Penetration Grade Bitumen

Bitumen penetration grade is a commonly used standard grade of bitumen for pavement across the world. It is classified based on its penetration number, which determines its hardness. Known as paving grade bitumen, PEN grades are categorized based on the depth that a laboratory needle penetrates them, including 40/50, 60/70, 80/100, and 85/100. Bitumen 85/100 is the softest, while 40/50 is the hardest on the PEN grading scale
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Penetration Grade
America Standard ASTM
CHARACTERISTIC UNIT 40/50 60/70 80/100 120/150 TEST METHOD
Penetration @ 25°C 0.1 mm 40/50 60/70 80/100 120/150 ASTM D 5
Flash point °C >250 >250 >225 >218 ASTM D 92
Solubility in TCE % WT >99.5 >99.5 >99.5 >99 ASTM D2040
Specific Gravity @ 25°C kg/m3 1.01-1.06 1.01-1.06 1.01-1.05 1.00-1.05 ASTM D 70
Ductility @ 25°C cm >100 >/OO >100 >100 ASTM D 113
Softening point °C 52-60 49-56 42-52 38-45 ASTM D 36
Loss on heating % WT <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.5 ASTM D 6
Drop in penetration after heating % <20 <20 <20 <20 ASTM D 5
Penetration Grade
Europe Standard EN 12591
CHARACTERISTIC UNIT 35/50 50/70 70/100 150/200 TEST METHOD
Penetration @ 25°C 0.1 mm 35/50 50/70 70/100 150/200 EN 1426
Viscosity at 60°C, Pa.s Poises 220-400 120-250 75-150 30-60 EN 12595
Viscosity at 135°C, mPa.s CST 270-650 220-450 150-400 120-300 EN 12595
Ductility @ 25°C cm >100 >100 IOO >100 EN 13589
Flash point °C >250 >250 >225 >218 EN 2595
Specific Gravity @ 25°C kg/m3 1.01-1.06 1.01-1.06 1.01-1.05 1.00-1.04 EN 1427
Softening point °C 49-59 46-56 42-51 36-43 EN 1427

Viscosity grade bitumen

The VG grading system was developed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and is widely used in India. It is classified based on its viscosity, measured in centistokes at 60°C.
The VG grading system includes VG 10, VG 30, VG 40, and VG 50. The higher the VG number, the more viscous and stiffer the bitumen. Viscosity is an important factor in determining the performance characteristics of VG bitumen, including its resistance to deformation, fatigue, and cracking under traffic and environmental loads.

Viscosity Grade (India)
CHARACTERISTIC UNIT VG40 VG30 VG20 VG10 TEST METHOD
Penetration @ 25°C 0.1 mm 40/60 50/70 60/80 80/100 ASTM D 5
Viscosity at 60°C, Pa.s Poises 3200-4800 2400-3600 1600-2400 800-1200 ASTM D 1171
Viscosity at 135°C, mPa.s CST 400 MIN 350 MIN 300 MIN 250 MIN ASTM D 2170
Ductility @ 25°C cm >100 100 >100 >100 ASTM D 113
Solubility in TCE % WT >99 >99 >99 >99 ASTM D 2040
Flash point °C >220 >220 >220 >220 ASTM D 92
Softening point °C 50 MIN 47 MIN 45 M N 40 MIN ASTM D 36
Tests on residue from rolling thin film oven test
a) Viscosity ratio at 60°C 4 MAX 4 N.4 AX 4 MAX 4 MAX ASTM D 2171
b) Ductility at 25°C 25 MIN 40 MIN 50 MIN 75 MIN ASTM D 113

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