Asphalt and Sealcoating Glossary
Common asphalt, paving, sealcoating and striping terms explained by the Bold City Seal crew.
A
- Aggregate
- Rock, gravel, and sand used in asphalt mixtures.
- Asphalt
- A mixture of bitumen and aggregate used for paving roads and parking lots.
- Asphalt Cement
- The binding agent in asphalt mixtures, derived from petroleum.
- Asphalt Emulsion
- A mixture of asphalt binder and water, used in various pavement applications.
- Alligator Cracking
- A pattern of interconnected cracks in asphalt resembling an alligator’s scales.
B
- Base Course
- The layer of material immediately beneath the surface course.
- Binder Course
- An intermediate layer between the base and surface courses in asphalt paving.
- Bitumen
- A sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum.
- Bleeding
- The upward movement of asphalt binder in a pavement, resulting in a film of binder on the surface.
- Broom and Seal
- A surface treatment where the pavement is broomed before applying a seal coat.
C
- Chip Seal
- A pavement surface treatment that combines asphalt with aggregate.
- Cold Mix Asphalt
- Asphalt mixed and applied at lower temperatures than hot mix.
- Compaction
- The process of increasing the density of asphalt by rolling or tamping.
- Crack Filling
- The process of filling cracks in asphalt surfaces to prevent water infiltration.
- Curing
- The process of hardening and drying of freshly applied sealcoat or asphalt emulsion.
D
- Densification
- The process of making asphalt more compact and dense through compaction.
- Distress
- Any visible sign of deterioration in a pavement surface.
E
- Emulsion
- A mixture of asphalt and water used in some sealcoating applications.
- Edge Cracking
- Cracks that occur along the edges of a pavement.
F
- Fog Seal
- A light application of diluted asphalt emulsion to seal and protect the pavement surface.
- Filler
- Fine material used to fill voids in asphalt mixtures.
G
- Grade
- The slope or pitch of a paved surface designed for proper drainage.
- Grading
- The process of creating a level base for asphalt paving.
H
- Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
- Asphalt mixed and applied at high temperatures for better workability and compaction.
- Hydrated Lime
- A material sometimes added to asphalt mixtures to improve adhesion and reduce stripping.
I
- Infrared Asphalt Repair
- A method of repairing asphalt using infrared heat to soften existing material.
L
- Latex
- A polymer sometimes added to sealcoat mixtures for improved durability and flexibility.
- Longitudinal Cracking
- Cracks that run parallel to the pavement’s centerline.
M
- Mastic
- A mixture of mineral filler and asphalt binder used for crack filling.
- Milling
- The process of removing the top layer of asphalt pavement prior to resurfacing.
O
- Overlay
- A new layer of asphalt applied over an existing pavement.
- Oxidation
- The chemical reaction between asphalt and oxygen that causes hardening and aging.
P
- Pavement Marking
- Lines, symbols, or words painted on pavement surfaces for traffic control.
- Potholes
- Bowl-shaped holes in the pavement surface caused by water damage and traffic.
- Penetration Grade
- A measure of the hardness of asphalt cement.
- Primer
- A thin liquid material applied to a surface before the application of asphalt or sealcoat.
R
- Raveling
- The loss of aggregate from the pavement surface.
- Rejuvenator
- A product applied to aged asphalt to restore its original properties.
- Rutting
- Longitudinal surface depressions in the wheel paths of a pavement.
S
- Sealcoat
- A protective coating applied to asphalt surfaces to prevent damage from UV rays, water, and chemicals.
- Slurry Seal
- A mixture of fine aggregate, asphalt emulsion, and additives used for pavement preservation.
- Striping
- The application of painted lines on pavement for traffic control and parking delineation.
- Subgrade
- The layer of soil beneath the pavement structure.
- Surface Course
- The top layer of the asphalt pavement structure.
T
- Tack Coat
- A light application of asphalt emulsion to ensure bonding between pavement layers.
- Thermal Cracking
- Cracks caused by contraction of the pavement due to low temperatures.
W
- Warm Mix Asphalt
- Asphalt produced and placed at lower temperatures than traditional hot mix asphalt.
- Weathering
- The breakdown of pavement surface due to exposure to the elements.