Cationic Emulsifiers for Micro Surfacing and Slurry Seal
What are Micro Surfacing and Slurry Seal?
Micro surfacing and slurry seal are preventive pavement maintenance treatments that apply a mixture of asphalt emulsion, aggregate, mineral filler, water, and additives to restore pavement surfaces and protect the underlying structure.
These treatments improve ride quality, restore pavement profiles, seal existing surfaces against moisture intrusion, and extend pavement life while reducing maintenance costs.
How Polyram™ Improves Micro Surfacing and Slurry Seal Performance
Strong Aggregate Adhesion
Polyram™ cationic emulsifiers are engineered to provide excellent adhesion between the asphalt emulsion and aggregate, reducing both early construction raveling and long-term aggregate loss.
Comparative testing against two leading market chemistries demonstrated that Polyram™ consistently achieved 30–70% less aggregate loss in 6-day Wet Track Abrasion Test (WTAT) testing, the industry's primary measure of long-term micro surfacing and slurry seal durability. Field evaluations in Kansas and Florida confirmed these performance advantages.
Improved Mixing Control
Polyram™ provides 20–150% longer mixing times under hot pavement and hot aggregate conditions, allowing contractors to pave more efficiently during warm weather while maintaining consistent workability.
Faster Return to Traffic
The chemistry allows precise control of emulsion break and curing, supporting faster traffic return in cool weather and nighttime paving. Arkema also offers emulsion additives that accelerate strength development and curing when project conditions require it.
Benefits of Polyram™ Cationic Emulsifiers
- Superior aggregate adhesion and reduced raveling
- 30–70% less aggregate loss in WTAT testing
- 20–150% longer mixing time under hot conditions
- Faster traffic return through controlled curing
- Lower emulsion reprocessing and tank clean-up costs
- Reduced contractor complaints and formulation adjustments
- Improved operational efficiency
- Longer-lasting pavement performance
Arkema's Polyram™ Emulsifier Solutions
A Road Science® cationic bitumen emulsifier, Polyram™, is specifically engineered for high-performance micro surfacing and slurry seal applications.
Polyram™ is compatible with all asphalt and bitumen types, including paraffinic binders and binders modified with SBS, SBR, and natural latex. The technology is also formulated to perform with a wide range of reactive and non-reactive aggregates, including granite, diabase, basalt, chert, limestone, and sandstone.
By combining advanced emulsifier chemistry with laboratory testing and field technical expertise, Arkema helps customers produce stable emulsions that improve constructability, accelerate project completion, and deliver longer-lasting pavement preservation treatments.
Optimize Your Pavement Performance
Explore Polyram™ emulsifier technology or contact Arkema's technical experts to identify the right solution for your next slurry seal or micro surfacing project.
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