Surface
Treatment Technique
Method
is a light application of a
diluted slow-setting asphalt
emulsion to the surface of
an aged
(oxidized) pavement
surface. Fog seals are low-
cost and are used to restore
Fog seal
flexibility to an
existing HMA pavement
surface. They may be able to
temporarily postpone the
need for a surface
treatment or non-structural
overlay
is a spray application of
asphalt emulsion followed
with a light covering of fine
aggregate, such as a clean
sand or screenings.
Although this is a simple
Sand seal operation, it can be useful in
correcting a number of
pavement flaws. Emulsion is
usually sprayed between 0.7
l/m2 to 1.25 l/m2 and sand is
placed at 5.5 kg/m2 to 12
kg/m2 as a cover.
A chip seal is a two-step
process which includes first
an application of asphalt
emulsion and then a layer of
Asphalt
crushed rock to an existing
chip seal
asphalt pavement surface. A
chip seal gets its name from
the “chips” or small crushed
rock placed on the surface.
Uses Relative Cost
 Delay weathering of the
pavement
 Waterproof the pavement
surface
 Improve the pavement’s
ability to
 Keep water from
penetrating the base course
 Reduce ravelling and enrich
weathered road surfaces.
 Sand seals enrich weathered
pavements and fills fine
cracks in the pavement
surface.
 The sand can provide
additional skid resistance to
the pavement while also
inhibiting ravelling.
 Sand seals are used over
single surface chip seal to
give a more finished
appearance.
 To keep water from
penetrating the road
structure on paved surfaces.
 To fill and seal cracks and
ravelled surfaces of old
pavement.
 To provide an anti-glare
surface during wet weather
and an increased reflective
surface for night driving.
 To seal the pavement
surface-minimizing the
effects of aging.
 To provide a highly skid-
resistant surface,
particularly on wet
pavements.
 The cost of chip seals is
15%-20% of the cost of
pavement overlays.
 Surface
Treatment Technique Uses Relative Cost
Method
A slurry seal is the
application of a mixture of
water, asphalt emulsion,
aggregate (very small
crushed rock), and additives
to an existing asphalt
pavement surface. A slurry
seal is similar to a fog seal
except the slurry seal has
 To correct ravelling and Costs more
aggregates as part of the
weathering than a seal
mixture. This combined
 To correct loss of frictional coat as it
mixture of the emulsion and
properties requires
Slurry seal aggregates represents
 To prevent surface water specialized
“slurry.” Polymer is
infiltration self-mixing
commonly added to the
 To prevent oxidation of equipment
asphalt emulsion to provide
asphalt concrete and applicator
better mixture properties.
The placement of this
mixture on existing
pavement is the “seal” as it
is intended to seal the
pavement surface. Slurry
seals are generally used on
residential streets.

 Micro Surfacing systems are

Microsurfacing is similar to
slurry seal. It consists of the
application of a mixture of
water, asphalt emulsion,
aggregate (very small
Micro- crushed rock), and chemical
surfacing additives to an existing
asphalt concrete pavement
surface. Polymer is
commonly added to the
asphalt emulsion to provide
better mixture properties.
Cape seal A cape seal is an application
of a chip or scrub seal
followed by the application
of slurry seal or
microsurfacing at a later
date
used to restore and
preserve the surface
characteristics of
pavements.
 Micro Surfacing may be
designed to correct rutting,
improve inadequate
pavement cross sections,
and enhance frictional
properties of structurally
sound polished pavements.
 A cape seal is applied when
the pavement deterioration
is greater than what a slurry
seal or micro-surfacing is
designed to correct, yet the
pavement has not
deteriorated to the point of
requiring an expensive
asphalt overlay. A cape seal
prevents water penetration,
 reducing subsequent
damage to the roadbed,
along with providing a new
wearing surface.

 Cape seals can be used on

residential streets as well as
rural and urban highways.
Used with crack sealing and
necessary surface repairs, a
cape seal significantly
extends the life of a
pavement.