Bitumen, Tar, and Pitch: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each?

Have you ever wondered if all those names for when you drive on the road do not refer to the same material?! Otherwise, there is a common misunderstanding between bitumen, tar, pitch, and asphalt, which are crucial components in road construction, roofing, and industrial applications. It does matter to recognize which one is better for your manufacturing aims through their origins, chemical aspects, or various considerations.

Bitumen is a non-crystalline, semi-solid, tacky, and black petroleum byproduct or natural matter from lakes, forming the core of asphalt (5% of the mix) for roads, highways, and waterproofing. Tar is a deep black, heavy, high-gravity, viscous liquid that comes from distilling coal, wood, peat, or petroleum. It has a higher carbon content than bitumen and is used in roofing and wood preservation. Pitch has a wide range of high-viscous textures, liquid or semi-solid, which is made from tar or petroleum.

In this article, we’ll dive into the differences among these materials, the advantages of using each in the best situation, and the main manufacturing process. Follow this article to learn how to create such a vivid mind map of this natural dark world!

Material	Primary Source	Production Method	Key Characteristics
Bitumen	Crude oil	Distillation (straight-run, air blowing, deasphalting, blending)	Heaviest fraction, viscous, used in roads, roofing
Tar	Coal, wood, petroleum, peat	Destructive distillation (heating without air)	Viscous liquid, dark, used in chemicals, waterproofing
Pitch	Coal tar, wood tar, petroleum	Further distillation of tar or direct heating	Dense, solid, used for sealing, insulation
Gypsum	Calcium sulfate dihydrate	Mining, crushing into small manners and dehydration	Soft, mineral, in white or grey shade

What Is Bitumen, Tar, Pitch, And Gypsum?

To introduce our key materials in industrial constructions, let’s review what exactly they are and what they’re made from.

Bitumen

Bitumen is a byproduct of petroleum distillation. It is a non-crystalline, semi-solid, tacky, and black substance that can be categorized by its forms, sources, consistency, and applications. Bitumen comes from two main sources: first, the natural source is found at the bottom of lakes or other water sources, and second, it stems from petroleum.

According to Bitumen vs. Asphalt, bitumen is the core component of bonding asphalt material together. It is contained in about 5% of the asphalt mixture, and 95% refers to sand and stones.

Tar

A deep black, heavy, high-gravity viscous liquid made from the distillation of coal, wood, bituminous shales, or coal gas manufacturing. Compared to bitumen, it has a richer carbon content. Also, it’s used for surface painting under specific conditions, as a practical wood preservative, and for road construction.

Pitch

It refers to a wide range of high-viscous texture liquids that can appear in solid content, too. In the high-temperature carbonization process, pitch may be produced from petroleum or plant sources such as coal.

Additional Point: Pitch and tar can be used interchangeably. Moreover, the tar pitch has four grades as soft pitch, soft-medium pitch, hard-medium, and hard pitch. It can be utilized in water proofing, binding, timber and protective methods.

Gypsum

A soft mineral composed of calcium sulfate, which can be white or grey. In contrast with bitumen, which is mainly used for road construction and waterproofing, gypsum is such a game-changer in interior structure, like shaping a uniform surface for ceilings, a soil conditioner, or construction materials, for example, plaster, cement, and drywall.

If you’ve ever wondered how these materials are made, we will provide you with an explanation of the production process of each below.

How Bitumen, Tar, And Pitch Are Manufactured?!

As time goes by, methods for manufacturing and distillation processing of these materials are expanded. Here are some standard techniques of bitumen, tar pitch, and gypsum production and several key tips:

Bitumen processing

Typically, bitumen is made by heating crude oil and separating each component by its boiling points in a distillation tower, as bitumen is the heaviest fraction collected at the vacuum bottom. Then it goes under the purification part, which can differ based on the chosen method. As mentioned in Raha bitumen, the straight-run method includes vacuum distillation, which can obtain absolute bitumen in this way.

Pro Tip: Below are various ways of bitumen processing in which there is a similar operation, and each of them is used for a specific final application:

The air-blowing method for oxidation
The straight-run distillation method
The solvent deasphalting method
The blending method with additives

Tar production

The production of tar is characterized by destructive distillation. It starts by heating organic components such as coal, wood, petroleum, or peat in a condition that has no air at high temperatures. It causes crushing compounds to smaller ones.

Tar Hint: In general, coal tar is produced by code, while wood tar comes from heating, and each step can change the tar’s properties.

Pitch production

Due to continuous tar distillation, we’ve got to the pitch production right after the tar part. Moreover, pitch may be produced by heating primary materials (coal, wood, or petroleum). Below are three different ways of obtaining pitch with tar-based materials:

Wood Pitch: Through heating the wood tar at high temperatures and in no-air condition.
Coal Tar Pitch: Coal tar is a byproduct of coke production, which is used in a heating process to eliminate lighter fractions.
Petroleum Pitch: What remains from the petroleum refining process is called pitch, which can be similar to bitumen but with differences due to their refining properties.

Gypsum processing

This process begins with mining the natural gypsum or calcium sulfate dihydrate, then breaking them into achievable sizes. Dried content grounded into powder and dehydrated to be collected by cyclone systems. These processes can be varied in a range of small-scales and manual to completely automatic manufacturing systems.

Physical and chemical properties

Exploring the physical and chemical features of bitumen, tar, pitch, and gypsum is also critical for proper usage in manufacturing, interior design, or construction. Let’s find out what our products should have to meet our manufacturing needs:

Color: Bitumen, tar, and pitch are in a black or dark brown shade, while gypsum has a white, gray, or colorless color.
Viscosity: Bitumen becomes syrupy and firm by decreasing the heat, while tar and pitch have a high viscosity, which can be a solid or a gluey liquid. Gypsum is found in solid shapes.
Texture: Pitch has such a solid to semi-solid in cold temperatures, while gypsum is a soft, crystalline powdered texture. Bitumen and tar are mainly in semi-solid or viscous liquid.
Volatility: Pitch and bitumen have low volatility and break down before the boiling point, while tar has a more moderate range than others. Gypsum just loses water and moisture when heated.
Thermal Behavior: Bitumen, tar, and pitch become soft when heated and hard through oxidation or air exposure. Gypsum (non-volatile) dehydrates at high temperatures to shape plaster.
Composition: Bitumen, tar, and pitch are made from Hydrocarbons (aromatic, naphthenic, or aliphatic), phenols, wood, and organic materials, while gypsum comes from mineral manners like calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Property	Bitumen	Tar	Pitch	Gypsum
Color	Black or dark brown	Dark brown to black	Black or dark brown	White, gray, brown, or colorless
State	Viscous liquid to semi-solid	Viscous liquid	Solid to semi-solid	Solid, crystalline
Density (g/cm³)	1.01–1.06	~1.1–1.2	~1.2–1.3	~2.3
Viscosity	High, temperature-dependent	High	Extremely high	N/A (solid)
Solubility	Insoluble in water	Insoluble in water	Insoluble in water	Moderately soluble in water
Composition	Hydrocarbons	Hydrocarbons, phenols	Aromatic hydrocarbons, resins	Calcium sulfate dihydrate
Adhesive	Strong	Strong	Strong	Weak
Waterproofing	Excellent	Excellent	Excellent	Poor

A Contextual View of the Historical and Cultural Base of Bitumen, Tar, And Pitch

These gluey materials have been attached to human being’s lives and their continuous civilization for centuries. Bitumen, tar, and pitch have been playing such a magnificent role in construction, mummification, waterproofing, and medicinal aims. Here is a reflection of the history and culture of these deep dark matters:

Bitumen, In the Warp and Weft of History

Archeologists discovered the earliest usage of bitumen for sticking stone tools about 40 ‘000 years ago. As noted in ThoughtCo, researches show that In Mesopotamia at places such as Syria or Iraq, bitumen had been used for constructing and boat waterproofing.

In ancient civilizations like Egypt, Sumer, and Akkadian in Babylon, they used to aid bitumen to construct their buildings, mummification mixture, or mortar and ship caulking due to its water-proof properties. Not only did ancient economic systems get lightened by the trade of bitumen, but also it caused effective cultural and political changes at those times.

Tar, a viscosity leader, or a historical binder?!

Wood tar not only played a crucial role in constructing manners like protecting wooden vessels and sealing the ships’ hulks, but also commonly used in Finland to heal intrusive disease, as a Finnish proverb says: “if sauna, vodka, and tar won’t help, the disease is fatal”. Not surprised, if the tar water was utilized for flavoring the candies or alcohol drinks.

During the Viking age, tar was frequently produced from tar kilns and had such fundamental importance in Sweden’s economy through exporting to European countries in enormous amounts. (source: Cambridge University Press)

A Pitchy Night of History: Pitch

Same as two other materials, pitch was such a practical tool in sealing and waterproofing the wooden vessels and containers, or pottery vessels which were used to preserve the wine. Otherwise, its usage in medicine as a glazing force and its polishing properties for optical lenses and mirrors had an efficient role-play in naval stores and seagoing culture aspects.

General Use Cases Vs. Industrial and Constructive Usage

As crucial materials in industry and construction, bitumen, tar, and pitch offer a wide range of applications that can meet specific manufacturers’ needs. Below, the different usage of each is clarified:

Bitumen: Due to its flexibility and waterproofing, it has a high popularity in construction and roads’ asphalt. However, it’s mainly used for binding gravely matters like sand and stones to make the perfect asphalt in highways and parking lots where durability and high-tolerance are needed. Moreover, due to its flexible nature, it can be used in low-slope roofs, and waterproofing the basements.

It makes a cost-efficient choice, while doesn’t need high maintenance processing. In the end, because of its endurance under cold weather and water, propone such a top-notch option for modern projects. Explore Bitumen Suppliers in the UAE

Tar: Unlike bitumen, tar takes place in various niche positions in industrial applications. For instance, it’s used in roofing structures in flat roofs where UV resistance and preventing rot are requested. Then, due to its waterproof aspects, it can protect wooden structures.

All of these properties should make it perfect for every application, but due to its high maintenance costs and some environmental considerations that we’ll discuss later, it creates a range of limitations. That’s where bitumen and tar come against each other.

Pitch: When it comes to the pitch, it’s likely to explore a combination of traditional and industrial usage, however the modern applications have a bit of limitations as well. In old ships, pitch seals the wooden hulls, in electrical components plays a covering role for cables, and due to its saltwater resistance work for marine surfaces coatings.

Furthermore, it’s higher than two other matters in costs and has such a lower tolerance against cold weather which keeps pitch less usual than them.

Final Station: Health And Environmental Considerations

Emissions and Toxicity of Tar and Pitch: As tar and pitch are mainly made from coal or wood, they release volatile organic compounds or VOCs which may have short- or long-term effects in humans’ health and increase air pollution.

In case of not managing the coal tar pitch production properly, it includes harmful components like PAHs for both environmental space and workers.

Bitumen Stability vs. Handling Risks: Also, tar is less stable than bitumen, with higher boiling point. However hot processes may harm a worker’s respiratory system through some irritating fumes, its environmental effects are less intensive.

Gypsum’s Benign Nature vs. Hydrocarbon Hazards: Typical usage of gypsum refers to drywall and plaster, releases no harmful fumes, and contains low risk of ecological damage due to its fire-resistance and non-toxicity properties.

Also, in contrast with bituminous based hydrocarbons which can pollute soil and water if mishandled, gypsum doesn’t contaminate them.

Material	Toxic Emissions	VOCs Released	Stability	Health Risks
Bitumen	Low (if well handled)	Moderate	High, stable under cold and wet conditions	Fumes from hot application can irritate respiratory system
Tar	High	High	Moderate stability	Includes PAHs; can be harmful to skin/lungs
Pitch	High	High	Lower cold resistance	Carcinogenic; harmful with poor handling
Gypsum	None	None	High, fire-resistant	Low risk, safe handling

Conclusion

Bitumen, tar, pitch, and gypsum create magnificent applications in construction and industry due to their origins, production methods, and properties. Bitumen stands out as a stable, cost-effective choice for roads and waterproofing, derived from petroleum and having flexible and various applications. Tar includes benefits like UV-resistant roofing and wood preservation, though maintenance needs limit its use. Pitch, a denser byproduct, excels in sealing and insulation. Gypsum, a benign mineral, transforms interiors with plaster and drywall, contrasting the hydrocarbon trio’s hazards focus.

FAQs

1- What are some general uses of pitch?

It can be utilized in water proofing, binding, timber and protective methods. Moreover, in old vessels, pitch seals the wooden hulls, electrical components cover cables, and due to its saltwater resistance work for marine surfaces coatings.

2- How is bitumen manufactured?

Bitumen is normally made from heating crude oil and separating each component by their boiling points in a distillation tower. Bitumen is the heaviest fraction which is collected at the vacuum bottom. Then it goes under the purification part which can differ based on the chosen method.

3- How is tar produced?

The production of tar is characterized by destructive distillation. It starts by heating organic components such as coal, wood, petroleum, or peat in a condition which has no air at high temperature. It causes crushing compounds to smaller ones.

4- What are the environmental concerns with these materials?

Tar and pitch release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contain carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), posing risks to air quality and worker health. Bitumen pours out fumes when heated, though it’s more stable with a lower environmental footprint. Gypsum is benign, producing no toxic emissions and minimal ecological harm compared to these hydrocarbons.