Viscosity bitumen
In this article, we will explain viscosity bitumen grades such as
VG 10, VG 30 and VG 40, viscosity test, the specifications and global demand of them.
Viscosity bitumen in the world
Oil-exporting countries and their derivatives have long competed with each other, and oil reserves have
played an important role in determining world order. Iran has also played a special role in determining regional order due to its wide range of
oil-based products. Bitumen is one of the main derivatives of oil, which in recent years has formed a major part of Iran’s oil exports.
On the first 15 days of February 1998, 25,910 tons of bitumen
and 100 tons of waterproofing were offered and purchased during the trading process of the Export Hall of the Iran Commodity Exchange. This is only part of the current black matter trade;
During the same period, 465 tons of bitumen were in the Petroleum and Petrochemical Products Hall. It should be noted that this amount of exports is only for 21 countries, including Sudan,
India, Myanmar, Djibouti, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Tanzania, etc.
But why is bitumen one of the most popular oil derivatives in the region and the world?
Viscosity bitumen is a hydrocarbon that dissolves in carbon sulfide and carbon tetrachloride. This black substance solidifies at ambient temperature and becomes a paste with increasing temperature,
and eventually liquefies. On the other hand, bitumen has adhesive properties
that make it material in insulation, protective coatings and road construction.
Bitumen has different types and grades depending on the composition, production method and different characteristics. Some of these classifications include Penetration bitumen
, Oxidation bitumen, Bitumen emulsions and Viscosity bitumen. In the following, with the most important properties of
viscosity bitumen, which is one of the most widely applicable petroleum derivatives in the world, especially in India; we will become familiar.
Viscosity Bitumen Grade
This type of bitumen with a suitable grade is for road construction, asphalt, street paving and sidewalks. Viscosity bitumen, which is mostly in making hot asphalt,
is a refinery bitumen that is by supporting a vacuum bottom in the distillation tower. This type of bitumen has a thermoplastic property,
a property that keeps this material in cold, hard and hard weather and softens in hot air.
This feature makes the combination of viscosity bitumen with other materials to make the road more durable. This type of bitumen is now very popular in India and due to
the accuracy in its grading, it is better than penetrating bitumen (Penetration). Bitumen has different viscosities;
these categories are according to the standard ASTM system. The ASTM standard defines and introduces these categories using methods such as D3381-09 and AASHTO M226-8.
According to the latest ASTM standard declaration, the viscosity grade of bitumen has three categories.
-
Viscosity Bitumen VG-10; with grade 10
VG10 bitumen with 100/80 permeability is applicable by spraying method to cover surfaces and roads. Besides, this type of bitumen is in the production of emulsions and modified bitumen products. To be more specific, this type of bitumen is from the most prestigious and largest refineries in Iran
with different packages and standard export barrels in the global trading market, especially in India.
-
Viscosity Bitumen VG-30; with grade 30
VG30 grade is good for making super heavy bitumen sidewalks. This type of sidewalk has to withstand considerable and heavy traffic loads,
which is why this type of grid is suitable more. Road construction, construction, insulation and
liquid bitumen are the most common industries that use this type of bitumen. VG30 bitumen is very suitable for temperate climates and
can be instead of bitumen with a permeability of 60/70.
-
Viscosity Bitumen VG-40; with grade 40
In areas of high pressure, such as intersections, highways near tolls, and truck parking lots, VG 40 bitumen with
a permeability of 40/50 is instead of old bitumen. Due to its high viscosity, this type of bitumen is a hard mixture and is therefore suitable for
surfaces that are supposed to withstand high tensile strength loads and heavy traffic loads. This type of bitumen is resistant at higher temperatures and on surfaces that require more resistance.
According to current Indian law, which the NATIONAL HIGHWAYS AUTHORITY OF INDIA is managing,
road contractors must use viscosity grades of bitumen for road construction on all highways, main roads and highways in India, so most or in order.
Currently, more than 200 refineries and commercial complexes are active in the field of bitumen exports, including Jey Oil Complex,
Pasargad Oil Complex (POC); Hormoz Pars Bitumen (BHP), Atra Cran Energy (ACE Oil), Kasra Refinery (Kasra Refinery),
Petro Galaxy of Asia (Infinity Galaxy) are among the top exporters of viscose bitumen,
which have the largest share of exports of this product.
How to perform the viscosity test of bitumen?
C-Bolt-Forl method:
The C-Bolt-Forl viscometer is to determine the chords of mixed bitumens and is generally similar to the S.T.V viscometer. It is also a modified version of the Redwood viscometer. Since the diameter of the C. Bolt-Forl viscometer hole is smaller than the diameter of the S.T.V viscometer hole,
the test temperature in this viscometer will be higher. In the C-Bolt-Forl Kondarvani device, the time required in seconds for the amount of 60 cubic centimeters of liquid bitumen to
fall at the temperature of 135 ° C from the duct of the C-Bolt-Forl device is determined in terms of seconds. A description of this method is in below in detail in the following standard:
ASTM Methods, D: 88-53
Kinematic method:
In the kinematic measurement method by kinematic method,
by passing 50 ml of the tested bitumen at a temperature of 40 ° C through the standard pipe duct of the device,
we record the time when bitumen passes and this time as bitumen condensation.