This bitumen is produced through aeration on vacuum bottom (the raw material used for making bitumen left in vacuum distillation column in oil refineries) in bitumen production units. Its penetration grade ( the measure of bitumen hardness) is between 60 to 70. Bitumen is specified by the penetration and softening point test. Designing is by penetration range only. The penetration grade bitumen has 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 Bitumen mode is dependent on temperature. The temperature-vs-stiffness relationship of bitumen is dependent on the type of crude oil and its refining method. Bitumen penetration grade 60/70 is semi-hard penetration grade bitumen used as a paving grade bitumen which is suitable for road construction and repair. It is also used for the production of asphalt pavements with the below technical specification. This grade of bitumen is mainly used in the manufacturing of hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses. Bitumen 60/70 is one of the most used bitumen grades and it’s a basic material for all other bituminous products.
Penetration determines the hardness of bitumen by measuring the depth to which a standard loaded the needle will vertically penetrate in 5 seconds, in a sample of bitumen maintained at a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius.
Bitumen 60/70 is suitable for road construction and for the asphalt pavements with superior properties. This type of bitumen used in the manufacture of hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses and the main usage of this product is used in the road in mild regions. The bitumen is provided during the presses of oxidation of vacuum bottom in bitumen production units. Due to its medium air blowing and penetration, it is used in mild areas.
Bitumen 60/70 | Test method | Unit | Specification |
Specific gravity @ 25C | ASTM D70 | Kg/cm3 | 1.01/1.06 |
Penetration @ 25C | ASTM D5 | mm/10 | 60/70 |
Softening point C | ASTM D36 | C | 49/56 |
Ductility @25 C | ASTM D113 | cm | 100 min |
Loss on heating(wt) % | ASTM D6 | wt % | 0.2 max |
Drop in penetration after heating % | ASTM D5-D6 | % | 20 max |
Flashpoint C | ASTM D92 | C | 232 min |
Solubility in Trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | wt % | 99 min |
Spot test | A.A.S.H.O.T102 | Negative |
Bitumen Penetration Grade 60/70 is a standard penetration grade Bitumen usually used as a Paving Grade Bitumen suitable for road construction and for the production of asphalt pavements with superior properties. This grade of Bitumen is mainly used in the spraying and chip applications.