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weather damage . However , when temps are below 50 degrees F , sealcoat specs say they don ’ t recommend application . And they don ’ t warranty jobs performed outside the guidelines they put out . So , in effect our product allows for dealing with success in below 50-degree temperatures but there are so many factors in performing a successful sealcoat job during favorable conditions that it is impossible , in general , at this time for a coatings company to guarantee their sealer in less than 50-degree temperatures , even with our additives . “ Maybe , someone can come up with a coating impervious to cold , that can still be put down without breaking the bank as far as cost , but for now , we believe our product is the closest to a cold-weather guarantee for success .” For asphalt paving contractors ... how to push the asphalt paving boundary into the cooler season is a struggle , the nut to crack . “ My conclusions are based on the science behind water-based coatings , which have limitations of weather for initial application and full cure ,” stated Girish C . Dubey , president of STAR , Inc ., Columbus , Ohio . “ There are chemicals , such as ice melt , which can heat up the coating , but will introduce tremendous water sensitivity and also once applied the coatings may retain some water , which may impair the protective sealcoating performance if the water freezes under cold temperature snaps . “ I don ’ t believe in saying anything that cannot be supported by science , as we know it today . Cold temperature applications of water-based coatings have their limitations and can be risky .” Consulting The National Academies of Sciences , Engineering , and Medicine 2017 technical reference tome , Relationship Between Chemical Makeup of Binders and Engineering Performance , supports the cautions of working in colder weather . But it still begs the question of how cold is too cold ?
“ Last season , we saw asphalt with a warm mix additive placed at 20-degrees F ,” Longshaw said . “ This was not ideal--paving at these temperatures on a routine basis is not recommended--however , it was work that had to be done at the end of the season . Although it was very cold , using our company ’ s warm mix additives and compaction aids , the contractor was able to achieve the required compaction , demonstrating how such additives can enhance mixture performance across a broad range of temperature conditions .” Clearly , if asphalt placement time can be extended into cooler temperatures , then so does the time available for compaction . “ By extending the compaction window , density requirements can be achieved at lower temperatures in a broader range of conditions ,” said Good . “ Even unforeseen circumstances such as construction delays , haul distances , mechanical breakdowns , and other issues , can be better managed when mixture compaction
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