Bitumen

Bitumen is a black, sticky, and highly viscous form of petroleum. It’s typically found in natural deposits, like tar sands, or produced as a byproduct of crude oil refining. Bitumen is primarily made up of hydrocarbons and is commonly used in road construction, roofing, and waterproofing.

In road construction, bitumen is mixed with aggregates to create asphalt, which is used for paving highways and roads. Its adhesive and water-resistant properties make it an ideal material for sealing roofs, creating waterproof membranes, and even in some industrial applications.

It’s a complex mixture of high molecular weight compounds, which gives it its thick and heavy consistency. Depending on the source and how it’s processed, bitumen can vary in terms of its hardness, color, and performance characteristics. When it's hot, bitumen is liquid and flows easily; when cooled, it becomes solid or semi-solid, which is why it’s often heated during construction processes.