Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1 | Supplier Turkey & UAE

Key Properties of Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1

ASTM D2397 Full Specification — Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1

FOB Price — Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1

Why CSS-1? The Cationic Advantage Explained

The fundamental difference between CSS-1 and anionic emulsions like SS-1 lies in the electrical charge of the bitumen particles. In CSS-1, the bitumen droplets carry a positive charge (Zeta potential +). Most siliceous aggregates — granite, quartzite, sandstone, river gravel, basalt — carry a negative surface charge. The electrostatic attraction between the positively charged bitumen and the negatively charged aggregate surface triggers immediate chemical bonding upon contact, independently of water evaporation.

This dual breaking mechanism — electrostatic reaction plus water evaporation — gives CSS-1 three critical advantages over anionic emulsions. First, it bonds effectively with a far wider range of aggregate types, including siliceous materials that are the dominant roadbuilding aggregate across West Africa (laterite, granite), South Asia (quartzite, basalt), and parts of Southeast Asia. Second, it can be applied to damp or wet aggregate surfaces without adhesion loss, making it far more practical during tropical rainy seasons. Third, it breaks at lower ambient temperatures, extending the usable working season into cooler weather where anionic emulsions would fail to cure properly.

Applications of Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1

Prime Coat (0.5–1.2 L/m²): CSS-1 is one of the most widely specified prime coat materials globally, used to penetrate and bind granular or stabilised base courses before asphalt overlay. Its low viscosity (20–100 SFS) allows deep penetration into porous bases, coating and bonding loose mineral particles, waterproofing the base layer, and creating a strong adhesion surface for the asphalt course above. It is the standard solvent-free, cold-applied alternative to cutback bitumen prime coats on environmentally regulated and urban sites. Application rate varies from 0.5 L/m² on dense, well-compacted bases to 1.2 L/m² on highly porous or open-graded bases.

Tack Coat (0.2–0.5 L/m²): Applied to existing asphalt or concrete pavement surfaces before a new asphalt overlay, CSS-1 eliminates slippage planes between construction lifts. The cationic charge ensures strong interlayer adhesion even on surfaces that are slightly dusty or damp — a practical advantage during tropical construction seasons where perfect surface conditions are difficult to guarantee. Application rate: 0.2–0.3 L/m² on clean dense surfaces; 0.4–0.5 L/m² on milled or porous surfaces.

Fog Seal (0.3–0.7 L/m², diluted 1:1): Sprayed onto aged or oxidised asphalt surfaces to restore surface flexibility, reduce ravelling, and seal micro-cracks before they develop into potholes. CSS-1’s cationic nature ensures better adhesion to worn asphalt surfaces compared to anionic grades, particularly on roads with siliceous aggregate surfacing.

Slurry Seal and Microsurfacing: CSS-1 is mixed with fine aggregate, mineral filler, water, and additives to produce a slurry mix for pavement preservation. Its slow-setting nature allows extended mixing and spreading time before breaking begins. The cationic charge is particularly effective when limestone or siliceous aggregate fines are used, ensuring full coating of high-surface-area fine particles before the emulsion sets.

Dense-Graded Cold Mix (0.2–0.3 L/m² by aggregate weight): CSS-1 is mixed with well-graded aggregate at a central plant or in-situ for cold mix stockpile patching material. The slow setting provides extended workability on-site or during transport from a central plant. The cationic charge ensures effective coating of high-fines-content aggregates that would resist coating by rapid-setting grades.

Base Stabilisation: CSS-1 is injected or mixed into granular or laterite base courses in-situ as part of pavement rehabilitation. The emulsion penetrates the base, coats aggregate particles, and after curing creates a stabilised layer with improved load-bearing capacity and reduced moisture susceptibility. This is a particularly high-value application in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia where natural laterite roads require periodic stabilisation.

Dust Control on Unpaved Roads (diluted 1:2 to 1:3 with water): Applied at 0.5–2.25 L/m² to bind surface particles on unpaved, laterite, or gravel roads. CSS-1’s cationic charge bonds strongly to siliceous dust particles, providing longer-lasting dust suppression than anionic alternatives on granite and basalt-derived gravel roads.

CSS-1 vs SS-1 vs CSS-1h — Complete Grade Selector

CSS-1 Dilution Guide

CSS-1 can be diluted with clean potable water immediately before application. Always add water to emulsion slowly while stirring — never add emulsion to water. Do not use seawater, hard water, or water containing calcium or magnesium salts as these destabilise the cationic emulsion. Maximum dilution is 1:1 (50% emulsion, 50% water). Never mix CSS-1 with anionic emulsions.

Packaging & Shipping

Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1 is exported in new steel drums (200 litres, sealed on pallets), IBC tanks (1,000 litres), or flexi tanks (16,000–20,000 litres in a 20ft container). For large project requirements, bulk tanker delivery is available from our Iskenderun and Jebel Ali terminals. Flexi tank is the most cost-effective packaging for large-volume import orders at port terminals across Africa and South Asia.

Storage: keep between 5°C and 60°C in sealed containers away from direct sunlight. Do not expose to freezing temperatures. Do not mix with anionic emulsions, calcium-based additives, or Portland cement. Shelf life: 4–6 months from production date in undisturbed sealed containers.

Export Destinations

Zumrut International Kimya exports Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1 to road construction contractors, government road authorities, and bitumen trading companies across West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda), the Middle East (Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia), and South Asia (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan). Shipments depart from Iskenderun Port (Turkey) and Jebel Ali Port (UAE) with lead times of 14–30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cationic Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1

What does CSS-1 mean in bitumen emulsion?

CSS-1 stands for Cationic Slow Setting, Grade 1. “C” indicates cationic — the bitumen particles carry a positive electrical charge, enabling direct electrostatic bonding with negatively charged siliceous aggregates. “SS” indicates slow setting — the emulsion has an extended breaking time that maximises workability for mixing and prime coat penetration. Grade “1” distinguishes it from CSS-1h, which uses a harder base bitumen residue for better performance in hot climates.

What is the difference between CSS-1 and CSS-1h?

Both CSS-1 and CSS-1h are cationic slow-setting emulsions meeting ASTM D2397. The sole difference is the hardness of the bitumen residue after distillation: CSS-1h uses a harder base bitumen (penetration 40–90 dmm) for better rutting resistance and interlayer bond strength in hot climates where pavement temperatures regularly exceed 50°C. CSS-1 (penetration 100–250 dmm) is more flexible, making it better suited for prime coat applications and cooler climates. For tack coat on high-traffic roads in Africa and the Middle East, CSS-1h is usually the preferred specification.

Can CSS-1 be applied to wet or damp surfaces?

Yes — this is one of CSS-1’s most important practical advantages. The cationic charge enables direct electrostatic bonding with aggregate surfaces even when they are damp, because the chemical reaction between the positive bitumen particles and the negative aggregate surface occurs independently of water evaporation. However, CSS-1 should not be applied during active rainfall or when standing water is present on the surface. Surfaces should be damp, not saturated.

What is the difference between CSS-1 and SS-1?

CSS-1 is cationic (positive charge) while SS-1 is anionic (negative charge). This difference determines which aggregate types each grade bonds with effectively. CSS-1 is preferred for siliceous aggregates (granite, quartzite, basalt, river gravel) common in West Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. SS-1 is preferred for calcareous or limestone aggregates common in North Africa and parts of the Middle East. CSS-1 also performs better on wet surfaces and in cooler weather, while SS-1 is generally lower cost and reacts with Portland cement to form a water-insoluble salt.

What aggregates are compatible with CSS-1?

CSS-1 bonds effectively with virtually all aggregate types due to its cationic charge, but is particularly superior for siliceous and acidic aggregates — granite, quartzite, sandstone, basalt, river gravel, and laterite — which carry a strong negative surface charge that attracts the positive bitumen particles. For basic or calcareous aggregates (limestone, dolomite), either cationic or anionic emulsions perform well, though anionic grades are sometimes preferred due to lower cost.

Does CSS-1 need heating before application?

No — CSS-1 is a cold-applied emulsion that requires no heating on site. It is applied at ambient temperature using a calibrated bitumen distributor, pressure sprayer, or brush. In very cold conditions below 5°C, gentle warming to 30–40°C may improve spray uniformity, but temperatures above 70°C must be avoided as overheating breaks the emulsion’s chemical stability. The elimination of heating equipment makes CSS-1 significantly safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than cutback bitumen alternatives.

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