Cutback bitumen and bitumen emulsion are both in the category of liquid bitumen, but they have many differences. The main difference between cutback bitumen and bitumen emulsion is the type of material used to make them.
In bitumen emulsion, water and emulsifiers are used. On the other hand, solvents obtained from the distillation tower are used in cutback bitumen.
Following is a list of 11 differences between bitumen emulsion and cutback bitumen:
1- Cutback bitumen is more expensive than bitumen emulsion. Because the cost of distilled solvents is higher than the aqueous solution with emulsifier.
2- Bitumen emulsion is more environmentally friendly than cutback bitumen due to the water used in its composition. The distillation solvents have harmful and toxic substances for air, plants, soil, animals and humans.
3- Different types of bitumen emulsion and their grades are always in liquid form. But cutback bitumen has types and grades that are semi-solid.
As a result, some grades of cutback bitumen require preheating before use. This leads to an increase in the preparation cost of using cutback bitumen. Conversely, the bitumen emulsion does not need to be preheated.
Read about “Cutback Bitumen Applications” and “Bitumen Emulsion Uses“
4- Multiple preheating of cutback bitumen during transportation and preparation for use as hot asphalt may damage the penetration bitumen structure.
5- Bitumen emulsion is suitable for wet and dry surfaces, whereas cutback bitumen should be applied to dry surfaces.
6- One of the most important concerns of transportation and maintenance is the high flammability of cutback bitumen. However, bitumen emulsion can be transported in hot weather without risk in temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius.
7- During bitumen emulsion transportation, one important consideration is the prevention of water and bitumen bi-phasing. Cutback bitumen does not have this problem.
8- Bitumen emulsion stays in one phase for a shorter period than cutback bitumen.
9- The bitumen emulsion will break into two phases if the surface has fine particles and dust.
Therefore, the intended surface for applying bitumen emulsion must be cleaned first.
10- Bitumen emulsion dries in 2 to 15 hours on the surface, whereas cutback bitumen takes longer to cure at 24 to 48 hours.
11- In bitumen emulsion, the emulsifier charges bitumen particles. As a result, when bitumen emulsion is dried, it has a higher adhesive property than cutback bitumen.
