Also, the infrared process does not change the inherent characteristics of the asphalt. In addition to this, the conventional method has the great disadvantage of leaving a cold joint. Even when a very thorough job is done, one is still placing heated material against a cold surface. Whenever you have two materials of varying temperatures placed side by side, a weak area is created. Even with proper compaction, there really is nothing to adequately bond the two surfaces together and eventually these surfaces will separate because these two will expand and contract at different rates.
Water infiltrates the cracked and raveled areas causing patch failures.
Infrared produces better results with less effort. Infrared is a very easy and very profitable way to repair asphalt. Asphalt reclaiming and asphalt recycling are useful for effective road and HMA asphalt maintenance. One can also use this to repair utility cuts, trenches, keyholes, phone lines, runways, bridge deck, drain gutter and many others.