High fidelity graded asphalt / tarmac analogue. Providing for exacting realism and the ability to create urban roads, rural highways and airport runways without compromise.
Researched, Developed and Manufactured in the UK.

Originators Note:
The challenge of modelling highway surfacing that does not look like mis-appropriated sand-paper has long been a problem.

A new approach researched by Specialist Aggregates specifically for professional model makers combines close grading with unique particle shape to produce a material that has a granular appearance but presents to a smooth flat surface, just like a real asphalt or tarmac road or runway but in miniature.

Our asphalt analogue can either be laid as a scatter onto a suitable adhesive (not supplied) or made into a paste using (for instance) PVA glue and screeded onto a base.

Actual Grain Size: 0.5mm
Graded asphalt analogue provides for a realistic road and runway surface at a range of modelling scales, however, it provides for a high fidelity analogue at O and G Gauge to real life asphalts and tarmac

Pack size: 3kg (Approx 2000 Cm³ - Sufficient to cover 3Sqm at scatter thickness)

Description:
Our meticulously crafted asphalt analogue not only adds authenticity to contemporary, retro and fantasy landscapes but becomes a critical element in the storytelling narrative. We pay the utmost attention throughout our unique manufacturing processes to ensure that the product you receive is free from dust, thus allowing you to create without compromise and providing you with the material to create a sensory experience that transcends its miniature scale.

Colours, textures and most importantly the "true to scale" size of our Ultra Realistic Asphalt Analogue are all carefully chosen, ensuring that the product not only reflects the diversity of actual highway and runway applications but also provides for the ability to use in conceptualised Worlds.( Do aliens have roads ? - web Editor)

Asphalt or Tarmac ?
The use of the terms Asphalt and/or Tarmac in the UK comes down to history with a twist of nomenclature brought about by harmonisation of European Standards.

Asphalt is recorded as being used for waterproofing by the Greeks and Romans. Historically the material was based on naturally occuring surface seepages of petroleum oils, the two most famous being in Trinidad and Neuchatel in Switzerland. During the 19th Century the product started to be used for paving streets of major cities like London and Paris and whilst it helped to reduce dust it wasn't always favoured as it was considered to be slippery for horses compared to traditional granite setts.

Modern asphalts comprise a mortar of thick petroleum oil (bitumen) mixed with fine sand and crushed rock fillers.

Tarmac was a late comer to the party but provided for the ultimate recycled material first being manufactured at the turn of the 20th century by mixing crushed blast furnace slag, a byproduct of iron smelting, with tar, itself a byproduct of manufacturing coke from coal, again a component in the iron smelting process.

With the demise of iron and steel manufacturing from the 1960's onwards, blast furnace slag was replaced with crushed limestone and granite and tar was superseded with petroleum bitumen.
Asphalts rely on the strength of the sand/bitumen mortar, whilst Tarmac has a lower bitumen content it relies on the interlocking strength of the stone particles.

From the 1970's onwards research into increasing the stone content of manufactured asphalts blurred the gap between the two families of materials and the term (tar)macadam was finally dropped with European harmonisation of standards in 2008.

To cut a long story short the correct modern name for highway surfacing materials is asphalt, however for old boys from the black stuff and for dioramas with roads prior to 2000 in my book the term Tarmac is perfectly acceptable.

Colour & Form:
We take great care to provide accurate images, however, shade variations can occur both with the products themselves and with ambient lighting.

When used for modelling, perceived variance to colour and reflectance can occur due to base materials and adhesives used.

It can be difficult to adequately describe and visualise grain size, we do, however, show products in context with additional images.

Delivery:
This product option is packed in a secure weatherproof pack.
Delivery is either by post, national or international couriers. Our checkout allows for you to advise us of any delivery requirements or concerns you may have.

Specify: Graded Asphalt Analogue from Specialist Aggregates