The Importance of Evaporation Rate When Using An Asphalt Solvent – PavePro

If you’ve spent time in the asphalt paving world, you know that your job can be limited by a poor asphalt solvent. Keeping your equipment clean is the key to a successful pave. Asphalt solvents, also known as asphalt cleaners, are designed to break down the sticky asphalt so it can easily be removed from tools and equipment and make the job a whole heck of a lot easier for your workers. Not only that, but a good asphalt solvent like PavePro can keep your paving machines up and running much longer and prevent downtime on the side of the road.

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What is an Evaporation Rate?

The evaporation rate is one overlooked element when shopping for an asphalt solvent. Related to flashpoint, the evaporation rate is what makes an asphalt solvent powerful. You can use the flashpoint to measure the evaporation rate because it is the temperature at which the solvent begins to evaporate or vaporize.

While the flashpoint of a solvent does not directly affect the power of a solvent, it does affect how long a solvent works. That’s the difference and that is what is important.

Let’s look at some of the science behind different types of solvents and cleaners and their related flashpoints.

The Flashpoints of Various Solvents

Although citrus cleaners have not been banned by the EPA, unlike diesel fuel, they are considered Resource Conservation & Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste because their flashpoints are below 140° F. Citrus cleaners have a much lower flashpoint than the threshold clocking in at 115°F. Like citrus, diesel fuel has a dangerously low flashpoint at 130°F. That is, in addition to being banned by the EPA.

PavePro – 200°F +
Diesel – 130°F
Citrus – 115°F

The chart above shows the various flashpoints of PavePro, diesel fuel and citrus.

PavePro has the highest flashpoint of any asphalt solvent clocking in well over 200°F+. In fact, PavePro’s flashpoint is so high that we aren’t able to test it in the standard flashpoint testing procedure. Not to mention it is not banned by the EPA, nor considered hazardous material by the RCRA, making it the safest solvent on the market for both flashpoint and biodegradability.

The Problem with Diesel Fuel As A Solvent or Release Agent

The asphalt you lay down is hot, ranging anywhere between 300-350°F on average. Why would anyone want to use a solvent or release agent that evaporates or flashes at less than half of that temperature?

The lower the flashpoint of your solvent, the less time the solvent has to work. Not to mention the danger of using diesel fuel as a solvent or release agent, its 130°F flashpoint makes it less effective as a solvent that doesn’t evaporate away.

Citrus Is Even Worse

Sure, citrus is legal, but with a flashpoint 15°F below diesel fuel, it evaporates away faster than diesel. While it might be an effective cleaner, you will find yourself re-applying citrus-based asphalt solvents to get the cleaning results you want.

PavePro Evaporates Slowly

PavePro has a flashpoint of well over 200°F stopping it from evaporating away, allowing the solvency to melt right through the asphalt when cleaning or preventing it from clinging to your tools as a release agent. Because it won’t evaporate away like citrus and diesel, PavePro is a longer-lasting solution that outperforms its competition.

PavePro – 50 shovel loads

Diesel – 37 shovel loads

Citrus – 25 shovel loads

The chart above shows the total number of shovel loads of asphalt before buildup occurs.

It was developed to replace the use of solvents and cleaners like citrus and diesel fuel for cleaning asphalt off of tools and equipment. Not only is it much safer to use in asphalt operations, but PavePro is more effective because it doesn’t evaporate away allowing it to work longer and harder than its competition. Additionally, PavePro leaves behind a slick, oily film that works as a release agent on your tools and paving equipment. It stays on longer and works harder so that you can spend less time cleaning up at the end of the day.

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