Differences between tar and bitumen

There are many materials that builders and workers in various industries are faced with. These include bitumen and tar. Outwardly, the materials are similar both in composition and in some characteristics. This is why they are often confused. But in fact, remembering the differences is very simple.

Tar is a refined product, or rather, the remainder of this process. The composition contains petroleum resins, a lot of hydrocarbons and a small proportion of metals. The substance is comparable in density to water. The substance has appeared relatively recently.

Bitumen is a resinous product, often solid. It is made from tar. The composition of a substance is always based on carbonaceous compounds. However, the exact components depend on the origin of the resin.

Bitumen is usually obtained due to the fact that oil deposits are not properly preserved. So, the chemical composition changes under the influence of oxygen, and a new substance is obtained. Various chemical reactions can lead to the formation of a substance. This is the main difference from tar, because the latter is made artificially. The solid is simply mined.

The exact composition of the resin and its properties depend directly on the characteristics of the original oil. And the process of the formation of a substance also affects. There is also an artificial version of bitumen. In this case, for production, products of processing of shale, coal and oil are used.

Natural bitumens have been known to people for many years. There is historical evidence that such resins were used by the ancient Sumerians. Then the substance was treated with floor coverings. The ancient Egyptians used bitumen to make mummies. There is evidence that even people in the Neolithic used bitumen to attach spearheads to the base.

Hard resins are mined in natural places where there is a source of oil. However, nowadays, the product is rarely used in its pure form. Various technologies are used to improve the properties and characteristics of bitumen. In some cases, the properties may differ precisely due to the nature of the processing. Here are the main differences between bitumen and tar.

1. Tar is a residue after oil refining, but the second substance exists in nature. However, both are petroleum based.

2. Hard resins have a more multicomponent composition. As a result, both the properties and the field of application are much wider.

3. Sometimes tar is used to make bitumen. It is impossible to do the reverse operation. Many chemical compounds are added to tar to make it hard and durable.

4. Bitumen is used in more areas of life than tar.

Both materials are made using oil, so they look very similar in appearance. Otherwise, there are quite a few differences. Even the areas of application are different.

Tar is more often used for the production of the most popular types of bitumen. And also the substance is necessary in the production of fuel oil, low ash coke, fuel for motors, combustible gases. The rest of the scope of use is small. Tar is used for insulation during roofing works, for covering roads.

Bitumen can be of different types and production. By design, there are several of the most popular modifications. The price of the varieties is also not the same.

The scope of application of bitumen depends on its type.

1. Building. The substance is necessary for waterproofing. It is used in the construction of various structures, houses, buildings. The material is considered the best, is of good quality at an affordable price.

2. Roofing. Bitumen of this kind are used in the production of roofing material, rubemast, glassine, hydroglass. And also the material is necessary in the manufacture of mastic, primer, rubitex. The substance is also used to create bituminous paper and fiberglass.

3. Road. The road surface is treated with such bitumen. So the tracks get many useful properties, they become more wear-resistant.

Solid bitumen is also used in some areas of the national economy. So, it can be found in the foundry, electrical engineering fields. The resin is used for lining leather, wood and paper. The substance is used to protect against water. It is found as a raw material in the manufacture of various varnishes and paints, as well as in the polymer industry.

Tar is produced chemically, but bitumen is completely natural. At the same time, the latter solidifies and turns into a solid stone. But tar is always viscous, flowing, even at low temperatures. Bitumen is used more as a material. At the same time, tar in its pure form often acts as a raw material.