Bitumen  Manufacturers, Traders, Suppliers

Bitumen, also known as mineral pitch is a substance which can be found in nature but can also be artifically produced. Bitumen consists of mainly natural or artificial long-chained hydrocarbons and also but only in small quantities oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen but it can also even contain traces of metal. It is hydrophobic, which means that it can not be dissolved in water, which means that it belongs to the group of more robust substances.

Bitumen is very temperature dependent. It changes its consistency according to temperature changes. In the cold it is brittle and the more warmer it gets, the more fluid it becauses until it eventually disintegrates. Also in contrast to acid and bases it is mostly very stable.

Bitumen is favourably used in structural engineering and also the construction industry. In addition it is a much loved base material for the construction of roads.

In structural engineering for example it is used as a moisture barrier for walls as a type of bituminous coat. In its natural form due to the temperature fluctuations it is slightly brittle and for this reason it is mixed with certain plastics beforehand to extend its shelf life.

In road construction, it is required for the production of asphalt, where it is mixed with polymers. This increases the firmness and durability.

Natural deposits of bitumen can be found in natural asphalt or sedimentary rocks such as for example copper slate.