Bitumen Standards and Grades
Standardizing Bodies
In different regions and countries, different Standards and Grading systems are used for determining the quality of petroleum bituminous Binders. The most recognized for petroleum bitumen standards are published by
- European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
- Deutsche Industrie Norm (DIN EN)
- Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR – NF EN)
- BSI Standards – the UK’s National Standards Body (NSB – BS EN)
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)
- South African Standard Organization (SABS)
- Standards Australia (AS)
Bitumen Grades and Specifications
Penetration Bitumen Grades
Penetration Bitumen is semi hard black material known as Petroleum Grade Bitumen which is produced by blowing hot air into the vacuum bottom.
Performance Bitumen Grades
Performance Grade Bitumen is the Latest Standard of bitumen. It is new method bitumen standard which based on varying temperatures.
Viscosity Grades Bitumen
Viscosity Grade Bitumen is mostly used as a Paving Grade and it’s suitable for Road Construction and for the Asphalt pavements producing with premier attributes. Viscosity Grade Bitumen is usually used in the production of Hot Mix Asphalt.
Australian Standard Bitumen
Classes of Bitumen under the Australian Standard are determined by Viscosity measured at 60°C Pa.s. Other blends using a combination of standard grade bitumen are also available on request.
Oxidized Bitumen
Oxidized Bitumen is produced by blowing hot air into the Penetration Bitumen. This action makes the Bitumen more rubbery than its original formula and it becomes harder.
Cutback Bitumen
Cutback Bitumen is dissolved in a solvent. Typical solvents include Naptha, Gasoline and Kerosene, White Spirit etc. The type of solvent controls the Curing time while the amount determines the Viscosity of the Cutback Bitumen.
Coat Bitumen
The Bitumen Coatings are also characteristically non-viscous materials which are not thixotropic and are therefore ordinarily applied as thin films.
Emulsion Bitumen
Emulsion Bitumen is a Binding material, consisting of Water and Bitumen. Emulsion is a disperse system, with particles of bitumen dispersed in water.
