature from 0 to 50ºС.
After application onto the treated surface, the material separates into water and bitumen. The emulsion becomes black. Due to the high protection properties, applied emulsion waterproofs the underlying materials. Besides, the bitumen film is resistant to acids and alkali.
Bitumen dispersion is characterized by creation of a fine mass of separate small particles, increasing its total surface area. The smaller the particles, the larger the surface. Bitumen pulverization allows to create a dispersed system, but it only remains stable while stirred, separating as soon as stirring is stopped. To preserve the required dispersion and stability of the emulsion, the interfacial tension on the boundary between water and bitumen must be reduced. This is done with the help of special substances – surfactants. Bitumen particles absorb these on the surface, reducing interfacial tension and preventing coagulation.
The properties of bitumen emulsion are influenced by:
- bitumen grade;
- emulsifier properties.
Various organic and mineral substances can be used as surfactants. Most commonly used substances are fats, fatty acids, soaps, starch, lime, sulfuric cellulose, complex esters etc.
For industrial production of bitumen emulsion, GlobeCore UVB-1 units can be used. These units allow the production of either cationic or anionic emulsions. The quality of the product complies with all relevant world standards in road and civil construction.
