Does Tar crack in the cold like concrete? Wouldn it be cheaper for Road repairs?
Temperature extremes, moisture infiltration and erosion are those constants we can depend on. Tar, i.e. coal tar a petroleum based material has more limitations than concrete. It is severely effected more so than concrete due to it’s loose molecular structure lending itself to moisture infiltration. As it is produced with external heat, the same process occurs naturally at lesser temperatures, but facilitating hairline fissures which allow moisture penetration. Pressure from heavy loads carried by semi tractors also effects the deterioration factor. In cold conditions, the moisture freezes, expands and cracks the road tar. This continual process makes way for erosion, thus “pot holes”. Tar is used for warm weather patching of damaged asphalt roads and concrete as well. Modified Concrete, currently the road construction state of the art, contains many additives to resist cracking and deterioration from temperature extremes in variations as it is is internally heated and continues to get
