Asphalt plant

{{short description|Plant used for the manufacture of forms of coated roadstone}}

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File:Lb-asphalt-plant-structure.jpg at the required temperature. They are widely used for the construction of highways, city roads and parking lots.]]

An asphalt plant is a plant used for the manufacture of asphalt, macadam and other forms of coated roadstone, sometimes collectively known as blacktop or asphalt concrete.

File:Asphalt plant for construction.jpg

File:TPR - MTH works in Antoing, Belgium (DSCF5128).jpg

The manufacture of coated roadstone demands the combination of a number of aggregates, sand and a filler (such as stone dust). These materials are then heated and coated with a binder, usually bitumen or tar, however tar was removed from BS4987 in 2001 and is not referred to in BSEN 13108/1. The temperature of the finished product must be sufficient to be workable after transport to the final destination. A temperature in the range of 100 to 200 degrees Celsius is normal.

Countries have individual specifications stipulating how much of the raw material may be obtained from recycled asphalt. In-depth [https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/structures/97148/rap132.cfm research] shows that the addition of up to 20% recycled asphalt produces the same quality of asphalt as 100% virgin material. The quality of asphalt starts decreasing once the percentage of recycled asphalt increases beyond 20%.