About Us
Suppliers of Construction Materials
Trinidad Lake Asphalt
Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA, TNA, Epuré) is perhaps the most famous source of natural bitumen. It occurs as a semi-solid emulsion of soluble bitumen, mineral matter and other minor constituents. Mined from the world famous ‘pitch lake’ in the south west of Trinidad, West Indies, it has enjoyed continuous use in asphalt products for well over 100 years.
TLA is first surface mined from the 100 acre ‘lake’.
The mined Trinidad Lake Asphalt is subjected to a simple refining process resulting in a material remarkably constant in its soluble bitumen content of 53 to 55%. The mineral component is similarly fixed at 36 to 37%. This mineral constituent works in combination with the bitumen component to produce the beneficial properties of TLA.
Until recently TLA has only been available in 240kg drums but is now available as a granulated product (TNAC 0/8) pre-packed in easily handled low-melt bags. It can also be supplied blended with cellulose fibres (NAF501) for addition to SMA mixtures. Both products are manufactured to DIN EN ISO 9001.
TLA modified asphalt materials provide;
- Increased durability
- Increased mixture stability
- Improved anti-rutting performance
- Improved pavement load carrying
- Improved whole-life pavement costs
- A light coloured, safer, surface
- Enhanced skid resistance properties
- Enhanced workability of asphalt mixtures
- Layer equivalency benefits
- Improved fatigue performance
- Improved low temperature cracking characteristics
- Improved resistance to high-temperature deformation
- Improved ability to display pigments effectively
- Effective blending with other additives and bitumens
TLA has a proven history of successful asphalt mix modification, backed up by exhaustive test data from around the globe. TLA has proved to be particularly effective in heavy duty pavements which must demonstrate cost-effectiveness and high performance. These applications include; race tracks, container handling facilities, highways, bridges and airports.
TLA can be stored with no detrimental effect, in marked contrast to many polymers. TLA can easily be added to any asphalt mixture, in any quantity, at any time and mixed at elevated temperatures with no degradation or loss of performance.
In recent years, TLA has demonstrated that it is particularly well suited to use in modern thin surfacing systems. It is routinely used in Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA), Asphaltic Concrete, Gussasphalt and Mastic Asphalt materials.
For SMA, replacing 20 to 30% of the binder with TLA is normally specified which produces an economical alternative to polymer modification, with the added benefits of easy storage and addition.
Major projects where Trinidad Lake Asphalt has been successfully used include;
- Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge (Japan)
- Tsing Ma Bridge (Honk Kong)
- Lincoln & Holland Tunnels (USA)
- The Nurburgring race circuit (Germany)
- Seagirt Marine Terminal (USA)
- The Mall (London)
- Piarco (Trinidad), Grantley Adams (Barbados) & Copenhagen (Denmark), JFK (USA) Airports
- Major highways in Japan, Europe, USA and elsewhere
The Company
Welcome to Asphalt Associates Ltd;
Suppliers of high quality, sustainable products providing cost effective solutions for the asphalt industry.
We are a distributor for Trinidad Lake Asphalt.
The longest established and best known asphalt pavement modifier for the creation of durable pavement structures.
Asphalt Associates Ltd is a UK based company committed to sourcing and supplying the very best materials for best value, long-life asphalt structures. We only source & manufacture materials with proven durability and technical support. Further detail can be found in the Products and Projects sections of our website.
Asphalt Associates Ltd is a Director-owned independent UK company whose aim is to provide cost-effective solutions to producers, specifiers and users of asphalt materials.
We believe that the investment in asphalt should be protected and that protection should range from material selection to extending the useful life of the product. We are confident that by supplying Trinidad Lake Asphalt we can achieve best value in the procurement & use of asphalt products.
TLA is a bitumen modifier which provide beneficial alternatives to polymer modifiers and can also enhance certain characteristics in combination with them. Small quantities can be supplied in easy to handle packages: no need for bulk storage of modified bitumen for a bus-bay or small junction.
Asphalt Associates Ltd also provides technical services and routinely sources & ships a large variety of contruction materials to customers around the world.
With decades of collective experience we can frequently provide solutions where others have failed.
For further information on our services and products please use our internet resource and contact page. product or service you'd like to show.