What is Penetration Grad Bitumen?

General Definition of Penetration Grad Bitumen

Penetration Grad Bitumen is unique for road construction in various environmental conditions. These grades of bitumen are named due to their level of hardness and consistency, which leads to the classification of bitumen in a range of grades from 30 to 120.

Pentration Grade Bitumen is Bitumen classified using the penetration property. Penetration grading’s basic assumption is that the less viscous the asphalt, the deeper the needle will penetrate. Bitumen which is produced during the process of oxidation of vacuum bottom (the Bitumen production feedstock that derives from distillation tower residue in vacuum oil refineries) at bitumen production unit in a manner that its penetration point (kind of test to indicate the hardness of bitumen) in specified group is classified in different grade of Bitumen.

Penetration grade basic assumption is that the less viscous asphalt, the needle will penetrate deeper. This penetration depth is empirically (albeit only roughly) correlated with asphalt binder performance. Therefore, asphalt binders with high penetration numbers (called “soft”) are used for cold climates while asphalt binders with low penetration numbers (called “hard”) are used for warm climates. Just as an example to make it more clear, Bitumen 60/70, means penetration is between 60 dm (Decimeter) to 70 dm, that’s mean needle will penetrate to bitumen sample minimum 60 dm and maximum 70 dm.

The penetration grade bitumen is refinery bitumen which is produced by different viscosity. In fact, Penetration bitumen is semi hard black material known as petroleum grade bitumen. The penetration test is carried out to characterize the bitumen, based on the hardness. Therefore, it has the name penetration bitumen. The common bitumen penetration grades are 60/70, 80/100, 85/100, 40/50 and 30/40; which normally Low penetration grade bitumen is used in the warm areas while high penetration grade is used in cold areas. The major Penetration Grade Bitumen is Bitumen 60/70 that is generally used for all the markets.

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Penetration Grade Bitumen is commonly used in road surfacing, and some industrial applications. Additional processing yields other grades of bitumen products and their application.

Penetration grading key advantages and disadvantages are listed as below:

Usage Penetration Grad Bitumen

Penetration grade bitumen is commonly used in road surfacing and industrial projects. It is one of the standard bitumen that is used as a paving grade bitumen and is essential in the production of high-quality asphalt pavements. This type of bitumen is also important because it bounds the aggregates and helps the bituminous mix become more stable and cohesive.

Among all the subgrades of penetration grade bitumen, the 60/70 is one of the most commonly used in road construction projects. It is usually mixed with aggregates to form hot mix asphalt and pave roads.

Another commonly used bitumen subgrade is the 85/100. It is a type of penetration grade bitumen with high heat-retention properties. Because the 85/100 bitumen holds heat longer, it allows the asphalt to be easily molded on the road. Its heat-retention properties also allow the asphalt not to crack even in low temperatures. This makes the 85/100 bitumen the perfect choice for constructing sturdy and long-lasting roads in high-altitude and cold climate areas.

paving Penetration Grad Bitumen Specification AS per BS EN 12591

Penetration Grade Bitumen is a standard bitumen usually used as a Paving Grade Bitumen essential for road construction and for the production of asphalt pavements with superior properties, and it’s very important once it bounds the aggregates and creates a unique cohesion and stability to the bituminous mix. This grade of Bitumen is mainly used in the manufacture of hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses. Penetration Grade Bitumen supplied by RABIT Co is petroleum grade bitumen, manufactured from fractional / vacuum distillation of crude oil. The Bitumen supplied by RABIT is produced from the vacuum residue (short residue) feedstock. Penetration Grade bitumens are specified by the penetration and softening point test. The designation is by penetration range only. The penetration grade bitumens have a thermoplastic property which causes the material to soften at high temperatures and to harden at lower temperatures. This unique temperature/viscosity relationship is important when determining the performance parameters such as the adhesion, rheology, durability and application temperatures of bitumen.

The major Penetration Grade Bitumen is Bitumen 60/70 that is generally used for all the markets. Penetration grading’s basic assumption is that the less viscous the asphalt, the deeper the needle will penetrate. This penetration depth is empirically (albeit only roughly) correlated with asphalt binder performance. Therefore, asphalt binders with high penetration numbers (called “soft”) are used for cold climates while asphalt binders with low penetration numbers (called “hard”) are used for warm climates.
The penetration grading system was developed in the early 1900s to characterize the consistency of semi-solid asphalts. Penetration grading quantifies the following asphalt concrete characteristics:

• Penetration depth of a 100 g needle 25° C (77° F).
• Flashpoint temperature. Ductility at 25°C (77°F).
• Solubility in trichloroethylene.
• Thin film oven test(accounts for the effects of short-term aging that occurs during mixing with hot aggregate).
• Retained penetration.
• Ductility at 25° C (77° F)

Specification Penetration Grade Bitumen ASTM D 946