Bitumen Specifications

Bitumen specification

Bitumen specification defines the bitumen characteristics and determines where and how it should be applied. According to the information that bitumen specification gives us, we can perform the contracts. Moreover, bitumen has many types, such as penetration grades, performance grades, cutbacks, emulsions, oxidized, and AC grades, due to the specifications. In the following, we will review some of the bitumen types and their specifications by which they are categorized.

Penetration grades

The first type we tend to discuss is penetration grades. Penetration grades are 40/50, 60/70, 80/100, and 85/100, all range from the hard to soft penetrating rate. The bitumen specification is highly important while it determines which type is suitable for which country and climate.

For instance, the harder types of penetration bitumen are appropriate for hot climates and countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, the Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, etc. As the grades become softer, their penetration rate increases, and they become appropriate for mild climates to cold ones. Countries such as Costa Rica, Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Ecuador, Mexico, Italy, etc.

Cutback Bitumen

Now let’s move on to another bitumen category which is the cutbacks. Cutbacks have a low rate of viscosity and are appropriate for pavings and coatings. However, they are not environmentally friendly, they have a high demand in many countries. Cutback Bitumen types are as below.

SC, Slow Curing, which has another name “Road oil”.

MC, Medium Curing which is a chemical combination of asphalt cement and petroleum solvent.

RC, Rapid Curing, is a petrochemical mixture of solvent as naphtha or gasoline and bitumen.

Generally speaking, cutbacks are more appropriate for cold regions due to the bitumen specification.

Emulsions

Another group to be discussed is the emulsions.

These types of bitumen are similar to the cutbacks; however, they are environmentally friendly and safe for nature and human beings.

Emulsions are simply a combination of bitumen and water. These types have main two groups which are Cationic and Anionic, both have many subcategories.

As you have realized, bitumen specification determines the bitumen types, grades, applications, and demands. Equally important, the tests of bitumen are the main factors that determine the specifications of each type. Bitumen tests examine the material’s ductility, viscosity, penetration, performance, solubility, and some other qualities. As you know, all these tests’ results are highly important. Some companies avoid performing all the above-mentioned tests and they only conduct three or four of them. This ignorance may have some consequences.

Here, in these tabs below we have brought the bitumen specifications for bitumen 60/70, 80/100, 85/100, and all mc grades. Infinity Galaxy, have all bitumen types specifications completely. Here is the link for all petrochemical product specifications.