Bitumen

Bituminous materials are dark brown or black, semi-solid or liquid, thermoplastic mixtures of hydrocarbons derived from natural or synthetic processes in which hydrocarbon mixtures have lost their volatile components leaving a denser residue. Natural bitumen come from exposed and weathered petroleum and rock deposits.

Applications:
Bituminous materials are used for road construction, roofing, waterproofing, and other applications. For themain application, which is road construction, the major concerns, as with concrete, are cost and durability.