Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) Pavement Basics

Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement can best be defined as:
The many different types of mixtures of aggregate and asphalt cement that are produced at an elevated temperature in an asphalt plant. Pavement designers specify different mixture types to satisfy different pavement performance demands and to accommodate variability in the nature and cost of available aggregates and supplies. It is sometimes referred to as macadam, blacktop or asphalt pavement.

Hot-Mix Asphalt pavement is typically delivered to the job site in dump trucks at a temperature of 300 - 315 degrees Fahrenheit. The material is spread and leveled utilizing a machine called an asphalt paver (unless the area is too small - then the material is spread by hand). The material is then compacted with vibratory rollers, vibratory plates and hand tampers before the material cools to a temperature of 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hot-Mix Asphalt pavement is extremely popular for the following reasons:

• It is the most cost effective option for your driveway or parking lot
• If installed correctly, HMA can be expected to last 20 - 25 years
• It can be installed more quickly than other options such as concrete or brick pavers
• It is both strong and flexible, making it ideal for colder temperature zones where constant freezing and thawing occur
• It is not damaged by salt
• Due to the dark color, HMA allows snow and ice to melt quickly

Serving East Central Indiana for the past 50 years including Shelby, Rush, Hancock, Marion, Johnson,
Bartholomew, Decatur, Franklin, Union, Fayette, Wayne, Henry, and Madison County.