Asphalt cement is a material that is commonly used in the construction industry. It is a type of petroleum-based material that is used to bind together aggregates such as sand, gravel, and crushed stone to create asphalt concrete. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of asphalt cement, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Asphalt cement is a type of liquid asphalt that is used to bind together aggregates to create asphalt concrete. It is also known as bitumen or asphalt binder. It is a black, sticky, and viscous material that is derived from crude oil.
According to the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), asphalt cement is defined as “a thermoplastic material that is produced by the refining of crude petroleum. It is a dark brown to black cementitious material, solid or semi-solid in consistency, which gradually softens when heated.”
Origin
The use of asphalt as a binding material dates back to ancient civilizations. The Babylonians and the Egyptians used asphalt to waterproof their buildings and structures. The Romans used asphalt to pave their roads, and it was also used as a waterproofing material for their aqueducts.
The modern use of asphalt cement began in the late 1800s when it was first used to pave roads. The first asphalt pavement was laid in Newark, New Jersey, in 1870.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, asphalt cement is defined as “a dark brown to black cementitious material that is produced by the refining of crude petroleum and is used for waterproofing, roofing, and paving.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines asphalt cement as “a black, sticky substance used for making road surfaces and roofing materials.”
Associations
Asphalt cement is commonly associated with road construction and maintenance. It is used to pave roads, highways, and parking lots. It is also used as a waterproofing material for roofs and foundations.
Asphalt cement is also associated with the petroleum industry, as it is derived from crude oil. It is a byproduct of the refining process and is used in the production of asphalt concrete.
Synonyms
Asphalt cement is also known as bitumen, asphalt binder, and asphalt emulsion.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of asphalt cement, but alternative binding materials such as concrete and cement can be used in place of asphalt cement.
The same root words
The root word of asphalt cement is “asphalt,” which comes from the Greek word “asphaltos,” meaning “secure” or “safe.” The word “cement” comes from the Latin word “caementum,” which means “rough stone or chippings used for building.”
Example Sentences
- The road crew applied a layer of asphalt cement to the freshly graded road.
- The roofers used asphalt cement to seal the edges of the roofing membrane.
- The asphalt cement plant produces thousands of gallons of binder each day.
- The contractor chose to use asphalt cement instead of concrete for the parking lot.
- The engineer specified a certain grade of asphalt cement for the road project.