WHICH BITUMEN IS USED IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION?

Bitumen is used in road construction for its durability and resistance to temperature changes. Penetration grade bitumen, produced through refining crude oil and classified based on softening point and penetration value, is a popular choice for roads. Engineers and contractors select the appropriate type for optimal performance and longevity, as different types are suitable for various climate conditions and road surfaces.
A paved highway symbolizing bitumen is used in road construction

Discover the Durability of Bitumen is Used in Road Construction


Penetration grade Bitumen is a large category of Bitumen that contains over 16 subgrades:

Bitumen 60/70 for road construction, 10/20, 20/30, 30/40, 30/45, 35/50, 40/50, 40/60, 50/70, 70/100, 80/100, 85/100, 100/150, 120/150, 160/220, and 200/300.Each subgrade of penetration Bitumen is designated by a number that indicates its stiffness. In refineries, Bitumen is examined using the penetration technique, in which an expert perforates a standard needle into the Bitumen and measures the rate of needle penetration to determine its rigidity. The penetration of a sample of Bitumen 60/70 ranges between 60 and 70 mm.

The most common kind of penetration Bitumen:

Penetration Bitumen grade 60/70, which is a moderately hard Bitumen, meaning it is neither excessively hard nor excessively soft. Therefore, this grade of penetration Bitumen is resistant to temperature variations between -22 °C and +76 °C. As a result, it is an ideal option for road engineers in a variety of areas, notably Asia and South-east Africa, and is widely used in road construction. Bitumen 60/70 is the grade of penetration Bitumen most often used in road construction. This substance, often known as paving grade Bitumen, is effective in a broad range of temperatures. But this is not the only reason behind Bitumen 60/70’s worldwide popularity. Hot mix asphalt is created by combining Bitumen 60/70 and aggregates to pave roads in diverse places. This grade of Bitumen is appropriate for heavily used roads. Bitumen 60/70 is popular in Asian and African nations because it is a cost-effective alternative that decreases expenditures without compromising quality. Additionally, Bitumen 60/70 is used in the manufacturing of polymer modified Bitumen. Engineers boost the elasticity, ductility, and softening point of Bitumen by combining it with certain polymers and Gilsonite.

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The following are the characteristics of penetration grade Bitumen 60/70:

Depending on the source (crude oil) and manner of processing, each grade of Bitumen has unique qualities. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all Bitumen manufacturers and suppliers to test Bitumen after production and provide purchasers with a specs table. Refiners submit a sample of this grade of Bitumen to a laboratory for several tests, including penetration, viscosity, flash point, softening point, ductility, and specific gravity, when it is generated. All of these test results are necessary for determining the quality of Bitumen 60/70, but the penetration level and softening point are more crucial. Bitumen 60/70 has a penetration range of 60 to 70 mm and a melting point of 46 °C. In addition to its quality, Bitumen penetration grade 60/70 is the most basic type of Bitumen, originating from a vacuum distillation column; consequently, no further processing is required. This is why Bitumen 60/70 serves as the price benchmark for other forms of Bitumen.

Prepared by the PetroNaft Co. research team.

 

2 Responses

  1. Dear Sir
    One of our Pokhara-Mugling road contractor Chinese Construction company required the following grade and quantity bitumen for Nepal. If you can supply then kindly quote your best price along with payment terms.
    Bitumen : Quantity
    VG30 10041MT
    VG 10 1730MT

    Port Name: Sirsiya Dry Port Birgunj Nepal Via Visakhapatnam Port India

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