Oxidized Bitumen 90/40, also called blown asphalt 90/40, combines a high softening point of 85 to 95 °C with a relatively soft body of 35 to 45 dmm penetration. That pairing is unusual and it is the reason the grade exists: it holds its shape in heat like a hard grade, but still tolerates the movement that roofing membranes, pipe coatings and sealants are subjected to. ZUMRUT INT Co. supplies it in 25 kg bags and cartons, palletised and shrink-wrapped, with a batch certificate of analysis issued before every shipment.
Oxidized Bitumen 90/40 specification
These are the specification limits we supply against. The sheet is available as a downloadable PDF, and a batch certificate of analysis with the actual test results is issued before every shipment.
| Property | Method | Unit | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softening point (ring and ball) | ASTM D36 | °C | 85–95 |
| Penetration @25 °C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 | dmm | 35–45 |
| Specific gravity @25 °C | ASTM D70 | — | 1.05 approx. |
| Ductility @25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | 5.5 min |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | °C | 250 min |
| Loss on heating | ASTM D6 | wt % | 0.2 max |
| Solubility in CS₂ | ASTM D4 | wt % | 99.5 min |
| Spot test | AASHTO T102 | — | Negative |
Note the ductility figure. At 5.5 cm minimum, 90/40 is roughly twice as extensible as the harder oxidized grades, and that single number is what makes it the membrane grade rather than the coating grade.
What the numbers mean
In oxidized grades the first number is the softening point in °C and the second is the penetration in dmm. So 90/40 softens at about 90 °C and has a penetration of about 40. Penetration grades such as 60/70 use the opposite convention, where both numbers describe penetration — which is why a buyer moving between the two systems can order something twice as hard as intended.
Oxidized bitumen is made by blowing air through penetration grade bitumen at roughly 250–300 °C. Oxygen reacts with the lighter fractions, molecular weight rises, and the softening point climbs well above the feedstock while the material becomes more rubbery than brittle. Blowing time and air rate decide where the finished grade lands.
Why 90/40 rather than a harder grade
Most oxidized grades trade flexibility away for heat resistance: push the softening point up and the penetration falls, so the material gets harder and more brittle. 90/40 sits off that line. It has one of the higher softening points in the range at 85–95 °C, yet keeps a penetration of 35–45 dmm and a ductility of 5.5 cm minimum.
That matters wherever the substrate moves. A roof deck expands and contracts daily. A buried pipeline shifts as the ground settles. A sealant joint opens in winter. A hard grade such as 90/10 will hold up to heat perfectly well and then crack the first time the structure moves under it. 90/40 follows the movement.
Roofing membranes
The base bitumen in torch-on felts and modified roll sheets, where the membrane has to stay put at 70 °C and still follow deck movement.
Pipe and tank coating
Hot-applied corrosion protection for steel pipes, tanks and plant, in oil and gas, utilities and marine environments.
Foundation waterproofing
Damp-proofing and tanking of below-grade concrete, where thermal and structural movement is constant and slow.
Sealants and adhesives
A principal component in high-strength bituminous sealants and adhesives for construction and automotive use.
Crack and joint sealing
Hot-poured sealing of pavement cracks and expansion joints, where the joint has to open and close through the year.
Board and panel manufacture
Impregnation and bonding in bituminous boards, insulation panels and composite sheet products.
Working temperature is roughly 200 to 230 °C — well above the softening point. That gap is deliberate: it is what keeps the finished product dimensionally stable in service while still allowing it to be poured, sprayed or rolled at the plant.
Oxidized Bitumen 90/40 compared with neighbouring grades
| Grade | Softening point | Penetration | Character | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85/25 | 80–90 °C | 20–30 dmm | Hard, heat resistant | Roofing felt, pipe coating, hot climates |
| 85/35 | 80–90 °C | 30–40 dmm | Moderate on both counts | General waterproofing and membranes |
| 90/40 | 85–95 °C | 35–45 dmm | High softening, soft body | Membranes, coatings, sealants with movement |
| 90/10 | 85–95 °C | 10–20 dmm | Same heat, much harder | Rigid industrial coatings, heavy-duty |
| 115/15 | 110–120 °C | 10–20 dmm | Hardest, most brittle | Electrical insulation, extreme heat |
90/40 or 90/10?
This is the comparison that comes up most often, because the two share a softening point and look interchangeable on paper. They are not.
90/10 has a penetration of about 10 dmm — roughly a quarter of 90/40. It is rigid and brittle, which is exactly right for a static industrial coating on a surface that does not move, and exactly wrong on anything that flexes. 90/40 gives up some hardness for extensibility.
The deciding question is not temperature, it is movement. If the substrate is fixed and the requirement is a hard, heat-stable shell, specify 90/10. If anything in the assembly expands, contracts or settles, specify 90/40. Send us the application and we will say which one the job actually needs.
Packing and container loading
Oxidized bitumen is solid at ambient temperature, so it ships as cast blocks in bags or cartons rather than in bulk.
| Packing | Unit | 20′ container | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PP bag, palletised and shrink-wrapped | 25 kg | 22–23 MT | Most common export format; stacks and handles well |
| Kraft paper bag, palletised and shrink-wrapped | 25 kg | 22–23 MT | Recyclable, with an inner coating so the block releases cleanly |
| Carton box, palletised and shrink-wrapped | 25 kg | 22–23 MT | Removable mould, easiest to strip at destination |
All three formats are palletised and shrink-wrapped as standard, which is what stops blocks fusing in transit through a hot climate. Other packing formats can be quoted on request; tell us at enquiry stage, because it changes the loading plan and the per-tonne figure.
Our minimum order is two 20′ containers, roughly 45 MT at 22 to 23 MT per container. Mixed oxidized grades within one shipment are accepted provided each grade reaches a full container.
Storage, handling and safety
Stored under shelter, out of direct sun and rain, in a dry ventilated space, in its original packing and not over-stacked, Oxidized Bitumen 90/40 holds its properties for years. The datasheet figure is a minimum of 12 months, and in practice the limiting factor is packaging damage rather than the material ageing.
Heating. Use indirect heat — an oil-jacketed kettle or a thermostatically controlled melter. Direct flame on the vessel wall overheats the material at the contact point, drives off fume and degrades the binder before the bulk has melted. Bring a cold charge up steadily rather than quickly. The grade tolerates reheating better than a paving binder does, but every heating cycle ages it a little, so plan batch sizes to what you will actually use.
Safety. Hot bitumen causes severe burns and adheres to skin. Heat-resistant gloves, face protection, long sleeves and closed footwear are required wherever the material is handled hot, and heating areas need ventilation to stop vapour accumulating. Workers should be trained on safe handling and emergency procedure before first use, and the safety data sheet kept accessible in the work area. Do not use water on a bitumen fire — it flashes to steam and ejects burning material; dry powder and foam are the correct media. Full guidance is in the material safety data sheet, which we also issue with every shipment.
Payment, inspection and documentation
Our standard terms are 50% by TT in advance, balance against a copy of the Bill of Lading. The advance secures production and loading; the balance falls due once the cargo is demonstrably on the water and documented. We do not work on letters of credit — bank charges and discrepancy risk end up in the per-tonne figure, and saying so plainly saves a week of negotiation.
Every shipment travels with a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, safety data sheet and the batch certificate of analysis. SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or the surveyor named in your contract can attend loading for quality and quantity. Shipping documents are issued within three days of vessel departure. The export documentation guide sets out what each document does and where presentations usually fail.
We load from Jebel Ali, Mersin and Iskenderun, and the port we quote from depends on the destination and the packing you choose. The exact port and sailing are confirmed with the quotation.
Frequently asked questions about Oxidized Bitumen 90/40
What are the specifications of Oxidized Bitumen 90/40?
Softening point 85–95 °C (ASTM D36), penetration 35–45 dmm at 25 °C (ASTM D5), specific gravity about 1.05 (ASTM D70), ductility 5.5 cm minimum (ASTM D113), flash point 250 °C minimum (ASTM D92), loss on heating 0.2% maximum (ASTM D6), solubility in CS₂ 99.5% minimum (ASTM D4), spot test negative. The full sheet is a downloadable PDF.
What do the numbers 90 and 40 mean?
In oxidized grades the first number is the softening point in °C and the second is the penetration in dmm. So 90/40 softens at about 90 °C and has a penetration of about 40. This is the opposite convention to penetration grades such as 60/70, where both numbers describe penetration.
What is the difference between 90/40 and 90/10?
They share a softening point, so both resist the same heat. 90/10 has a penetration of about 10 dmm and is rigid and brittle; 90/40 has 35–45 dmm and follows movement. Specify 90/10 for a static hard coating, 90/40 wherever the substrate expands, contracts or settles.
Is Oxidized Bitumen 90/40 the same as blown asphalt?
Yes. Blown asphalt, blown bitumen and oxidized bitumen are the same product under different names, from the air-blowing process used to make it. Suppliers and specifications use the terms interchangeably.
At what temperature is it applied?
Roughly 200 to 230 °C, well above its 85–95 °C softening point. Heat indirectly in an oil-jacketed kettle or thermostatically controlled melter, and bring a cold charge up steadily rather than quickly.
Can it be used in cold climates?
Better than the harder oxidized grades, because its higher penetration and ductility give it more tolerance for movement. In severe cold any oxidized grade becomes brittle, so for a genuinely cold climate tell us the service temperature range and we will advise on the grade and on whether a modified product suits better.
Can it be reheated more than once?
It tolerates reheating better than a paving binder, but each cycle ages the material slightly — penetration drops and softening point creeps up. Melt what you will use rather than repeatedly reheating a large charge, and keep below the recommended working temperature.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Two 20′ containers, roughly 45 MT in total at 22 to 23 MT per container. Mixed oxidized grades in one shipment are accepted provided each grade reaches a full container.
What are your payment terms?
50% by TT in advance with the balance settled against a copy of the Bill of Lading. We do not work on letters of credit. The balance falls due only once the cargo is on the water and documented.
Is a certificate of analysis provided?
Yes, with every shipment. It carries the lot number and production date and reports the actual test results for softening point, penetration, specific gravity, ductility, flash point, loss on heating and solubility — not generic typical values.
How long does it keep in storage?
A minimum of 12 months under correct storage, and considerably longer in practice. Keep it sheltered, dry, out of direct sunlight, in its original packing and not over-stacked. The usual cause of loss is damaged packaging or blocks fusing in heat, not the material ageing.
What is the price of Oxidized Bitumen 90/40?
It moves with feedstock cost, ocean freight, packing choice and destination, so a flat published number would not hold. Indicative levels are on our bitumen price page. Send quantity, packing, destination port and Incoterm and we issue a firm FOB, CFR or CIF quotation within one business day.
Related grades and products
Oxidized Bitumen 90/10
Same softening point, a quarter of the penetration. 90/10 is the rigid coating grade for surfaces that do not move.
Oxidized Bitumen 85/25
85/25 is the standard roofing felt and pipe coating grade, harder and more heat-stable than 90/40.
Oxidized Bitumen 115/15
115/15 is the hardest common grade, for electrical insulation and the hottest climates.
All oxidized grades
The full range and how to choose between them is on the oxidized bitumen overview page.
Bitumen roll sheet
Finished SBS and APP membranes, if you are buying the product rather than the raw material.
Penetration grades
60/70 is the feedstock oxidized grades are blown from, and the standard paving binder in warm climates.
Request a quotation for Oxidized Bitumen 90/40
Send us the quantity in MT, the packing format, the destination port and the Incoterm. We come back with a firm price, a production schedule and the documentation list for clearance within one business day. If you have a softening point and penetration requirement but no grade name, send the specification instead and we will match it.
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