Asphalt Savior Additive Called Hydrated Lime: 25% Bitumen PerformanceEnhancement
Various researches in EU Countries and USD suggest that adding hydrated to asphalt mixes can significantly enhance the durability of highway surfaces.
Long-standing data from highway authorities and researchers in the EU, US, and UK consistently demonstrates the wide-ranging benefits of adding hydrated lime to asphalt. This addition helps improve the climate resilience of road infrastructure.
Hydrated lime, known as calcium hydroxide too, improves the adherence between bitumen and aggregate and behaves as an effective “anti-stripping” additive. It also provides multiple advantages, such as reducing bitumen hardening over time, enhancing moisture resistance, stiffening the bitumen to minimize rutting, and boosting resistance to fracture at low temperatures which ultimately leads to smoother and more cost-effective road surfaces.
Studies indicate that adding less than 2% hydrated lime into the mix can extend asphalt’s lifespan by up to 25%, leading to slower road degradation, longer maintenance intervals, fewer potholes, reduced road operation, and smoother surfaces for a better driving experience.
It’s been a long time since hydrated lime was recognized in the USA for its significant benefits in asphalt formulations, particularly in enhancing the durability and performance of road surfaces. It is widely used in the US and Europe, and in some locations, it is even a mandatory component of asphalt mixes due to the proven advantages it provides.
One of the primary benefits of hydrated lime in asphalt is its ability to improve moisture resistance. As an anti-stripping additive, it prevents the asphalt binder from separating from the aggregate, which can be caused by moisture infiltration.
Furthermore, hydrated lime is also proven to reduce asphalt aging by lowering oxidation rates in the bitumen binder. When asphalt ages, it becomes stiffer and more brittle, leading to cracks and potholes. Adding hydrated lime helps prevent these detrimental oxidative reactions, thus maintaining the flexibility and performance of the asphalt for longer periods.
Research conducted by the University of Nottingham further supports the benefits of hydrated lime in asphalt. The study found that hydrated lime helps absorb polar compounds such as carbonyls and asphaltenes, which are responsible for the aging process in bitumen.
Hydrated lime is not only beneficial for road durability but also contributes to environmental goals. In the UK, it is already included in the National Highways asphalt specifications and is part of the register for durability improvement options aimed at achieving zero-carbon targets.
