alext87 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Bitumen can behave as a glue at relatively low temperature, how can this property be explained using its microstructure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tetrahedrite Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Bitumen (as far as I know) is made of a series of long chain hydrocarbons of varying types. At low temps these long chain molecules with high molecular weights are bonded fairly strongly by intermolecular forces but not by chemical bonds. This bonding allows the bitumen to act as a glue. When the bitumen is heated the intermolecular forces are easily overcome which allows it to flow like a liquid. If the bonds were chemical rather than intermolecular it would require enormous amounts of energy to get the bitumen to flow. Bitumen acts in much the same way as candle wax if that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT2095 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Bitumen can behave as a glue at relatively low temperature, how can this property be explained using its microstructure? as an Amorphous solid would be the closest definition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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