Difference Between Bitumen and Tar | What Is Bitumen | What Is Tar

What Is Bitumen?

The bitumen is the binding material that is present in asphalt. It also sometimes called mineral tar. It is obtained by partial distillation of crude petroleum.

It is chemically a hydro-carbon. It is insoluble in water, but it completely dissolves in carbon disulfide chloroform, alkalies, alkaline, carbonates, petroleum spirit, and oil of turpentine.

It is found on analysis is composed of 87 percent carbon 11 percent and 2 percent oxygen by weight.

The bitumen is back or brown in colour, and it is obtained is solid or semi-solid or sate. Its applications are the same as the residual asphalt.

Type of Bitumen

Following are the types of Bitumen

• Blown Bitumen.

• Cutback Bitumen.

• Straight Run Bitumen.

• Penetration Grade.

• Bitumen Emulsion.

• Residual Bitumen.

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Blown Bitumen

Soft bitumen can be modified by heating until it becomes a liquid and then passing air under pressure by which all the volatile compounds in it can be driven out. The product is called blown bitumen.

Cutback Bitumen

Bitumen combined with other petroleum distillates forms cutback bitumen. This may be regarded as a means of applying penetration-grade bitumen at lower temperatures.

Straight Run Bitumen

When bitumen distilled to a definite viscosity of penetration, which does not require further treatment like heating.

Penetration Grade

The basic form of bitumen and has to be heated before application.

Bitumen Emulsion

A product in liquid form, formed in aqueous medium and stabilizing agents. This also another means to obtain bitumen into a liquid form so that it can be easily applied at ambient temperature.

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Residual Bitumen

It consists of bitumen thinner and suitable filler made into a plastic Conn. As it is plastic, it can be used for filling cracks in masonry, stopping leakages, etc.

Use of Bitumen

• Bitumen is used for the manufacture of roofing and damp proofing felts.

• For sealing accumulators and batteries.

• It also used for heat insulation materials for building, refrigeration, and cold storage.

What Is Tar?

Tar is a viscous black liquid made of hydrocarbons that can form in multiple ways. Because of this, the chemical composition of tar varies, though it is always made of organic matter of some sort.

It has many uses as a waterproofing and sealing agent. It is also used for many medicinal purposes.

Classified of Tar 

Tat is classified on the basis of its sources.

• Coal Tar 

• Mineral Tar

• Wood Tar 

Coal Tar 

A heavy, back, and strong-smelling liquid is known as coal tar. In closed iron vessels, the variety of tar is prepared by heating the coal.

The escaping gases are allowed to pass through the tube, which is kept cool by the circulation of water. The coal tax gets deposited in these tubes.

It is usually derived as a byproduct during the manufacture of coal gas. The coal tar is used for making macadam roads, preserving timber, etc.

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Mineral Tar 

Distillation of bituminous shales gives us mineral tar. It contains less matter.

Wood Tar

Distillation of pipes and resinous wood gives wood tar. In contains, creosote oil which can be obtained by further distillation of wood and hence is possessed stronger preservation property.

However, the wood creosote is not so good as coal tar creosote for the preservation of timber.

Use of Tar 

For coating of sleepers, wooden poles, latrine walls, etc.

Bitumen Vs. Tar