Which ingredients are used to make asphalt floor tiles?

Asphalt tiles are composed of a mixture of four primary ingredients:12

• Binders: Either asphalts or synthetic resins (approximately 25 percent of the composition). Some modern versions may also include a small amount of vinyl binder to improve color brightness and grease resistance.1
• Asbestos fibres: These make up approximately 25 percent of the tile.1
• Mineral fillers: These constitute approximately 50 percent of the mixture.1
• Pigments: Used to provide color to the tiles.12

When asphaltic binders are used, the color is typically limited to black, brown, or dark reds. In contrast, tiles based on plasticized resins allow for a wider range of colors, including blues, greens, yellows, and reds. The ingredients are processed at high temperatures to create a dough, which is then calendered into sheets and die-cut to size.1