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Pavement Preservation & Maintenance

Slurry Seals & Micro-Surfacing

“Micro-surfacing has proven effective in filling ruts, reducing the amount of original rutting by 40%, and substantially increasing the friction characteristics of the pavement.” - Transportation Research Record No. 1392

Effective Pavement Preservation

Slurry Seal is a mixture of fine dense-graded aggregate, asphalt emulsion, water, and mineral fillers. The components are mixed and placed on the road using a single machine. Slurry seals are effective preventive maintenance applications that seal and waterproof the surface while correcting minor defects and improving skid resistance and appearance. The thin surface is an excellent choice for city streets and airports. Micro-surfacing is a high-performance slurry seal, formulated with polymers and chemistry for a very quick cure and traffic return, as well as durability on high traffic pavements. Since micro-surfacing cures quickly, it can be placed thicker than slurry seals and used to fill ruts and for minor reprofiling. These seals can be placed on both asphalt and concrete pavements.

Type I uses a fine aggregate and is designed for parking lots and taxiways. Type II, the most commonly used type, uses a coarser aggregate and can be used for all applications including arterial roads, residential areas and highways. Type III uses the coarsest aggregate and is used on freeways, high speed roads, industrial applications and runways.

Martin Asphalt Products for Slurry Seals

Martin Asphalt Product Description
SS-1h Anionic slow setting emulsion, the traditional choice for slurry seals. The mixture is easy to work, especially useful where there is a lot of handwork.
CQS-1h Cationic quick setting emulsion formulated specifically for slurry seals. It cures more quickly than the traditional SS-1h.
CQS-1hP Cationic quick setting emulsion formulated specifically for slurry seals. It cures more quickly than the traditional SS-1h, and has polymer for durability on more demanding projects.

Martin Asphalt Product for Micro-Surfacing

Martin Asphalt Product Description
CSS-1hP The grade used for micro surfacing is specifically formulated for the project aggregate. Additional additives are also employed to control the breaking or setting of the emulsion.

Slurry Seal & Micro-Surfacing Benefits

  • Both techniques seal small cracks and surface imperfections, waterproof the surface, and protect the pavement structure of both asphalt and concrete pavements.
  • The new surfaces improve skid resistance.
  • They provide attractive, smooth black surfaces which aid in lane delineation.
  • The very thin surfacing is ideal where curbs and overhead clearances need to be preserved.
  • The quick setting micro-surfacing emulsion reduces user delay by allowing traffic in about an hour after construction.
  • The quick setting emulsion makes micro-surfacing suitable for night application on heavy-traffic streets, highways and airfields.
  • Micro-surfacing fills depressions, small cracks and ruts, and provides some surface leveling.
  • Both processes are cost-effective pavement preservation techniques.

Surface Preparation & Construction

Laboratory designs determine the optimal emulsion and additive rates for the project aggregate with instrumentation developed to determine emulsion curing time. A continuously run machine is used for mixing the components on the project. The material flow rates are continuously monitored as the components are fed into the pugmill where they are thoroughly mixed. The mix is then placed by the machine at a predetermined depth. Traffic is returned once the seal has cured.

Martin Asphalt Makes It Easy

At Martin Asphalt, we supply Everything Asphalt—a full range of products for your projects. We provide technical assistance in selecting the right materials and application. Our AASHTO Certified Laboratory makes sure these products meet your specifications. Our network of production and storage facilities across the Gulf Coast and our transportation fleet including barges, rail cars and tanker trucks mean that our products are delivered on time.

Contact us for help in selecting the right materials for your projects.
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