What is Asphalt?

Have you ever sighed in relief as you saw a previously pothole-riddled road paved over smoothly with fresh asphalt? You’re not alone! It’s wonderful to see roads repaired, but what exactly is asphalt? It’s used to both maintain and construct roads, but it’s different from cement. Asphalt is usually a mixture of aggregates held together with a binder. Common aggregates are crushed rock, gravel, and sand. The crushed material is held together with a binder. Traditionally, bitumen was used, but recently, in the interest of lowering environmental impact, biologically based binders are rising in popularity.

What is an ARA, or Asphalt Release Agent?

Asphalt, as good as it is at repairing, is made to adhere to the road’s surface, which makes keeping other surfaces it’s not supposed to stay on a little more difficult. When it is dumped onto the road’s surface by a truck, it can stick to the truck bed. The longer asphalt builds up, the harder it is to remove. This is where an asphalt release agent, also known as an ARA, comes in.

ARAs are chemical solutions that form a thin coating on a surface to prevent asphalt from sticking to it. Certain asphalt release agents can be used on pavers, compactors, and special asphalt spreading tools.

What is a Soy-Based Asphalt Release Agent?

A soy-based asphalt release agent is an ARA that is made with soybean oil. Soy-based ARAs are biodegradable and don’t involve petroleum. It can be applied to truck beds and other asphalt-spraying tools to prevent sticking.

Learning More about Soy-Based Asphalt Release Agent

If you’re interested in soy-based ARAs, Tidal Washers is here to help you get the information and products you need! Click here to learn about our soy-based ARAs or contact us for help with any additional questions!