Assessment of SMATEX, a Bardon thin asphalt surface course

Proprietary thin surfacings are being offered by materials suppliers in the United Kingdom, including SMATEX by Bardon Aggregates Limited (now known as Aggregate Industries Limited). Information has been assembled on the properties and performance of SMATEX, with particular emphasis on the section of the A1 at Eaton Socon, where the material was laid in June/July 1995. SMATEX has been assessed and found to comply with all stages of the Highways Agency 5-Stage Procedure for Evaluating New Materials and has been granted Departmental Type Approval by the Highways Agency for use as a thin surfacing on trunk roads, including motorways, in England. (A)