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Asphalt versus tar
Short answer
Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen and mineral matter, less temperature-sensitive and durable, used for road surfaces and waterproofing. Tar is a dark viscous liquid from coal/wood distillation, more brittle in cold, weathers quickly, and is used for priming, surface dressing and timber preservation.
Differentiate between asphalt and tar (with respect to their properties and uses).
Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen and mineral matter, found naturally or made artificially. Tar is a dark viscous liquid obtained by destructive distillation of coal, wood or other organic matter.
| Point | Asphalt | Tar |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Natural deposits or petroleum refining (with aggregate) | Destructive distillation of coal, wood or peat |
| Composition | Bitumen + mineral matter | Complex mix of aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols |
| Solubility | Bitumen part dissolves in carbon disulphide and in petroleum solvents | Dissolves in toluene; only partly soluble in petroleum oils |
| Temperature susceptibility | Less sensitive to temperature | More sensitive; becomes brittle in cold, soft in heat |
| Weathering | Resists ageing better | Weathers quickly |
| Adhesion with aggregate | Good | Good; wets and coats aggregate quickly |
| Toxicity and odour | Low | Strong smell and harmful (carcinogenic) |
| Colour | Brown to black | Black |
| Uses | Wearing courses, mastic roofing, waterproofing | Surface dressing, priming coat, preservatives for timber, pipe coating |
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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