Which of the following is NOT a SMA component?

• A. Coarse Aggregate
• B. Mortar for thick binder films
• C. Mineral Filler
• D. Asphalt Binder

Answer: (B)

In Stone Mastic Asphalt, you build the mix around a coarse-aggregate skeleton that is then coated with a thick, stiff film formed by asphalt binder in combination with mineral filler. The actual components you specify for SMA are the coarse aggregate, the asphalt binder, and the mineral filler. The term describing a “mortar” for thick binder films refers to the asphalt mastic that results from mixing binder with filler, not a separate ingredient added as a distinct component. So that option isn’t a standalone SMA component, whereas the other three—coarse aggregate, mineral filler, and asphalt binder—are.