Asphalt emulsions formulation: State-of-the-art and dependency of formulation on emulsions properties

• The properties of asphalt emulsions depend dramatically on formulation and process.
• Formulation of an asphalt emulsions depends on the final application.
• Handling and formulation of asphalt emulsions are very complex tasks.
• Industrial problems can be solved by staff with a strong background in formulation and rheology.

Formulation of asphalt emulsions constitutes a complex task. Formulator must evaluate a series of parameters related to the emulsion properties and its application. Among these mainly parameters, one must consider the emulsion stability, viscosity (and rheological behavior), droplet size (and distribution) and other variables related to raw materials such as asphalt chemical composition, available surfactants, chemical reagents, etc. Other special considerations must also be taken into account, for example, the handling of the bitumen emulsion and the breaking process. Currently, the use of chemical additives such as asphalt or emulsion modifiers and adhesion promoters can play a significant role in the emulsion formulation. The current study aims to review the current state-of-the-art of asphalt emulsion manufacturing and also aims to provide a practical guide to improve its formulation when trying to fabricate a well-specified asphalt emulsion for its use on road infrastructure.