Highlights & Key Sections
Specifications of Iraqi Bitumen: Grades, Tests, and a Buyer’s Guide (2025)
Iraqi bitumen is typically produced from Basrah and Kirkuk crude residues and supplied in penetration (40/50, 60/70, 80/100), viscosity (VG), and performance-graded (PG) forms. Buyers should verify softening point, penetration, ductility, flash point, and aging tests against ASTM/AASHTO methods and local SCRB requirements before shipment. (Details below.)
What makes Iraqi bitumen distinct in 2025?
Iraq refines medium-to-heavy, sour crudes (Basrah grades) and lighter Kirkuk streams. This feedstock mix yields vacuum residues with robust asphaltene content—useful for hot-climate pavements after controlled air-blowing. Oversight involves the national standards body COSQC and the Roads & Bridges specifications used by public projects.
Quick facts
Exported crude slates today: Basrah Heavy/Medium/Light and Kirkuk; Basrah Medium was introduced in 2021 to stabilize quality ranges.
Public works typically reference the “R9” Standard Specifications for Roads & Bridges (SCRB), which in turn point to ASTM test methods for binder acceptance. SCRB R9
FAQ—Is Iraqi bitumen “harder” than average?
Often, yes: southern feedstocks are asphaltene-rich; after oxidation they show higher softening points suited to very hot summers—useful for rutting resistance when properly graded. (Inference based on the EIA/OIES crude quality notes above.)
Which grades are produced—and when should each be used?
Most producers in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region supply:
Penetration grades: 40/50, 60/70, 80/100 (per ASTM D946).
Viscosity grades (VG): VG-10/30/40 for legacy specs and certain plants.
Performance-graded binders (PG): e.g., PG 64-16, PG 70-22, PG 76-10/-22 for high-temperature corridors, specified under AASHTO M 320.
When to use what (examples)
Urban arterials (Baghdad, Najaf): Pen 60/70 or PG 64-16 for standard traffic; upgrade to PG 70-22 for heavy buses.
Expressways in Basra/Maysan: Consider PG 70-22 or PG 76-10 to manage >70 °C summer pavement temperatures.
Mountain corridors (Erbil/Sulaymaniyah): Pen 80/100 or PG 64-16 to retain low-temperature flexibility.
FAQ—Is PG always better than penetration grades?
It’s more predictive of in-service performance (climate/traffic) but costs more. For routine works, a well-controlled 60/70 still performs if temperatures and loads are moderate.
How are specifications measured and verified?
Acceptance testing is routine and should be stated on the Certificate of Analysis (CoA). Key methods:
Penetration at 25 °C: ASTM D5 (grade ID for Pen 40/50, 60/70, 80/100).
Softening point (Ring-and-Ball): ASTM D36.
Ductility at 25 °C: ASTM D113.
Flash point (COC): ASTM D92.
Solubility (trichloroethylene): ASTM D2042 (≥99%).
Aging: TFOT/RTFO (ASTM D6/D1754).
PG system: high-temp rutting (DSR), low-temp cracking (BBR/DSR) per AASHTO M 320 and MSCR (MP 19) when polymer-modified.
Public contracts in Iraq commonly reference the Roads & Bridges standard (SCRB R9) and COSQC oversight for conformity.
FAQ—Who should witness testing at loading?
Use an accredited third-party inspector to draw sealed samples, witness drum/bulk temperatures, and stamp the CoA against the RFQ limits.
What are realistic property ranges for common Iraqi grades?
Table 1 — Typical shipped properties (Iraqi producers, ASTM D946):
| Property (Method) | 40/50 | 60/70 | 80/100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @25 °C, 0.1 mm (D5) | 40–50 | 60–70 | 80–100 |
| Softening point, °C (D36) | 48–56 | 46–54 | 42–52 |
| Ductility @25 °C, cm (D113) | ≥100 | ≥100 | ≥100 |
| Flash point, °C (D92) | ≥230 | ≥230 | ≥230 |
| Solubility, % (D2042) | ≥99.0 | ≥99.0 | ≥99.0 |
| Loss on heating, % (D6) | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 |
Ranges reflect common industry limits aligned with ASTM D946 and Iraqi SCRB acceptance tables; projects may tighten limits.
FAQ—Can I request higher softening point for 60/70?
Yes. Producers can adjust blowing to lift softening point within grade. Specify target (e.g., 53 ± 1 °C) in the PO.
How should climate and traffic in Iraq guide selection?
Iraq’s south often sees extreme pavement temperatures; central regions are hot with diurnal swings; north faces colder nights. Use PG designations tied to seven-day max and minimum pavement temperatures (e.g., PG 70-22). AASHTO M 320 explains the temperature logic; pair with MSCR for polymer-modified grades.
Example
Basra ring road with heavy truck flow: specify PG 76-10 (or PG 70-10 with MSCR “Jnr3.2” ≤ 2.0 kPa⁻¹) to manage rutting.
FAQ—Do PG numbers equal mix temperatures?
No. PG values describe pavement temperature windows, not mixing/compaction temperatures.
What packaging, logistics, and documentation should buyers expect?
Forms: bulk (heated tankers/bitutainers), new steel drums (≈180 kg), jumbo bags for oxidized grades.
Load temperatures: typically 150–170 °C for paving grades; record at manifold and last truck.
Documents: CoA with full test list, batch numbers, sampling seals; HS code 2713.20 for most shipments.
FAQ—Is PG binder widely available from Iraqi plants?
Availability is expanding around major hubs; confirm plant line (conventional vs polymer-modified) and which PGs are routinely certified.
Acceptance protocol that works
Match the spec set: SCRB R9 for public jobs; private projects may choose ASTM D946 or AASHTO M 320 up front. State numeric limits: penetration band, softening point target, solubility ≥99%, flash ≥230 °C, RTFO/TFOT caps.
Add climate notes: PG grade tied to site temperatures; require MSCR for PMB.
Witness sampling: independent inspector; keep retains.
On-arrival check: re-test penetration/softening/ductility to confirm no thermal history damage.
FAQ—What if arrival penetration drifts by >5 dmm?
Hold for retest; check drum handling and transit heating logs before approving.
Executive checklist (print and use)
Project spec chosen: SCRB R9 / ASTM D946 / AASHTO M 320
Grade selected: Pen 40/50 | 60/70 | 80/100 or PG…
Numeric limits declared on PO (penetration, softening point, ductility, flash, solubility, aging)
Independent sampling & CoA required (include test list & batch IDs)
Packaging & temperatures confirmed (bulk/drum/bitutainer; load/arrival temps logged)
Retained samples sealed and stored for dispute resolution
Final Q&A
1) What is the most common paving grade supplied inside Iraq?
60/70 penetration grade, because it balances rutting resistance and flexibility for central and southern climates.
2) When should I choose 40/50 over 60/70?
Use 40/50 for very hot pavements and slow/heavy traffic where higher stiffness helps control rutting.
3) Does higher softening point always mean better performance?
Not alone—pair with ductility and aging results; overly stiff binders can crack at night temperatures.
4) Are Iraqi PG binders polymer-modified by default?
No. PG is a performance framework; modification is common for high-end grades (e.g., PG 76-10) but must be specified.
5) What minimum flash point should I accept?
≥230 °C (Cleveland Open Cup) for paving binders; this is a standard safety/quality threshold.
6) How do I translate climate into a PG number?
Use the site’s seven-day max and minimum pavement temperatures; for example, a site with +70 °C max and −10 °C min maps to PG 70-10.
7) Is solubility really important?
Yes—≥99% indicates purity and low inorganic contamination; low values signal extenders or contamination.
8) Can I blend 60/70 and 80/100 to hit 70/90?
Blending is possible but must be re-tested; nonlinear effects (asphaltenes/paraffins) can skew penetration and softening point.
9) Do drums damage binder quality during long transit?
Quality holds if drums are new, tightly sealed, and reheating is controlled; repeated overheating can reduce ductility.
10) Are Iraqi specs aligned with international practice?
Yes—public jobs follow R9, which references international test methods; private and export supply commonly meet ASTM D946 or PG M 320 limits.
Sources
Iraq crude grades — context on Basrah/Kirkuk streams and the 2021 Basrah Medium introduction. EIA country analysis
COSQC — Iraq’s national standards body and mandate. COSQC
SCRB R9 — Iraq’s Standard Specifications for Roads & Bridges (binder tests referenced in roadworks). SCRB R9
ASTM D946 — Penetration-graded asphalt binder specification and property framework. ASTM D946
AASHTO M 320 — Performance-graded asphalt binder framework and temperature logic. AASHTO M 320
Prepared by the PetroNaft Co. research team.