Academy · SealMaster how-tos · Sealcoating

Outlined from SealMaster

Coal Tar vs Asphalt-Based Sealers

How the two sealer families differ in chemistry, flexibility, and fuel resistance.

Outline

1. What You'll Learn

   Why the trade split east and west, what coal tar pitch and petroleum asphalt actually are, and how the cured films differ under traffic, temperature, and fuel.

2. Understanding the Divide in the Sealcoating Industry

   Coal tar dominated east of the Rockies and asphalt-based sealers dominated the west, mostly from who manufactured nearby and what crews already knew. The article says that split is softening.

3. Why Coal Tar Sealers Have Historically Dominated the East

   Eastern manufacturers sold coal tar for decades, so crews kept using the material they were trained on. Familiarity, not a new test, is the reason given.

4. Why Asphalt-Based Sealers Lead in Western Markets

   Western practice favored asphalt-based sealers for easier handling, less odor, a darker look, and a film that moves. That is the article's account, not a national rule.

5. Chemical Differences: Coal Tar Pitch vs. Petroleum Asphalt

   The performance split starts with the feedstock. Coal tar pitch and petroleum asphalt are not the same binder.

6. What is Coal Tar Pitch?

   Coal tar is a coke-oven byproduct. Refined RT-12 pitch is the sealer ingredient. The article contrasts its chemistry with asphalt from oil refining.

7. What is Petroleum Asphalt?

   Asphalt is the heavy fraction left after crude is distilled. Emulsified, it becomes the base of an asphalt sealer. The article notes low odor compared with coal tar.

8. Coal Tar Production

   A short process note in the source: pitch comes from refining crude coal tar, then goes into the sealer blend.

9. Asphalt Production

   The matching note: vacuum distillation separates asphalt from the lighter fuels. That residue is the binder in an asphalt-based sealer.

10. How Asphalt and Coal Tar Sealers are Made

    Coal tar sealers mix water, fillers, and pitch and cure hard and glossy. The article credits them with strong resistance to fuel and chemicals.

11. Durability and Flexibility

    Both films protect. They do not behave the same once they cure, especially when the pavement moves.

12. Coal Tar Sealers

    They cure to a hard, dense film. That hardness is the early protection, and it is also why the article says they are less forgiving when the pavement flexes.

13. Asphalt-Based Sealers

    They are refined asphalt emulsions, closer to the pavement's own binder. The article credits that match with flexibility across seasons.

14. Fuel and Chemical Resistance

    Coal tar's headline advantage is fuel and oil resistance. Asphalt-based sealers resist many non-petroleum chemicals, and the article says their fuel resistance has historically been lower.

15. The Eastward Shift: Growing Popularity of Asphalt-Based Sealers

    Over the last decade the article describes asphalt-based sealers moving into old coal-tar markets, sold on handling and a rich black color.

16. Future Outlook: Continued Growth and Innovation

    The source expects that eastern shift to continue and says SealMaster has added products for it. Treat that as the manufacturer's outlook.

17. SealMaster Expertise and Support

    The close returns to prep, material, and local support. It is a credit line, not a new technical step.