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IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN HEATING
ASPHALT PAVEMENT
There are 4 very important variables to keep
in mind when heating asphalt pavement.
1. How much TIME does it take to
properly soften the asphalt?
As a general rule, approximately 8 minutes will
properly heat and soften the asphalt. Three variables effect the heating time:
- Mother Nature (wind & temperature)
- Material (liquid content, aggregate size, color, & age)
- Moisture (has it rained recently?)
2. How DEEP has the asphalt
been softened?
It is critical that the asphalt is softened to such a depth that
the repair will be an integral part of the existing pavement. A
minimum of 1 ˝ to 2 inches of softening must be achieved.
3. What is the SURFACE TEMPERATURE
of the asphalt once the proper softening depth has been
achieved?
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Once the temperature of the asphalt has
exceeded 425 degrees the rate of oxidation (evaporation of oils) is
accelerated. At approximately 500 degrees the asphalt actually
starts to burn rendering it useless and guaranteeing the failure of
the repair. Simply raking off the burnt asphalt will not remedy the
situation because a portion of the existing heated asphalt must be
left untouched so that the restoration can be rolled into a heated
existing surface.
4. FUEL ECONOMY- The amount of fuel
consumed determines the amount of BTU’s generated.
The best scenario is to be able to soften the asphalt to the
desired depth, in the shortest length of time, without damaging the
surface while consuming the least amount of fuel.
Be sure to
keep these factors in mind when comparing processes! |
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