Bitumen, often referred to as asphalt, is a viscous, black, and sticky substance. It is a semi-solid form of petroleum and is primarily used as a binder in road construction. When mixed with aggregates, it forms asphalt concrete, the material commonly used for paving roads.

Primary Characteristics:

Appearance: Thick, black to dark brown substance.
Temperature Sensitivity: Becomes liquid when heated and returns to a semi-solid state upon cooling.
Water Resistance: Acts as a waterproofing agent, making it ideal for various sealing applications.
Adhesion: Excellent adhesive properties, allowing it to bind aggregates together effectively.

Grades & Types:
Bitumen comes in various grades, primarily determined by its viscosity and penetration value. Common types include:

Paving Grade Bitumen: Used in road construction.
Oxidized Bitumen: Produced by air blowing and has stiffer properties.
Cutback Bitumen: Bitumen diluted with solvents to reduce viscosity for specific applications.
Modified Bitumen: Bitumen altered with polymers to enhance its properties.

Applications:

Road Construction: Mainly used as a binder mixed with aggregates to pave roads.
Roofing: Used as a waterproofing agent in roofing felts.
Dams & Reservoirs: Acts as a waterproofing membrane.
Soundproofing: Used in soundproofing materials due to its insulating properties.

Advantages:

Durability: Offers a long-lasting paving solution, able to withstand various weather conditions.
Cost-effective: Provides a reliable and economical material for large-scale infrastructure projects.
Recyclable: Old bituminous roads can be reprocessed to produce new roads.