Cement, Concrete & Asphalt

Asphalt, cement and concrete are construction materials which are commonly used around the world. The primary difference between asphalt and concrete is that asphalt is made by mixing aggregate with bitumen, a sticky black hydrocarbon which is extracted from natural deposits or crude oil. Both are types of cement. Concrete is made by mixing an aggregate material with a cement binder and then allowing the mixture to harden, forming a rock-like substance.

Asphalt and concrete are used for different construction tasks, ranging from roofing to sidewalks.

Technically, asphalt is actually a form of concrete, since “concrete” really means any mixture of an aggregate and a binder which solidifies after curing. This is why Engineers refer to “asphalt concrete,” meaning “a type of concrete made with bitumen as a binder.” However, most lay people use “concrete” to refer specifically to a mixture of aggregate with a binding cement.

Concrete and asphalt are often compared in terms of which is better. Asphalt is said to have more give and flexibility than concrete. Concrete is credited for deflecting global warming as it is lighter in color. Durability, strength and cost are all considerations weighed in choosing the proper cement for the task.