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Cold and Warm Mix Asphalt

“The immediate benefit is the reduction in energy consumption required by burning fuels to heat traditional hot mix asphalt (HMA). With the decreased production temperature comes the additional benefit of reduced emissions from burning fuels, fumes, and odors generated at the plant and the paving site.” – FHWA

Energy Saving, Safety, Flexibility

Emulsion cold and warm mix overlays made from asphalt emulsions and cutbacks have been used for decades, especially on rural roads. Many county engineers have found them ideal for remote locations. Warm sand mixes have also been used on high traffic volume interstates. With today’s concerns about energy, fumes and emissions, cold and warm mixes are an attractive alternative.

There are several cold and warm mix processes. The mixes may be made using a stationary plant at a central location, at a portable plant in a pugmill, at a hot mix plant (run at lower temperatures) or with a blade, recycler or mix paver on the road. For all these processes, the first step is a laboratory mix design with the project aggregate. The asphalt binder is formulated to coat the aggregate and conform to the needs of the manufacturing process. An emulsion mixed cold on the road with a blade is formulated for different characteristics than an asphalt mixed warm at a central plant and transported to the job site. Cold mixes can be placed with a blade or a paver. While emulsions have traditionally been used primarily for dense-graded aggregate mixtures, relatively recent technologies including polymers have been developed for open-graded emulsion mix overlays.

While cold and warm asphalt mixes have traditionally been mostly used on local roads, current research and new technologies may make them an alternative on higher traffic volume roads. As with any overlay, the existing base or pavement should be in good condition, with repairs made to any serious distresses.

Martin Asphalt Products for Cold and Warm Mix Asphalt

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