---
title: "Does asphalt (hot-mix) float in water? No"
description: "Asphalt (hot-mix) sinks — its density is 2,350 kg/m³ against water's 1,000. Why density and not weight decides it."
url: https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/asphalt/
site: "At One Place"
---

# Does asphalt (hot-mix) float?

**Does asphalt (hot-mix) float?: No**

2,350 kg/m³ against water's 1,000

Asphalt (hot-mix) sinks. At 2,350 kg/m³ it is 2.35 times denser than water.

## Why

Floating is decided by density alone — mass divided by volume — compared against the fluid. Weight has nothing to do with it directly: a 200-tonne ship floats and a 2-gram pebble sinks, because the ship encloses enough air to bring its average density below that of water. That is also the only reason a steel hull works.

## The numbers

- **Density:** 2,350 kg/m³ (2,200–2,450)
- **Relative to fresh water:** 2.350×
- **Floats in fresh water:** No
- **Floats in seawater:** No

## Compared with other materials

| Material | Density | Floats |
| --- | --- | --- |
| aramid fibre (Kevlar) | 1,440 kg/m³ | No |
| woven carbon fibre composite | 1,550 kg/m³ | No |
| unidirectional carbon fibre composite | 1,600 kg/m³ | No |
| magnesium | 1,738 kg/m³ | No |
| brick | 1,900 kg/m³ | No |
| fibreglass (GRP) | 1,900 kg/m³ | No |
| fired clay (terracotta) | 1,900 kg/m³ | No |
| PTFE | 2,170 kg/m³ | No |
| fused quartz | 2,200 kg/m³ | No |
| graphite | 2,200 kg/m³ | No |

## Common questions

### Does asphalt (hot-mix) float in water?

No — at 2,350 kg/m³ it is denser than water's 1,000.

### Does weight decide whether something floats?

No, density does. A 200-tonne ship floats and a small pebble sinks, because the ship encloses enough air to bring its average density below water.

## Related pages

- [Asphalt (hot-mix) properties](https://atoneplace.net/material/asphalt/)
- [Does air float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/air/)
- [Does expanded polystyrene foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/eps-foam/)
- [Does rigid polyurethane foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/polyurethane-foam/)
- [Does EVA foam float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/eva-foam/)
- [Does balsa float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/balsa/)
- [Does corrugated cardboard float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cardboard/)
- [Does cork float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cork/)
- [Does western red cedar float?](https://atoneplace.net/does-it-float/cedar/)

## Sources

- Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place (/about/)