What Are the Differences Between Hot Mix and Cold Patch Asphalt?
Hot mix asphalt is superheated at the plant to temperatures of 160 C or above. It is transported in trucks that maintain high temperatures, but it must remain above approximately 120 C (depending on the exact blend and local standards) during pouring and compacting. Both the ambient temperature and the ground temperature play a role in how long hot mix asphalt remains within a proper working temperature range, from several hours during the height of summer to just a few minutes in the winter. In addition hot mix asphalt depends on a slow process of cooling and curing to achieve maximum structural strength. Cooling too quickly can undermine the asphalt and make it more likely to fail.
For these reasons, new asphalt is only poured during the warmer summer months. For emergency winter repairs, cold patch asphalt is used. This material uses a different binder that does not rely on a cycle of superheating and slow cooling to be effective. However, it also does not harden in the same way as hot mix asphalt. Cold patch repairs are generally considered temporary, except in very limited circumstances.
Based in Abbotsford, Topwest Asphalt also serves Langley, Chilliwack, Mission, and Maple Ridge. Are you ready to start your next asphalt project with a team you can count on to do the job right, on time, and on budget? We invite you to call Topwest Asphalt today at 1-800-ASPHALT to discuss your project and schedule an estimate. We look forward to working with you!