Asphalt

Asphalt is a mineral pitch of a black or brownish-black colour, consisting chiefly of carbon. There is also a limestone of this name which is impregnated with bitumen, and found more or less in every quarter of the globe.

The bituminous pitch used in making asphalt is also called asphalt. It is sometimes found in natural deposits, but usually made by distillation of crude oil. The mixture of dark bituminous pitch with sand and gravel is used for surfacing roads, flooring, roofing, etc.