ASPHALT EMULSIONS: FOG SEAL

1. What is Fog Seal? London was once famous for its fogs, and San Francisco still is. But this is not a way of preventing these. There is a suburb of DC called " Foggy Bottom" but this is also not an antidote to waffling politicians. Its about asphalt (a surprise?). Asphalt is a great sealer and protector. Most of its functions are about these aspects. As a sealer asphalt is used widely and chip seals were covered in these pages a few short months ago. FOG seal is another use. This is a very light application of asphalt in the form of a diluted emulsion of asphalt sprayed onto an asphalt or other surface. A sort of black fog! Its official definition from AEMA is: "A light spray application of dilute asphalt emulsion used primarily to seal existing asphalt surfaces to reduce raveling and enrich dry and weathered surfaces. It can also be used as a color coating and as a paint striping surface preparation." In some other countries , notably Australia, the process is actually called "enrichment" and not fog seal. This is because its primary use is replenishment of aged asphalt in existing chip seals. In this process polymers and rejuvenation oils are often added to improve physical properties (polymers) and soften off the original asphalt (rejuvenation oils) to improve adhesion. Fog Seals are also useful for application to new chip seals to lock stones in place and reduce flying stone and windshield damage claims. This may be in association with other additives such as lignosulphonate.

2. What Materials are Used? Asphalt Emulsion: The main aim is for the emulsion to run into the interstices between stones and coat the asphalt part of the layer. The emulsion should not hang up on the tops of the stone but flow between them. Thus the seal can be renewed and the stones are not made too slippery. This means that the emulsion must be diluted to reduce its viscosity. 50/50 is a normal dilution as its easy to do but work has shown that most 60% emulsions have minimized viscosity at about 33% dilution. Under dilution will make application of the correct amount of asphalt difficult so 50/50 is usually suitable.

Cationic or anionic slow set emulsions ss-1 or CSS-1 type are usually preferred for several reasons: a. They are easier to dilute. In fact some manufacturers CRS type emulsions cannot be diluted at all. b. Rapid set emulsifiers remain rapid set and will react and break on the tops of the stones. Slow set emulsifiers make flow down between the stones easier. c. Sometimes rapid set emulsion may be used undiluted but usually this is not recommended. d. Emulsions of modified binders, modified with polymers and or aromatic rejuvenation oils may also be used. e. Sometimes a low binder content emulsion of 30% binder may be used. Dilution Procedure:

Water must be clean and potable and free from solids. For anionic emulsion it may not be hard and for cationic it must not contain any incompatible organic materials such as bicarbonates, phosphates etc.(alakaline). Hard water may be treated with a water softener or detergent at 1 litre per 5000 lts of water. Alkaline water may be treated at 1 lt of builders acid (HCL) per 5000 lt of water. Alternatively emulsifier solution may be used in either case. Anionic for hard water and cationic for alkaline water. They must be neutralized remember! It is important to do a compatibility test as follows. 1. 2. 3. 4. Fill a can (1 lt) half full with emulsion Add required amount of water Mix with a non metal spatula Examine for lumping by pouring through a 150um prewetted sieve 5. Wash sieve thoroughly- any balls of material? How much? 6. If more than 1% or so there may be an incompatibility problemcall manufacturer. The water should always be added to the emulsion- NOT the other way around. Do not store the diluted emulsion. Use it straight away (that day). Warmed water may be used at 25-50C if desired. This will lower viscosity and make handling easier. Application and Performance: Surfaces: As in most processes that involve application to an existing surface to achieve adhesion requires a clean substrate. The road must be thoroughly swept so that all loose material and dust is removed. Heavy oil drippings must be removed with detergent, burning or dig out.

Sometimes a light water spray on the surface is beneficial (0.6 lt/m2). This will improve flow of the material into the voids, however it should not be flooded. Equipment: The equipment for fog seal is the same as for chip seal. A properly calibrated sprayer capable of spraying the amounts shown in the application table. Recommended spray nozzles are 4-5mm. Emulsion may be heated to 50C. Application: Dilution Tight Surface Open Surface (all in lt/m2) residual 0.04-0.15 0.13-0.22 50 40 25 20 0.15-0.5 0.2-0.55 0.25-0.9 0.3-01.15 0.4-1 0.5-1.3 0.8-2 1-2.6

Note the higher application rates are used for enrichment applications. Spraying should be done so that pressure does not build in the spray bar. This will avoid drilling ( streaking) or splashing (spattering) of the emulsion. For higher application rates and highly textured surfaces application should be done in both directions to avoid a "rain shadow" affect. This will also assist in ensuring the correct amount is applied without over application. If traffic is required to pass immediately a fine application of clean sand (3mm and below) may be applied using a spreader at 3-6kg/m2. A Multi tired roller should be used. Traffic control to slow vehicles should be maintained until the emulsion has cured to an extent that it will not pick up. If applying after a chip coat of asphalt rubber ensure that the stone is

firmly embedded. If applying to an emulsion chip seal ensure the chip seal emulsion has broken and is holding the stone firmly. Maintain traffic control and rolling until this occurs. Weather: Do not apply if rain is imminent! Wet uncured material will cause a skid problem. Avoid high humidity and do not apply at temperatures lower than 10C and rising. In very hot conditions a light water spray of the pavement (0.5 lt/m2-0.7 lt/m2) could be considered. This will avoid break on the stone tops. Do not flood the surface nor apply to a ponded flooded surface where the surface voids are filled with water completely.