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Fog Seals

“An effective pavement preservation program includes the use of a range of preventive maintenance techniques and strategies, such as fog seals.” - FHWA

The Lowest Cost Preventive Maintenance Treatment

Asphalt ages and becomes more brittle after exposure to ultra-violet sunlight and hot and cold temperatures. Traffic wears asphalt off of the pavement surface and initiates micro-damage of fatigue cracking. A very light layer of new asphalt and rejuvenating oils seals and waterproofs the surface, fills in the micro-cracks and prolongs the pavement life. A fog seal is a light application of a slow-setting asphalt emulsion diluted with water and applied by a distributor. Fog seals cover small cracks and surface voids, reduce raveling, and enrich dry pavements. A fog seal is an inexpensive way to rejuvenate and seal pavement surfaces. Fog seals are often applied on a routine schedule (typically every three to five years) to prolong pavement life.

Fog Seal Benefits

The asphalt emulsion seals the pavement from water penetration.
The treatment blackens pavement, adding differentiation to pavement lanes.
The asphalt renews aged asphalt pavements that have become dry and brittle and prevents raveling.
The low viscosity material flows into cracks and surface voids.
Fog seals can be used in conjunction with chip seals to prevent or repair chip loss.
Fog seals are the least expensive pavement preservation treatment to prolong pavement life and delay major maintenance or reconstruction.

Surface Preparation & Construction

Fog seals should be applied using well-calibrated distributors to spread as evenly as possible to achieve optimum coverage and penetration of surface cracks. The rate of application (typically 0.1 to 0.15 gallon per square yard of diluted emulsion) depends on surface texture, dryness, and degree of cracking. Fog seal emulsions are typically diluted with water by 25 to 75%.

Martin Asphalt Products for Fog Seals

Martin Asphalt Product	Description
CSS-1	Cationic slow setting emulsion used for many applications, including fog seals. It should be diluted with water.
SS-1	Anionic slow setting emulsion, used for many applications, including fog seals. It works best on a new base or open textured road, and should be diluted at least 3:1 with water.
ETR-1	Cationic slow setting emulsified rejuvenator oils formulated to renew aged asphalt surfaces.
ARA-1	Anionic slow setting emulsified rejuvenator oils formulated to renew aged asphalt surfaces.

Martin Asphalt Makes It Easy

There are a variety of treatments available for effectively keeping “good pavements good.” Choosing the right treatment can make the best use of funds and give taxpayers smooth and safe roads while avoiding costly reconstruction and extended road closures. Through Martin Asphalt, you get Everything Asphalt—a full range of products for your pavements. In addition, you receive technical assistance in selecting the right materials and application. The company's AASHTO Certified Laboratory makes sure the products meet your specifications. And your products are delivered both on spec and on time via Martin's Gulf Coast network of production plants, storage facilities and transportation fleet including ocean-going and inland barges, rail cars and tanker trucks.