Tar vs. Asphalt — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 11, 2023
Tar is a dark, thick liquid obtained from the destructive distillation of organic material like coal or wood. Asphalt is a sticky, black substance primarily used for road construction and is a mixture of bitumen and mineral aggregates.
Difference Between Tar and Asphalt
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Tar is a black, viscous liquid derived from the distillation of organic matter such as coal or wood. It is primarily used for its waterproofing and adhesive properties. Asphalt, on the other hand, is commonly used in road construction and consists of bitumen mixed with mineral aggregates like sand and gravel. While both are used as binding agents, tar is generally organic, and asphalt is a petroleum byproduct.
The production of tar often involves heating organic material to high temperatures in an oxygen-deprived environment. This process yields a thick, sticky substance used in various applications including roofing and as a sealant. Asphalt is produced by refining crude oil and is mainly employed to create durable, smooth road surfaces. It can also be manipulated to create various forms for specific construction needs.
One major difference between tar and asphalt is their resistance to weather conditions. Tar tends to deteriorate more quickly under UV exposure and is less durable in extreme temperatures. Asphalt, conversely, possesses greater weather resistance and durability, making it more suitable for road construction and other heavy-duty applications.
In summary, while both tar and asphalt are black, sticky substances used for various construction purposes, they differ significantly in composition, production, and application. Tar is more commonly used in smaller-scale projects for its adhesive and waterproofing qualities, whereas asphalt is predominantly used in road construction due to its durability and resistance to weather.
Comparison Chart
Source
Organic matter like coal or wood
Petroleum byproduct
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Main Use
Waterproofing, adhesive
Road construction
Composition
Primarily organic
Mixture of bitumen and mineral aggregates
Weather Resistance
Less resistant to UV and temperature extremes
More resistant to weather conditions
Production Process
Destructive distillation
Crude oil refining
Compare with Definitions
Tar
A thick, black liquid derived from organic matter.
Tar is used to waterproof wooden boats.
Asphalt
A black, sticky substance used primarily for road construction.
The city decided to repave the roads with asphalt.
Tar
A binding and sealing agent.
They used tar to seal the roof against leaks.
Asphalt
A highly durable construction material.
Asphalt is preferred for its long-lasting nature.
Tar
A substance with adhesive properties.
Tar sticks to most surfaces it contacts.
Asphalt
A petroleum byproduct.
Asphalt is produced from crude oil refining.
Tar
A material used for smaller-scale construction projects.
Tar was applied to mend the wooden fence.
Asphalt
A mixture of bitumen and mineral aggregates.
Asphalt consists of bitumen mixed with sand and gravel.
Tar
A dark, thick flammable liquid distilled from wood or coal, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, resins, alcohols, and other compounds. It is used in road-making and for coating and preserving timber.
Asphalt
A weather-resistant material.
Asphalt can withstand extreme temperature conditions.
Tar
A less weather-resistant construction material.
Tar tends to deteriorate faster under UV rays.
Asphalt
To pave or coat with asphalt.
Tar
Tar is a dark brown or black viscous liquid of hydrocarbons and free carbon, obtained from a wide variety of organic materials through destructive distillation. Tar can be produced from coal, wood, petroleum, or peat.Mineral products resembling tar can be produced from fossil hydrocarbons, such as petroleum.
Asphalt
Asphalt, also known as bitumen (UK: , US: ), is a sticky, black, highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. It may be found in natural deposits or may be a refined product, and is classed as a pitch.
Tar
A sailor.
Asphalt
A mixture of dark bituminous pitch with sand or gravel, used for surfacing roads, flooring, roofing, etc.
Tar
Cover (something) with tar
A newly tarred road
Asphalt
Surface with asphalt.
Tar
A dark, oily, viscous material, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons, produced by the destructive distillation of organic substances such as wood, coal, or peat.
Asphalt
See bitumen.
Tar
See coal tar.
Asphalt
A mixture of bitumen with crushed stone gravel or sand, used for paving or roofing.
Tar
A solid residue of tobacco smoke containing byproducts of combustion.
Asphalt
A sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid, composed almost entirely of bitumen, that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits.
Tar
A sailor.
Asphalt
Ellipsis of asphalt concrete, a hard ground covering used for roads and walkways.
Tar
To coat with or as if with tar.
Asphalt
(transitive) To pave with asphalt.
Tar
A black, oily, sticky, viscous substance, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons derived from organic materials such as wood, peat, or coal.
Asphalt
Mineral pitch, Jews' pitch, or compact native bitumen. It is brittle, of a black or brown color and high luster on a surface of fracture; it melts and burns when heated, leaving no residue. It occurs on the surface and shores of the Dead Sea, which is therefore called Asphaltites, or the Asphaltic Lake. It is found also in many parts of Asia, Europe, and America. See Bitumen.
Tar
Coal tar.
Asphalt
A composition of bitumen, pitch, lime, and gravel, used for forming pavements, and as a water-proof cement for bridges, roofs, etc.; asphaltic cement. Artificial asphalt is prepared from coal tar, lime, sand, etc.
Tar
(uncountable) A solid residual byproduct of tobacco smoke.
Asphalt
To cover with asphalt; as, to asphalt a roof; asphalted streets.
Tar
A sailor, because of the traditional tarpaulin clothes.
Jack Tar
Asphalt
Mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing
Tar
(uncountable) Black tar, a form of heroin.
Asphalt
A dark bituminous substance found in natural beds and as residue from petroleum distillation; consists mainly of hydrocarbons
Tar
(computing) A program for archiving files, common on Unix systems.
Asphalt
Cover with tar or asphalt;
Asphalt the driveway
Tar
(computing) A file produced by such a program.
Tar
A Persian long-necked, waisted string instrument, shared by many cultures and countries in the Middle East and the Caucasus.
Tar
A single-headed round frame drum originating in North Africa and the Middle East.
Tar
(transitive) To coat with tar.
Tar
(transitive) To besmirch.
The allegations tarred his name, even though he was found innocent.
Tar
To create a tar archive.
Tar
A sailor; a seaman.
Tar
A thick, black, viscous liquid obtained by the distillation of wood, coal, etc., and having a varied composition according to the temperature and material employed in obtaining it.
Tar
To smear with tar, or as with tar; as, to tar ropes; to tar cloth.
Tar
Any of various dark heavy viscid substances obtained as a residue
Tar
A man who serves as a sailor
Tar
Coat with tar;
Tar the roof
Tar the roads
Common Curiosities
What is Asphalt?
Asphalt is a black, sticky substance mainly used in road construction.
How is Tar Produced?
Tar is produced through the destructive distillation of organic materials.
Can Tar Be Used for Roads?
Tar is less commonly used for roads due to its lower weather resistance.
How is Asphalt Produced?
Asphalt is produced by refining crude oil.
What is Asphalt Mainly Used For?
Asphalt is mainly used for road construction.
What is the Texture of Asphalt?
Asphalt is sticky and pliable.
Can Asphalt Be Used for Sealing?
Yes, but it is primarily used for road surfaces.
What is Tar?
Tar is a thick, black liquid derived from the distillation of organic matter like coal or wood.
What is Tar Mainly Used For?
Tar is mainly used for waterproofing and as an adhesive.
Is Tar Weather-Resistant?
Tar is generally less resistant to weather conditions than asphalt.
Is Asphalt Weather-Resistant?
Yes, asphalt is more resistant to weather conditions.
Is Tar Organic?
Yes, tar is primarily an organic substance.
Is Asphalt Organic?
No, asphalt is a petroleum byproduct.
What is the Texture of Tar?
Tar is thick and viscous.
What are the Health Risks of Tar?
Tar fumes can be harmful if inhaled and it can irritate the
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
