Pavement Preservation

About Slurry Seal & Micro surfacing

Slurry seal and Micro surfacing are excellent solutions for roads that are in the early stage of deterioration. The mixture of Aggregate, Asphalt Emulsion, Water and Additives are applied in a smooth layer over existing pavement. By doing this early in the pavement’s life-cycle, you can cost-effectively extend the life of the road up to seven years or more.

Slurry seal and Micro surfacing provide many benefits: sealing the existing pavement from further water intrusion; restoring surface friction; requiring no adjustment of the curb line or manholes due to the thin lift height; and a desirable black appearance to the public.

The main difference between Slurry seal and Micro surfacing is that slurry seal uses a standard asphalt emulsion which requires evaporation to occur and sets in several hours. Micro surfacing uses a polymer-modified asphalt emulsion that produces a chemical reaction to force the moisture out and can set in less than an hour allowing traffic to return quickly. Plus, it allows for night time paving. Slurry seal is typically used on residential streets and parking lots, while Micro surfacing is applicable for all roads, including interstate highways.

Slurry seal and Micro surfacing can be used as a stand-alone process or combined with other preventive maintenance methods. For example, cape seal is a combination of chip seal and slurry seal or micro surfacing.

Cape seal works extremely well for residential and collector streets that don’t have significant structural issues. By applying slurry seal or micro surfacing on top of chip seal, you get the durability and strength of the chip seal with a Slurry seal or Micro surfacing finish. It reduces loose aggregate, adds durability and provides a safe skid resistance surface – providing a finish that is similar to an asphalt overlay, but at a lower cost.

Bergkamp is an industry leader with machines that are well known for quality and performance. Please check out our full line of slurry seal and micro surfacing equipment.

This presentation was given by Rex Eberly, formerly of Bergkamp Inc., to students of VECAT (VIRGINIA EDUCATION CENTER FOR ASPHALT TECHNOLOGY) as part of a certification program. If you have any questions about calibrating equipment, please contact us.

For more information on slurry seal and micro surfacing, visit the International Slurry Surfacing Association’s (ISSA) Website: www.slurry.org.