Query: What is the difference between hot-mix and cold-mix asphalt?
Context: Quick Cooling: Hot mix asphalt is poured at temperatures above 300 degrees Fahrenheit, yet it cools fast, allowing for minimal road closure durations. Because hot mix asphalt cools so fast, the road may be opened with traffic moving in as little as a few hours. Cold-mix asphalt is insufficient for typical automobile usage. It must be replaced more frequently because it can only sustain light traffic loadings for such a short time before it becomes unsafe for travel. Hot-Mix Asphalt Benefits: The high temperature during construction allows for faster pavement curing and longer service life before replacement is needed. Paving contractors who use this type of asphalt also have an advantage when it comes to bidding projects because its quality is usually seen as equal to or better than other types of asphalt. Cold-Mix Asphalt Benefits: Cold-mix asphalt can be used in conditions where quick heating is not necessary or desirable, such as on roads that will see only light traffic loads. It can also be used if the project requires a wider variety of soil conditions to be mixed into the asphalt, resulting in greater project flexibility and lower costs. The main disadvantage of cold-mix asphalt is that it must be replaced more often because it does not provide long-term protection against heat damage or wear-and-tear. The choice between hot-mix and cold-mix asphalt should be based on project needs and environmental factors such as air quality standards.