Bitumen is produced through the distillation of crude oil and also occurs naturally. Bitumen is known for its waterproofing and adhesive properties. It is composed of complex hydrocarbons and contains elements like

• calcium
• iron
• sulfur
• and hydrogen.

Understanding Bitumen

Bitumen is a byproduct of crude oil. it is composed of complex hydrocarbons and contains elements like calcium, iron, sulfur, and oxygen. The quality of material and ease of production depends on the source and type of crude oil from which it is derived. It was first used for its natural adhesive and waterproofing characteristics, helping to bind building materials together, as well as to line ship bottoms.

1. Bitumen can deform permanently under heavy loads.
2. Continued stress on the material can result in cracking.
3. It oxidizes, which can leave the asphalt brittle. The way its shape is affected depends on a few things, including the composition of the asphalt mixture and the ambient temperature.
4. As noted above, bitumen isn't just produced by distilling crude oil, it's also a naturally-occurring product. The term is also used to refer to oil sands or partially consolidated sandstone containing a naturally occurring mixture of sand, clay, and water that is saturated with a dense and extremely viscous form of petroleum.

Bitumen Uses

The product has several modern uses. It's generally meant for industrial use and is commonly found in road paving. The majority of U.S. roads are made of either bitumen or a combination of bitumen and aggregates, such as concrete.

Another key use for bitumen is waterproofing. For instance, it was commonly used to waterproof boats and other marine vessels, as well as the sides of buildings. It was used in ancient times as mortar in building construction.

Along with being used as a waterproofing agent and acting as an adhesive, engineers who replace asphalt roads can reuse the material for other road projects. Bitumen is also commonly used by companies that create and manufacture roofing products. 

Another early use of bitumen was in photography and medicine. When bitumen was applied to plates and exposed to light, early photographers were able to produce static black and white images. This process, though, was long and drawn out.1 And some cultures—notably Persian—used bitumen to treat certain illnesses, such as gastrointestinal and bone disorders.

Ancient civilizations traded the material and Herodotus, a fifth-century BC Greek historian, claimed that the walls of ancient Babylon contained bitumen.

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