Intro

Crushed asphalt, commonly known as recycled asphalt, is a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional asphalt materials. It is produced by recycling, crushing, and compacting old asphalt pavement into a new aggregate. This reclaimed material is repurposed for various road construction projects, including pothole repair.

While crushed asphalt is growing in popularity due to its budgetary and eco-friendly benefits, it’s not the only alternative to manufactured pothole repairs impacting the paving world.

Natural asphalt, like RockAsphalt©, is quickly becoming recognized as a great alternative to traditional pothole repair materials. Its durability and simple application make it one of the most versatile options available today.

In this blog, we’ll discuss why the paving industry is turning to alternatives such as crushed asphalt and how RockAsphalt© outperforms recycled materials as the most budget-friendly and durable pothole repair.

Why the Paving Industry is Turning to Crushed Asphalt and Other Alternatives

The paving industry is turning to alternative materials largely because of environmental concerns and cost-effectiveness. Crushed asphalt reduces the demand for virgin resources like natural aggregates and refined bitumen. This helps conserve natural resources and minimizes the environmental impact of paving operations by diverting waste from landfills.

Additionally, using recycled materials can help lower material costs, making it an attractive option for paving projects looking to reduce expenses. As sustainability becomes a more significant focus worldwide, the paving industry’s shift towards alternative materials like crushed asphalt continues to grow.

The Limitations of Crushed Asphalt

Despite the benefits of crushed asphalt, it comes with its own set of limitations to consider. One major drawback is its tendency to deteriorate faster than other materials, especially in high-traffic areas or regions with extreme weather conditions.

This is largely due to the aging and breakdown of the binder used to hold the material together. As asphalt is exposed to the elements, the binder begins to degrade. Contaminants in the reclaimed asphalt can also interfere with the bonding properties.

Additionally, as reclaimed asphalt is crushed into a new aggregate, the result is often a finer, more porous material. This puts recycled materials at a disadvantage in terms of durability. While crushed asphalt is used to repair potholes, proper maintenance is crucial to prevent further potholes and drainage issues, as water can more easily seep through the porous surface.

Despite these limitations, with regular upkeep and consideration of its ideal use cases, crushed asphalt can still be a viable option for certain paving needs.

Unparalleled Durability

Natural asphalt is renowned for its exceptional durability when compared to crushed asphalt. The composition of this material, such as RockAsphalt©, combines limestone with a naturally-ocurring concentrated bitumen binder. Once compacted, the material creates a bond with enhanced durability and resistance to wear and tear.

In contrast, recycled asphalt often contains varying degrees of impurities and aged binder, compromising its structural integrity and longevity. While recycled asphalt is a sustainable option, natural asphalt’s inherent durability makes it a preferred choice for demanding applications that require long-lasting road surfaces.

Environmental Sustainability

While crushed asphalt works to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases by reclaiming old materials, contaminants in the mixture also pose a significant risk to the environment. Crushed asphalt is known to contain pollutants such as oils, chemicals, and heavy metals. These contaminants can impact ecosystems and water sources.

Because RockAsphalt© naturally contains a high bitumen concentration, the production process requires lower energy consumption and emits fewer greenhouse gases than its synthetic counterparts. Additionally, this natural material is 100% VOC, making it safe for workers and the environment.

The durability of asphalt materials also plays a crucial factor in environmental sustainability. While road maintenance is a critical aspect of infrastructure upkeep, the frequent operation of heavy machinery releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Simply put, materials with enhanced durability, like RockAsphalt©, reduce the need for frequent repairs.

Year-Round Performance and Availability

While crushed asphalt is used in cold mix pothole repair formulas, its porous nature allows water to leak beneath the surface, making it suboptimal for areas with harsh or inclement weather. Most crushed asphalt is used similarly to HMA, where the material is heated to a minimum of 230°F and must be laid in temperatures above 55°F. While this allows the material to form a harder bond, it’s unavailable during colder temperatures.

RockAsphalt© doesn’t rely on temperature to create a bond, making it perfect for pothole repairs year-round. This natural material relies solely on compaction, removing all air and moisture as the bitumen cements the rocks together. The result is a weatherproof repair that resists rain, sleet, and snow.

Cost-Effectiveness

Natural asphalt is more cost-effective than recycled asphalt due to several factors. The process of mining natural asphalt requires fewer resources and energy when compared to the extensive recycling process.

Additionally, the consistent quality of RockAsphalt© leads to lower maintenance costs and fewer repairs in the long run. While crushed asphalt’s initial cost might be lower than traditional materials, its poor performance in colder temperatures and tendency to crack leads to high maintenance expenses over time.

RockAsphalt© VS. Crushed Asphalt

The paving industry is taking leaps and bounds to find cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives to traditional pothole repair materials. While reclaimed materials like crushed asphalt are known to reduce emissions and cut costs, its limitations should be taken into consideration. Natural asphalt, like RockAsphalt©, also offers an eco-friendly alternative that performs year-round and reduces costs because of its unmatched durability.