06/04/2026
How is asphalt actually made?
Asphalt pavement is primarily made from:
✅ Aggregate (rock and sand)
✅ Liquid asphalt binder (a petroleum-based product)
✅ Carefully controlled heat and mixing processes
The aggregate provides structure and strength.
The binder acts like glue, coating the rock and holding everything together.
One of the most important parts of asphalt design is the binder grade.
You may hear terms like:
• PG 64-22
• PG 70-22
“PG” stands for Performance Grade.
The numbers represent temperature ranges the asphalt is engineered to handle:
• The first number (64 or 70) represents high-temperature performance
• The second number (-22) represents low-temperature cracking resistance
Example:
👉 PG 64-22 performs well up to 64°C pavement temperatures
👉 PG 70-22 is designed for even higher heat and heavier traffic conditions
Generally speaking:
✔ PG 64-22 is common for standard roadway and parking lot applications
✔ PG 70-22 is often used for heavier traffic loads, intersections, truck traffic, and demanding environments
The right asphalt mix design helps pavement last longer, resist rutting, and handle Texas heat more effectively.
At DanCo, we believe good pavement starts with understanding the materials beneath the surface.