Bitumen
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Bitumen
Out of the numerous types of crude oils available (roughly 1,300), only around 10% can produce bitumen that meets the rigorous engineering requirements of modern end users.
Bitumen is a sticky and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid derived from petroleum. It is commonly used in road construction as a binder mixed with aggregate to create asphalt concrete. Bitumen also finds applications in bituminous waterproofing products, such as roofing felt and flat roof sealants.
Approximately 102 million tons of bitumen are used worldwide each year, with about 85% used as a binder in road asphalt. It is also used in other paved areas like airport runways, car parks, and footpaths. Bitumen should not be confused with tar, which is a similar black material produced from coal distillation.
Bitumen
Bitumen Specifications
Bitumen is available in a variety of grades. Specifications vary to meet the needs of the consuming industries and are based on a series of physical.
Viscosity
Viscosity graded bitumen is evaluated based on its viscosity at a standard temperature, typically 60°C. The viscosity is indicated with a prefix “V,” such as V1500, to denote nominal viscosity.
Penetration
Bitumen is classified by the depth to which a standard needle will penetrate under specified test conditions. This “pen” test classification is used to indicate the hardness of bitumen, lower penetration indicating a harder bitumen.
Oxidized
Bitumen can undergo oxidation at elevated temperatures, which alters its physical properties for specific commercial purposes. The degree of oxidation can vary from minimal (air-rectification or semi-blowing) to significant changes compared to penetration grade bitumen.
The physical properties are designed to define performance characteristics that are required under the climatic and loading conditions that the bitumen will experience in service.