Road Science's Groundbreaking ArrTekk® Chemistry Makes Chip Seal Pavement Preservation More Efficient and Cost-Effective

TULSA, Okla., Feb. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Road Science, a Division of ArrMaz, today launched a new line of innovative ArrTekk emulsifiers formulated to make chip seal construction, a popular road preservation technique, more efficient and cost-effective for state agencies, emulsion producers, paving contractors and the motoring public. ArrTekk 706 and 737 cationic rapid-setting (CRS) emulsifiers use cutting-edge chemistry to achieve desired chip seal emulsion viscosity across a broad range of asphalts, and at least 50% faster cohesive strength development between emulsion binder and chip aggregate, reducing asphalt costs, chip seal construction time and windshield damage claims.

Chip seal is a common pavement preventive maintenance technique used on lower-traffic roads due to its low cost relative to traditional overlays. It extends road life by protecting against oxidation and water intrusion, and improves motorist safety by providing a skid-resistant driving surface. Chip seal application involves spraying a CRS asphalt emulsion onto pavement to create a thin emulsion binder membrane. A thin layer of uniformly-sized chip aggregate is then applied on top of the emulsion membrane and rolled to ensure proper embedment. The emulsion eventually "breaks" and develops cohesive strength ("cures"), reverting to asphalt in an un-emulsified state. After 4 to 24 hours, the chip seal is swept to remove loose stone. During chip sealing, roads remain open to reduced-speed traffic.

A common challenge emulsion producers face when making CRS chip seal emulsions is achieving and maintaining desired emulsion viscosity from production to road application. This challenge limits asphalt selection thereby increasing asphalt costs, and often results in costly and time-consuming emulsion reprocessing. State agencies and paving contractors also face chip seal construction challenges especially between chip application and brooming, when loose chips can be hurled into the air by traffic, breaking vehicle windshields, frustrating motorists and increasing damage claims.

The ArrTekk CRS emulsifier line effectively addresses these challenges. ArrTekk 706 and 737 emulsifiers deliver optimal emulsion viscosity characteristics which remain consistent through time and across a wide range of asphalts. Emulsion producers benefit from increased versatility in asphalt selection which lowers asphalt costs, and reduced emulsion reprocessing due to viscosity problems which saves both time and money. ArrTekk 706 and 737 also solve agency and contractor chip seal construction challenges by forcing the chip seal emulsion to develop cohesive strength with the chip aggregate at least 50% sooner than alternatives. The chip seal becomes tougher faster, allowing for sweeping to occur much sooner, greatly reducing the risk of vehicle windshield damage.

"Road Science's ArrTekk CRS chemistry is taking the chip seal industry to the next level, enabling expansion of its use as an effective pavement preventive maintenance technique," said Ivann Harnish, Commercial Director, Road Science. "By lowering costs, saving time and reducing damage risks, agencies, producers, contractors and the public will all benefit from chip seals formulated with ArrTekk CRS."

ArrTekk CRS emulsifiers are just the latest innovation from Road Science that's helping the asphalt paving industry extend road life while ensuring motorist safety.

About ArrMaz & Road Science

ArrMaz is a global leader in the development of specialty chemicals for the asphalt, mining, fertilizer, phosphate, and oil and gas industries worldwide. Since 1967, ArrMaz has manufactured chemical process aids and additives formulated to optimize process performance and product quality.

Road Science, a division of ArrMaz, is a technology leader in the supply of asphalt emulsifiers and additives to the global asphalt paving market. Much more than "off-the-shelf" products, our complete system solutions include technical services such as job field support, mix design, formulation support, crew training and specification development to meet the unique needs of customers and the asphalt paving industry. For more information about our company and products, please visit us online at ArrMaz.com or RoadScience.net.

SOURCE Road Science, a Division of ArrMaz