Reclamite Rejuvenator and Its Role in Asphalt Longevity

[MikePhua]

The Origins of Reclamite Technology
Reclamite is a petroleum-based rejuvenating emulsion developed in the mid-20th century as part of a broader movement toward proactive pavement preservation. Originally formulated to restore the chemical balance of oxidized asphalt, Reclamite gained traction in North America during the 1970s as municipalities sought cost-effective alternatives to full-depth reconstruction. The product was designed to penetrate the surface of aged asphalt, replenishing lost maltenes and improving flexibility.
Superior Road Products, one of the leading suppliers of Reclamite, has deployed the emulsion across thousands of lane-miles in the United States and Canada. Its use spans from newly laid highways to aging residential streets, with applications tailored to climate, traffic load, and surface condition.
Terminology Annotation

• Maltenes: The oily components of asphalt binder responsible for flexibility and adhesion.
  
• Raveling: The progressive disintegration of asphalt surface due to loss of binder and aggregate.
  
• Cold Joint: A discontinuity between two asphalt placements that can lead to premature cracking.
  
• Construction Seal: A surface treatment applied immediately after paving to lock in binder and prevent early oxidation.
  

Application on New Asphalt Surfaces
When applied to freshly laid asphalt, Reclamite acts as a construction seal. It penetrates the surface matrix, sealing micro-voids and enhancing compaction. This results in:

• Improved cold joint integrity
  
• Reduced permeability to water and air
  
• Enhanced resistance to stripping and freeze-thaw cycles
  
• Delayed onset of surface cracking
  

In one Ontario highway project, Reclamite was applied within 48 hours of paving. Engineers observed a 30% reduction in early-life cracking and a measurable increase in surface density. The treated pavement also showed better resistance to snowplow abrasion during the first winter.
Maintenance Use on Aged Pavements
Reclamite is equally effective as a maintenance seal on oxidized asphalt. When pavements begin to show signs of brittleness, surface cracking, and aggregate loss, Reclamite can restore flexibility and extend service life by 5–7 years. The emulsion penetrates up to 3/8 inch, depending on surface porosity and temperature, and rebalances the binder chemistry.
Typical maintenance cycle:

• Initial Reclamite application at year 0
  
• Follow-up fog seal or chip seal at year 5
  
• Optional second Reclamite treatment at year 10
  

This approach has been adopted by several counties in Minnesota, where freeze-thaw damage is severe. In one case, a rural road treated with Reclamite in 2010 remained crack-free until 2018, outperforming untreated control sections by nearly double.
Cost Effectiveness and Lifecycle Economics
Compared to mill-and-overlay or full-depth reconstruction, Reclamite offers significant savings. A typical application costs between $0.80 and $1.20 per square yard, depending on mobilization and traffic control. In contrast, resurfacing can exceed $10 per square yard.
Benefits include:

• Lower lifecycle cost
  
• Reduced traffic disruption
  
• Minimal equipment footprint
  
• Fast curing time (typically under 2 hours)
  

Studies from the University of Texas Transportation Institute show that roads treated with Reclamite every 5 years can maintain structural integrity for up to 25 years with minimal intervention.
Application Parameters and Best Practices
To ensure optimal performance, Reclamite must be applied under specific conditions:

• Surface temperature above 50°F (10°C)
  
• No precipitation forecast for 24 hours
  
• Clean, dry pavement free of dust and oil
  
• Uniform spray coverage at 0.05–0.10 gallons per square yard
  

After application, a light sand blotter may be spread to prevent tracking. Traffic can typically resume within 1–2 hours, depending on ambient conditions.
Equipment and Deployment History
Reclamite is applied using specialized distributor trucks equipped with calibrated spray bars and onboard heating systems. These units evolved from early oil spreaders used in chip sealing and now feature GPS-based rate control and real-time monitoring.
Superior Road Products began deploying these systems in the 1980s, and by 2020 had treated over 50 million square yards of pavement across North America. Their fleet includes both single-axle and tandem-axle units capable of handling urban and rural routes.
Environmental and Regulatory Considerations
While petroleum-based, Reclamite is engineered to minimize environmental impact. It contains no volatile solvents and meets EPA standards for VOC emissions. Its use reduces the need for energy-intensive reconstruction, lowering carbon footprint over the pavement’s lifecycle.
In California, where air quality regulations are strict, Reclamite has been approved for use in multiple counties. Field audits show no detectable runoff into stormwater systems when applied correctly.
Final Thoughts
Reclamite is more than a surface treatment—it’s a strategic tool in pavement asset management. Whether sealing new asphalt or rejuvenating aged surfaces, it offers a blend of chemistry and engineering that extends pavement life, reduces costs, and improves performance. As infrastructure budgets tighten and sustainability becomes paramount, treatments like Reclamite will play an increasingly vital role in keeping roads safe, smooth, and resilient.