Understanding Bitumen

Bitumen is a byproduct of crude oil. it is composed of complex hydrocarbons and contains elements like calcium, iron, sulfur, and oxygen. The quality of material and ease of production depends on the source and type of crude oil from which it is derived. It was first used for its natural adhesive and waterproofing characteristics, helping to bind building materials together, as well as to line ship bottoms.

Bitumen can deform permanently under heavy loads. Continued stress on the material can result in cracking. It oxidizes, which can leave the asphalt brittle. The way its shape is affected depends on a few things, including the composition of the asphalt mixture and the ambient temperature.

As noted above, bitumen isn’t just produced by distilling crude oil, it’s also a naturally-occurring product. The term is also used to refer to oil sands or partially consolidated sandstone containing a naturally occurring mixture of sand, clay, and water that is saturated with a dense and extremely viscous form of petroleum.

Bitumen penetration grade

Bitumen penetration grades are ideal for paving roads and other surfaces. They are named after their method of grading. For classifying bitumen after production, we use a device named penetrometer. The device has a standard needle that penetrates the sample of bitumen and helps us measures the hardness level of bitumen. If the needle goes easily into the bitumen sample in a given time, the bitumen is softer, but if it struggles to enter the sample, it is harder. The softest grade of bitumen penetration is called 100/120, and the hardest grade of bitumen penetration is called 30/40. Other grades of bitumen penetration are 40/50, 50/70, 60/70, 80/100, and 85/100.

Bitumen penetration 60/70

The most conventional grade of bitumen that performs well in the majority of road projects, is bitumen penetration 60/70. This grade of bitumen is the best option for coating and adhesion of aggregates in a wide range of temperatures (from -22 to +76).

Although this grade of bitumen is less processed in comparison to other grades of bitumen, its quality is acceptable. To ensure that bitumen 60/70 will stand up to various temperatures, we do a number of tests on it, right after production. Among these tests are penetration, softening point, ductility, and flash point.

As bitumen pen 60/70 is widely used across the world, it has hundreds of producers, among them the Middle Eastern countries. The region is currently a hub for bitumen 60/70 traders.  The quality of bitumen pen 60/70 in this region is guaranteed with an acceptable amount of valuable hydrocarbons present in it. In addition, this bitumen price in the Middle East is much affordable than other countries too.

Bitumen Penetration 80/100

Another widely used grade of penetration is bitumen 80/100. This bitumen’s level of hardness makes it ideal for paving roads in India and Central African countries.

The popularity of bitumen pen 80/100 lies also in the fact that it can reduce the costs of road construction substantially. With an affordable price, this grade of bitumen helps traders with increasing their margins and end users with extending the service life of the roads.

Just like bitumen pen 60/70, main refiners and suppliers of 80/100 grade are located in the Middle East. The region is one of the leading producers of crude oil in the world, therefore, its capacity for producing bitumen with premium quality is exceptional. Bitumen 80/100 in the Middle East is much affordable than other countries as well.

MC bitumen

The use of petroleum solvent causes the viscosity of bitumen to decrease, and this is the reason for using it, and based on the standard, this value for bitumen MC250 is between 250 and 500 according to CST at 60 degrees Celsius.

Due to the reduction of viscosity, this type of bitumen can be used in less time, it saves fuel consumption significantly. After using and using this type of bitumen, after a period of about 24 hours, its petroleum solvent evaporates in the open environment and pure bitumen remains, the reason being that it will have a good influence on its fluidity at the time of use, and from this point of view, it is suitable for cavity use. I see. And asphalt joints are used in hot and cold weather.

The quality of this type of bitumen is a function of the quality of use and the quality of petroleum solvents used in it.

The more petroleum solvent used in this type of bitumen, the more fluid the bitumen and its viscosity decreases.

Liquid bitumen are classified into two general categories: emulsion bitumen and soluble bitumen. And soluble bitumen are divided into three general categories, including MC bitumen and RC bitumen, as well as SC bitumen.

And in this division, the MC bitumen category is divided into sub-branches. MC30, MC250, MC800 and MC3000 are classified.

Bitumen Viscosity Grade

Another prominent method of grading bitumen is the viscosity grading system, which leads to the classification of bitumen into four categories, VG 10, VG 20, VG 30, and VG 40.

Each grade of viscosity bitumen has certain applications and performs differently in various temperatures. VG 10, for instance, is widely used in spraying applications and surface coating. As viscosity grades have various properties, it is vital to check their viscosity level, penetration value, and other specifications, before making any decision.

In comparison to bitumen penetration grades, VG bitumen grades are tested and classified more carefully. They are recognized for their accuracy, predictability, durability, and reliability of specifications.

Bitumen VG 10

Although bitumen VG10 and bitumen pen 80/100 have some similar properties, they do not have the same performance. Due to its better resistance to changes in temperature, particularly in cold regions, VG10 achieves higher efficiency in road projects, compared to bitumen 80/100.

Owing to the fact that only a few of bitumen refineries are capable of producing VG10 bitumen, this grade of viscosity bitumen will cost slightly more than bitumen 80/100. See the latest price of bitumen VG10.

Since bitumen VG 10 is more costly to be traded overseas, it is highly important for bitumen traders to check the quality of bitumen before making a deal. Currently, the only way to make sure that a bitumen VG 10 has a good quality is to ask for the result of regular tests done in any refinery.

Bitumen VG 30

Bitumen VG30 is similar to bitumen 60/70 in terms of appearance; however, these two grades have different capabilities. First of all, a high quality vacuum bottom is used in the production of VG30 bitumen. Secondly, VG 30 bitumen is proven to work more efficiently than pen grade bitumen 60/70, because it is tested more carefully.

Another thing you need to know when buying VG 30 bitumen is the price. Compared to bitumen 60/70, the price of VG 30 is a bit higher, mainly because of its better quality and performance in road projects

Bitumen VG 40

Refineries produce VG 40 bitumen for being used in countries with higher temperatures. This grade of bitumen efficiently improves a pavement’s resistance to problems associated with higher temperatures and heavy traffic loads, due to its higher viscosity.

With its accuracy, predictability, and durability, bitumen VG40 is the best choice for road projects in Indian and African countries. However, traders always face the challenge of recognizing high quality VG 40 and not purchasing similar grades by mistake. To avoid this, we test the properties of bitumen twice before loading, once in the refinery, and once in the port.