---
title: "Compare asphalt, bitumen and tar"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 10
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:asphalt-bitumen-tar-comparison"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/asphalt-bitumen-tar-comparison
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Compare asphalt, bitumen and tar

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 10: Asphalt, Bitumen, Tar and Miscellaneous Materials

- Asked in: 2068 Chaitra, 5 marks; 2066 Shrawan (old course), 8 marks (asked 2 times)
- Video: [Difference Between Asphalt,Bitumen & Tar](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g09v_C7VMoc) — Engineering Skills
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/asphalt-bitumen-tar-comparison
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-10

## Question

Give the comparison (major differences) between asphalt, bitumen and tar.

## Short answer

Asphalt is a mixture of bitumen and mineral matter, used for road surfaces and roofing. Bitumen is the pure petroleum binder with good durability and adhesion, used in road construction and waterproofing. Tar is a coal/wood distillate, more temperature-sensitive, used for priming and wood preservation.

## Answer

| Point | Asphalt | Bitumen | Tar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Bitumen mixed with mineral matter | Hydrocarbon binder, residue from petroleum | Product of destructive distillation of coal/wood |
| Source | Natural deposits or manufactured | Petroleum refining or natural | Coal, wood, peat |
| Mineral matter | Large amount | Very little | Nil |
| Composition | Bitumen + sand/aggregate/filler | Hydrocarbons, mostly aliphatic and naphthenic | Aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols |
| State at 25 °C | Solid or semi-solid | Semi-solid to viscous liquid | Viscous liquid |
| Temperature susceptibility | Medium | Lower | Highest |
| Ageing and weathering | Good | Good | Poor, dries and cracks |
| Adhesion | Good | Very good | Good initially |
| Health effects | Low | Low | Harmful, strong odour |
| Cost | Higher | Medium | Low |
| Main uses | Wearing courses, mastic roofing, floors | Binder in roads, damp-proofing, bituminous felts, paints | Priming, surface dressing, wood and pipe preservation |

In short: asphalt is the bound mixture, bitumen is the pure binder from petroleum, and tar is a coal or wood distillate that is more temperature-sensitive and less durable.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Rank mineral matter content.
   A. Tar largest
   B. Bitumen largest
   C. All equal
   D. Asphalt large, bitumen very little, tar nil
   Answer: D. Asphalt has large mineral matter, bitumen very little, tar nil. (Key point: Mineral matter)

2. Which is most temperature susceptible?
   A. Asphalt
   B. Bitumen
   C. Tar
   D. All equal
   Answer: C. Tar is highest, bitumen lowest, asphalt medium. (Key point: Temperature susceptibility)

3. Which is harmful with strong odour?
   A. Tar
   B. Bitumen
   C. Asphalt
   D. None
   Answer: A. Tar is harmful with strong odour; asphalt and bitumen are low. (Key point: Health)

4. Which summary is correct?
   A. Asphalt is the pure binder
   B. Bitumen is a coal distillate
   C. Tar is the bound mixture
   D. Asphalt is the bound mixture, bitumen the pure petroleum binder, tar a coal or wood distillate
   Answer: D. That is the one-line comparison in the answer. (Key point: Summary)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Define asphalt, bitumen and tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Adefine-asphalt-bitumen-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 2×
- [Uses of asphalt, bitumen, tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Auses-asphalt-bitumen-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10
- [Bitumen versus tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Abitumen-vs-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 2×
- [Asphalt versus tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aasphalt-vs-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 3×
- [Define bitumen and tar](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Adefine-bitumen-tar) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10
- [Asphalt versus bitumen](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aasphalt-vs-bitumen) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 10, asked 4×

## Related in other subjects

- [Types of bitumen and bituminous materials](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Abitumen-types) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 6, asked 6×