Penetration Grade Bitumen: What is Penetration Bitumen + usage!

Penetration grade bituminous products are made for road construction for various environments and have different grades. The manufacturers grade these products based on their hardness and resistance. Therefore, penetration bitumen products are categorized into 30 to 120 grades. The principal purpose of this grading is to create bitumen products suitable for use in various environments and Industries. Experts determine these grades based on the penetration depth of the needle in the bitumen, which we will explain more about penetration grade bitumen definition and more in this article.

What is penetration bitumen?

Also known as pavement bitumen, penetration bitumen is a standard bitumen usually used in road construction and paving. The manufacturers produce penetration bitumen by distilling petroleum. Then, they categorize the bituman according to its durability, resistance, and weather conditions. They also specify their features based on their penetration degree, which they calculate by the depth of the standard needle in millimetres that penetrates bitumen at a specific time, temperature and weight.

Experts grade bitumen products based on their penetration degree at 25 centigrades. Usually, the penetration degree for bitumen is between 10 to 300. Therefore, the higher the penetration degree for bitumen, the softer that bitumen is and vice versa. The most common bitumen products used in road construction and paving are 40/50, 60/70 and 80/100-grade bitumen.

Aside from paving and road construction, penetration bitumen products have other uses, such as damp proofing, roof covering and sealing. Furthermore, engineers use penetration grade bitumen in building infrastructures.

Performing penetration bitumen test

Using different types of bitumen depends on the weather and their penetration grade. The common types of penetration bitumen products include 30/40, 60/70 and 80/100-degree bitumen.

Overall, using bitumen products with lesser penetration grades is preferable in warm weather since they do not soften. However, bitumen with a higher penetration grade is better (such as 80/100 products) in cold environments because they do not break easily in cold weather.

In a bitumen penetration test, experts calculate the penetration grade based on the 0.1 millimeter distance of a standard needle when it penetrates the bitumen vertically. This test determines if the bitumen is soft or hard.

Preparing the bitumen to produce penetration bitumen

At first, experts heat the bitumen to a degree higher than its softening point. Then, they pour the molten bitumen into a container 15 mm in height. Next, they stir the bitumen to emit its bubbles. After that, they place the container for 90 minutes at room temperature. Finally, they put it for 90 minutes in water to cool it.

Calculating the penetration degree

In the next stage of penetration bitumen test, the experts place the container on a bitumen penetrometer (the bitumen penetration test apparatus) and adjust its needle contact with the sample surface.

Then, the needle will penetrate the bitumen for five seconds, and the penetration degree is recorded. The experts repeat this process three times; and they calculate the average number for these three recordings. In the end, the average number will be the final penetration grade for bitumen.

The importance of using penetration bitumen

Knowing about the penetration grades of bitumen allows you to predict its behavior in different conditions. For instance, if you are a road engineer and you want to build roads in regions with warm weather, then you will need a bitumen with a lesser penetration grade. This is because using this type of bitumen will prevent asphalt from getting too soft in higher temperatures.

Moreover, using penetration bitumen is beneficial because it saves energy in road construction since using it is more efficient and is compatible with aggregates. Applying penetration grade bitumen is also more effective for pavements and will increase the longevity of roads.

The quality of penetration bitumen

The quality of penetration bitumen products is important for their use in road construction, paving, damp proofing, roofs, etc. There are various physical and chemical indicators based on which experts assess the quality of penetration grade asphalt products. Some of these indicators are:

Degree of penetration asphalt

The penetration bitumen grade indicates bitumen’s resistance to changing its form. As mentioned before, experts calculated the degree of bitumen penetration based on 0.1 Millimeters the distance of a standard needle when it penetrates bitumen at a specific time, temperature and weight. The penetration degree has to be within a specific range for its intended use.

The softening point of penetration bitumen

The softening point of bitumen is the temperature at which a bitumen product is soft and flexible. Experts also determine the softening point of penetration bitumen by penetrating the standard needle at special conditions into the bitumen.

Therefore, the softening point is another indicator that specifies penetration grade asphalt usage for various conditions and for each use, this indicator is different.

Ductility of penetration asphalt

A bitumen’ ductility indicates its flexibility and tensibility. Bitumen product ductility determines how long it will elongate without breaking in centimetres. Therefore, bitumen’s ductility determines its special use.

Solubility of penetration bitumen

The solubility of penetration bitumen products shows their purity and degree of homogeneity. Experts calculate a bitumen’s solubility by mixing it with a special type of solvent (usually Trichloroethylene). Therefore, solubility is another indicator that is important in determining the use of PG bitumen products.

Fire point of of penetration bitumen

A bitumen’s fire point indicates how safe it is to transfer and store bitumen products in different circumstances. Experts determine a bitumen’s fire point based on the minimum temperature at which it produces enough steam to ignite. Each penetration bitumen product has its fire point that is suitable for different uses.

Specific gravity of penetration bitumen

Every penetration bitumen’s specific gravity shows its density. Experts calculate specific gravity by determining the ratio of the weight of a sample of bitumen to the equal weight of water. Specific gravity will also specify bitumen products’ unique use in different circumstances.

History of penetration bitumen use

The use of bitumen dates back to ancient civilizations. In those times, people used bitumen as an insulator for their homes and boats. For example, the ancient Babylonians and Egyptians used bitumen as adhesive and damp-proof substances in their buildings. However, the modern use of bitumen in road construction and paving was in the 19th century.

Furthermore, in the 20th century and the 1920s and 1930s, there were significant advances in the grading of PG bitumen products. This system of grading offered a standard method to determine the hardness of bitumen and made its use for road construction and paving easier.

In the mid-20th century, the demand for supplying bitumen products for buildings, damp proofing and other usages increased. Consequently, in the 1960s and 1970s, the introduction of polymer-modified bitumen extended its uses.

Today, different types of bitumen products, including penetration bitumen, are important primary substances in different Industries such as road construction.

Where is penetration grade asphalt used?

The most common uses of PG bitumen products are in paving and industrial projects. Using PG bitumen is necessary to build high-quality asphalt pavement.

Also, penetration bitumen products seal aggregates and increase the mixture’s stability and cohesion among all different grades of penetrating bitumen products. The penetration grade bitumen 60/70 products are the more popular choices in road construction for building roadbeds.

Where are 60/70 and 80/100 penetration grade bitumen used?

Since 60/70 penetration grade bitumen have more durability, they are ideal to use for building high-traffic roads. They are also highly efficient, which means that road workers can apply them quickly on the surface of roads. 85/100 PG bitumen products are popular as well and they are unique because they can keep the heat within longer.

Therefore, applying them on asphalt allows it to mould more easily to the road. Also, this trait in 85/100 PG bitumen prevents asphalt from cracking at lower temperatures which makes it a perfect choice for building durable roads in high and cold regions.

Uses of penetration grade bitumen

Because of its waterproof, adhesive and binding properties, penetration bitumen is a useful product in the building industry and has many uses which we will expand more on below.

Penetration grade asphalt products have different gradings and various functions based on their projects and environments.

Road construction and paving

Road workers use PG bitumen as an adhesive in asphalt concrete to create durable surfaces for roads, highways and airports.

Damp-proof insulation for roofs

Penetration bitumen products are also useful for covering roofs, foundations and cellars. Moreover, they are useful to cover roofs to protect them against different weather conditions.

Adhesives and sealants

Construction workers use PG bitumen products as adhesives to bind insulators in roofing and building materials. They also use penetration bitumen as a sealant to fill concrete cracks in the buildings.

Pipe coverings

Penetration bitumen products are an effective choice when it comes to covering pipelines to protect them against corrosion. They also help to improve the flow of liquid and gas in the pipes.

Colors and roofing

Construction workers use penetration bitumen as a component to make colours and roofing and to build damp-proof insulators. These insulators are used in buildings to protect them against different weather conditions.

Acoustic insulation

Penetration bitumen is also a good choice to use as a soundproof substance in building walls and floors because it reduces the sound of sound and tremors.

Industrial applications

There are various industrial uses for penetration bitumen such as building roofing materials, asphalt emulsions and adhesives.

What are the penetration grade bitumen properties?

Penetration bitumen is thermoplastic, which depending on the temperature, will soften or harden. This means that PG bitumen will soften at higher and harden at lower temperatures.

Furthermore, the distinct relation between the temperature and viscosity of bitumen is necessary to determine its performance parameters such as rheology, adhesion, durability and temperature of use.

Types of penetration bitumen: Various grades of penetration

Types of penetration grade asphalt: 10/20 bitumen

10/20 grade bitumen is a heavy bitumen product that you can use to build thinner paving that will reduce using asphalt to 30% compared to using traditional methods. This makes using 10/20 penetration bitumen a cost-effective choice in the long term.

The penetration grade for this bitumen product is 10 to 20 and its softening point is 58 to 66 Celsius. 10/20 bitumen is a standard product that is suitable for road construction, maintenance and paving. It is also useful in making hot mix asphalt.

10/20 bitumen is a popular choice for producing hot mix asphalt than other types of bitumen grades for its high viscosity.

Types of PG bitumen: 20/30 bitumen

20/30 bitumen has a hard penetration grade and is suitable for paving and road construction or maintenance. Also, using 20/30 penetration bitumen for asphalt pavings with technical specifications is also suitable.

Types of PG asphalt: 30/40 bitumen

30/40 bitumen is a semi-hard bitumen that is good for paving, road construction and maintenance. This kind of bitumen is also suited to making asphalt pavings. Moreover, penetrating bitumen products are thermoplastic. Therefore, they soften at high and harden at lower temperatures.

Road constructors use 30/40 PG bitumen to build hot mix asphalt for building road infrastructures. 30/40 penetration bitumen products are one of the most useful grades of bitumen products and are an essential substance in making other bitumen products.

Types of penetration grade asphalt: 40/50 bitumen

Because the manufacturers use the air-blowing process in producing 40/50 bitumen, this product is a good choice to use in warm and dry regions. Road constructors mainly use 40/50 penetration bitumen to build hot mix asphalt in road infrastructures.

Additionally, it can be used in producing a primer for asphalt. Furthermore, this type of bitumen has uses in paving, some industrial applications, making asphalt mixtures, bitumen emulsion, cutback and modified bitumen products.

40/50 PG bitumen grading implies the amount of penetration in standard conditions in which the bitumen is used for paving is between 40 to 50.

Types of penetration bitumen: 60/70 bitumen

Bitumen penetration grade 60/70 means that the penetration degree for this bitumen at standard conditions is between 60 to 70 and is categorized as semi-hard bitumen.

Therefore, 60/70 penetration bitumen is suitable for use in warm mixtures and temperate climates. Also, bitumen manufacturers use 60/70 pg bitumen to produce bitumen emulsion, cut back and modified bitumen products.

Types of penetration grade asphalt: 60/90 bitumen

60/90 penetration bitumen has two categories: BND (road bitumen) and BN (petroleum bitumen). BND bitumen has a strong adhesion to various stone mixtures and is highly flexible at low temperatures.

It is also durable against different weather conditions. Therefore, BND 60/90 is good for building road infrastructure in warm regions and producing hot mix asphalt bitumen mixtures in warm climates.

60/90 bitumen is usable in producing asphalt binder courses and damp insulators.

What does penetration grade of bitumen 80/100 indicate?

80/100 bitumen has a standard penetration grading and is suitable for use in paving, road construction and other industrial projects. Road constructors also use 80/100 bitumen to make hot mix asphalt, especially in cold environments for road bases.

80/100 penetration bitumen means that it is a good choice for use in road construction in cold regions, making asphalt mixtures, cutback and modified bitumen products.

Penetration grade bitumen price

Different factors such as bitumen carat, purchase amount, transfer costs, etc affect its pricing. Moreover, the currency rate in each country influences the price of PG bitumen. Aside from that, bitumen prices are different based on region and country.

Therefore, it is impossible to determine the fixed price for penetration bitumen. However, before you purchase any penetration bitumen product, you should make sure that it is of the highest quality.

Where to buy penetration grade bitumen

PG bitumen is one of the most common bitumen products for road construction. This type of bitumen is petroleum based which manufacturers produce by partial distillation or vacuum of petroleum.

Overall, penetration bitumen has a wide range of products that are different based on their hardness and the lesser their grades, the harder they are. For more information on penetration asphalt pricing and purchase, you can contact us at IranETrade Inc.

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