Mastic asphalt is a dense mixture of bitumen, filler and aggregate that is laid in a heated, fluid state and levels itself. Unlike ordinary asphalt, mastic asphalt contains so much binder that it does not need to be compacted with a roller; it effectively flows into place.
Application
Mastic asphalt is used as a hard-wearing, waterproof finish. Common applications are floors in industrial halls and car parks, surface layers on balconies and roof terraces, and the wearing course on bridge decks. It is also used as an underlay beneath tiling or as waterproofing on flat roofs.
Because the material is worked hot (around 220 to 250 degrees), it bonds well and forms a seamless, completely closed layer. Once cooled, the floor is immediately trafficable and fully watertight.
Characteristics
As mastic asphalt contains no voids, it is impermeable to water and very durable. The layer is elastic enough to absorb slight movements of the substrate without cracking. A drawback is the high working temperature, which demands skill and the right equipment. To provide slip resistance, fine chippings are often scattered into the still-warm surface.
Related terms
- asphalt
- bitumen
- mastic
- screed floor
- roof covering
- screed
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