Frequently Asked Questions

Bitumen, also known as asphalt in some contexts, is a heavy, black material obtained during the refining of crude oil. It is the residual fraction left after the distillation process. Bitumen should not be confused with tar, which is produced from materials such as coal or wood.

What are the properties of bitumen?

Bitumen has several properties that make it useful in construction and roofing:

• Waterproof: Bitumen is naturally water-resistant and insoluble in water, which is why it has long been used to protect roofs and other structures from water.
• Thermoplastic: Bitumen softens and becomes liquid at high temperatures and becomes solid again as it cools.
• Sound absorbing: Bitumen has viscoelastic properties that allow it to absorb vibrations and help reduce sound.

Because of these properties, bitumen is widely used in waterproofing, road construction, soundproofing, and bitumen-based roofing products.