EXPERT ADVICE
ADDITIVES
The new norm in asphalt mix and sealcoating
W hen people talk about living in the “ new normal ” it is often referred to as the reality of the aftermath period of a major crisis or the result of evolutionary change brought on by technology or different circumstances . The norms and expected patterns are different from what they used to be--thus , a new version of what is known to be normal . Life is different .
In the world of asphalt paving , new normals seem to emerge frequently as new technology and practices change and improve . One area of paving which appears to have experienced a new normal is with additives . Additives have always been seen as something added to enhance or refine . But today , more and more they are a part of the asphalt mix or sealcoat .
“ In a highly competitive environment , contractors need to have assurance that the additives they use in their mix designs will add value to the quality of their asphalt mixes , both in terms of added durability and easier constructability ,” stated Brad Gibbs , commercial manager with Arkema-Road Science , a division of ArrMaz , Tulsa , Okla . “ When they approach a bid situation with greater confidence that the final product will go down without problems , their risk factor goes down and so does the contingency line item on their bid sheet . They have a better chance to win the bid and the agency or owner benefits from the resulting cost savings . Adding additives with proven performance , becomes a win-win for all parties involved .”
Similar concerns for durability and ease of application are found with sealcoating .
Jack Moltz , with Southern Emulsions Inc ., Tuscaloosa , Ala ., said : “ Not all sealcoating projects are the same . The condition of the pavement surface ,
By Jeff Winke
how the pavement is used , weather conditions , etc . will all play into the decision of what sealcoat to select . The use of additives enables the formulation of sealcoat mix designs to address these conditions and therefore becomes an essential part of the sealcoating process .”
Contractors can use additives as a marketing tool to gain and retain a customer base . By adding around 10- to 15-percent to the material cost , the life of sealcoating is said by experts to be allegedly enhanced by 50-percent or more .
“ Sealcoating , like every other product , has a certain limitation of protecting the asphalt pavement ,” stated Nihal Pandrapragada , research chemist at STAR Seal , Inc ., Columbus , OH . “ Additives can be used to go beyond those limitations and boost sealcoating performance in terms of protection and preservation . Today , with the ma-
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May 2021