Emulsion

Sunil Kumar Jha

Assistant Manger M1-A
Larsen and Toubro
• Bitumen Emulsion is a mixture of Bitumen, and Bitumen is extract from Crude oil so it
can not be mixed with water. With mixing water we have to use emulsifier (surface active
agent) after using emulsifier its break then Bitumen particle and convert into micron so that
its come tendency of dispersed. So Bitumen Emulsion is a dispersed liquid consisiting of
three product, i.e water, bitumen and emulsion
• Process of Manufacturing
• Water is mixed with emulsifier and chemical agnets.
• Then water mix emulsifier is added with bitumen in a Colloidal mill.
• The amount of bituminous to be added upon the nature of use of bitumen emulsion.
• The average range of 40-70 %
• The colloidal mill breaks down the bitumen into very tiny droplets is about 2 micron, but droplet try to join them self
with each other and make it settle down.
• But the emulsifier added creates a coating of surface charge around every drop, droplet of the bitumen. That helps to
keep away from each other.
• The mix received from the colloidal mill is stored in the storage tanks and upon the requirements.
• Types of Emulsion
• Based on Charge
• Based on Setting time

• Based on Charge
• Based upon the type of surface charge, divided in to 2 types.
• Anionic Bitumen Emulsion
• Cationic Bitumen Emulsion
• In Anionic , the tiny droplets of bitumen are electronegativity
• In Cationic, the tiny droplets of bitumen are electropositive charged.
• The commonly used emulsion is Cationic. Selection of emulsion is depend upon mineral composition of
aggregate going to be use/used. Ex – In case of Silica rich aggregate the surface of silica is aggregate is positively
charged therefore cationic emulsion is used, which helps in better spreading and binding of Bitumen with
aggregate.
• Based on Setting Time
• Slow Setting
• Medium Setting
• Rapid Setting
• When the Bitumen emulsion is applied on the aggregate for the road works the water evaporates leaving
behind the Bitumen droplets. These droplets spread on the aggregate and bind with each other and gains
strength eventually.
• Based upon the time taken by the Bitumen emulsion to evaporate the water and Bitumen Particles to
Separate from water, Bitumen emulsion is further classified into 3 types.
• Slow Setting :- in this type of emulsion, a special type of emulsion is used to slow the process of water
evaporation.
• Medium Setting:- In this type of Emulsion, doesn't break as when applied on aggregate. The process of
evaporation starts when the fine dust of mineral are mixed with the aggregate emulsion mix.
• Rapid Setting:- In this type of Emulsion, breakdown rapidly as it comes with contact with aggregate
helping in fast setting and rapid curing.
• Advantages:-
• Emulsion can be used in wet weather even if it is raining.
• Eco-friendly, as it is water based.
• It doesn't need extra heat while placing.
• There is no wastage in placing and laying of Bitumen
• Limitation:-
• Storage time of Bitumen emulsion ranges from few Days to 6 months depending upon the % of Bitumen added
while production at manufacturing unit.
• Setting time may vary due to temperature, wind and types of Emulsion.
• Not a Single type of emulsion can be used for all works, it depends upon the aggregate type, setting time and
nature of work.
• IS-8887-20004
• Clause 6.1 – For Storage not more than 1 year
• Clause 8.1 – Marking
• Clause 8.1.1.1- BIS Certification.
 • Requirements.

Test SS-1 RS-1

Residue on 600 micron 0.05 0.05
Viscosity by Saybolt Furol Viscometer
at 25 OC 20-100
at 50 OC 20-100
Coagulation of Emulsion at Low Temperature NIL NIL
Storage Stability after 24 hrs (%) max 2 2
Particle Charges Weak Positive Positive
Stability to mixing with Cement (% Coagulation), Max 2 -