Bitumen is a complex and very complicated material that has long been known by humans and has been used in the manufacture of construction and decorative items, artificial prostheses, ship waterproofing and even mummification
Bitumen is a complex and very complicated material that has long been known by humans and has been used in the manufacture of construction and decorative items, artificial prostheses, ship waterproofing and even mummification.
Bitumen occurs naturally from under the earth's crust in the form of springs, lakes and surface mines in solid and liquid form. In fact, it was natural Bitumen that was used by human ancestors in the past and was used in road construction in the late nineteenth century. Asphalt surfaces made with bitumen today provide very smooth and safe roads for light and heavy vehicles and quality runways for landing and take-off of aircraft and even excellent rail infrastructure for trains.
Building moisture insulation and industrial applications such as protective coatings for oil and gas transmission line pipes and power transmission lines all indicate the bitumen coverage and water resistance.
Bitumen is a colloidal compound consisting of several components. The main components of bitumen are asphaltene and Maltin?. In this colloidal system, high-molecular-weight, highly polar asphaltene suspended molecules are dispersed in the oily medium of Maltin solvent. Maltin is an attached phase that contains saturated, aromatic and Resin compounds.
Carbon and hydrogen are the two main constituents of hydrocarbons in Petroleum bitumen, in addition to which other elements such as oxygen, sulfur, Nitrogen and a small amount of some Metals are also found. Recognition of hydrocarbons, which are the major constituents of petroleum bitumen, affects all physical, chemical, mechanical and, consequently, bitumen behavior.
Each of the main constituents of bitumen affects the properties and performance of bitumen. The Chemical and physical properties of bitumen in general should be evaluated as a result of the effect of these compounds according to their quantitative ratios that differ in different bitumens. Asphalt, for example, causes bitumen to harden, and Maltin provides its adhesion and ductility properties. Maltin affects the bituminous properties of bitumen.
