What is Asphalt Made Of?

Asphalt

It looks great, it’s durable, and it’s really nice to drive on…but what exactly is asphalt? Today we solve the mystery and examine what asphalt is made from.

Asphalt is made with a mix of aggregates, binder and filler.

Aggregates are processed mineral materials like crushed rock, sand and gravel. These aggregates must be durable and of varying sizes to form a high quality surface.

Binder brings the aggregates together to create a cohesive mixture. A common binder is bitumen.

Filler consists of mineral particles. It helps stiffen and toughen the binder, and ultimately contributes to the performance of the asphalt.

This mix gets applied hot so that it is easier to work with and to create a high quality finished surface.

Do you have other questions about asphalt paving? Please give us a call at 518-584-4340 or fill out the form on our contact page to ask us!