Category: Bitumen

Bitumen undergoes a viscosity test that results in its classification into various grades, such as VG10, VG20, VG30, and VG40. In the viscosity grading system, higher numbers indicate harder bitumen. The standards for viscosity grade bitumen are determined by IS 73, ASTM, and AASHTO. The shift from penetration grade to viscosity grade occurred in 2006, as per IS standards.

Understanding viscosity grade bitumen involves examining its definition, applications, and specifications. VG bitumen finds diverse applications, with over 250 identified uses due to its water impermeability and high adhesion properties. The advantages of VG bitumen over penetration bitumen include suitability for a wide temperature range, fewer tests leading to time and cost savings, longer durability in pavements, and consistent rutting performance in hot weather.

VG bitumen is employed in areas with high traffic loads, providing superior performance. The article delves into the specific characteristics of VG 10, VG 20, VG 30, and VG 40 bitumen grades.

VG 10 Bitumen:

VG10 bitumen, the softest viscosity grade, is widely used for spraying applications and surface coating. It is suitable for road paving in very cold climates, with an application temperature range of -10°C to 25°C. VG10 is also utilized in the manufacturing of bitumen emulsions and modified bitumen products, particularly in India.

VG 20 Bitumen:

VG20 bitumen, designed for cold climatic and high-altitude regions, is suitable for road construction in areas with an average temperature of 30 to 37°C. Commonly used in North India for hot mix asphalt, VG20 has specific penetration and viscosity values at different temperatures.

VG 30 Bitumen:

VG30 bitumen, ideal for constructing extra-heavy pavements subjected to significant traffic loads, is widely used in road construction, insulation, building, and cutback bitumen production. Popular in India, VG30 demonstrates good thermal susceptibility, making it suitable for use in hot and rainy weather conditions.

VG 40 Bitumen:

VG40 bitumen, with high viscosity, is employed in areas facing heavy traffic loads, such as intersections, toll booths, and truck parking lots. Its viscosity provides improved resistance to shoving and related issues in high-temperature environments. Industries have shifted to using VG40 instead of the penetration grade bitumen 40/50.

Viscosity Grade (India)​

Difference Between VG10 and VG30:

The primary distinction lies in viscosity levels, with VG30 being more viscous than VG10. This viscosity difference translates to better performance for VG30 in road construction, particularly in hot regions.

Difference Between VG30 and VG40:

While VG30 is suitable for mild weather, VG40 is better suited for hot climates, especially in areas facing high pressure from heavy traffic loads.

By understanding these viscosity grades and their specific applications, industry professionals can make informed decisions about the appropriate bitumen type for various conditions and construction requirements.

Understanding Bitumen Composition:

Bitumen’s specific gravity, ranging between 0.97 and 1.02, underscores its status as a mixture of heavy organic molecules. Exhibiting a semi-solid, viscous consistency in shades of brown to black, bitumen lacks a singular composition formula. Its classification hinges on physical attributes like hardness and viscosity.

Molecular Components:

Bitumen comprises two primary molecular groups: asphaltene and maltene. Maltene influences bitumen’s adherence properties, while asphaltene molecules impact its hardness and viscosity. Classified as a thermoplastic material, bitumen reacts to temperature changes without defined melting, boiling, or freezing points, highlighting its unique organic composition.

Chemical Inertness and Waterproofing:

Bitumen’s chemical inertness and insolubility in water, typical of hydrocarbon materials, contribute to its suitability as a waterproof and anti-rust material. The chemical reaction of bitumen with oxygen, known as oxidation, occurs gradually, ensuring its long-lasting durability.

Physical Characteristics:

1. Hardness or Penetration:

Measured by penetration values, bitumen hardness indicates its suitability for various applications. Higher penetration values signify softer bitumen, ideal for road construction, while lower values indicate harder bitumen, suitable for waterproofing projects. The hardness of bitumen is also influenced by environmental factors like UV exposure and temperature fluctuations.

2. Adhesion:

Bitumen’s adhesive properties, crucial in road construction, make it an effective binder for aggregating materials. Ensuring a dry surface is paramount before applying bitumen to maximize adhesion. The type of bitumen selected depends on the weather conditions of the construction region, with softer grades favored in colder climates and harder grades in hotter environments.

3. Softening Point:

Bitumen’s softening point, determined by the ring and ball test method, is crucial for road construction. Bitumen with a higher softening point is preferable in hot weather, ensuring it maintains its efficiency by melting more slowly.

4. Viscosity and Fluidity:

Viscosity, a key property in achieving uniform asphalt, is influenced by temperature. Lower viscosity makes bitumen suitable for hot weather, maintaining adherence properties, while higher viscosity is preferred in colder conditions to prevent premature hardening and cracking.

5. Ductility:

Bitumen’s ductility and viscoelastic properties contribute to the flexibility of asphalt. The ductility test assesses the bitumen’s ability to return to its original shape after deformation, ensuring a durable and flexible binder for coating aggregates.

The penetration test assesses the consistency and stability of pure bitumen, oxidized bitumen (blown bitumen), and the residue of emulsion bitumen. However, this test is not suitable for very soft materials with low viscosity, such as tars.

This procedure categorizes bitumen based on its hardness, employing a needle with a 100-gram load that vertically penetrates the bitumen for 5 seconds at 25 degrees Celsius. The penetration value, measured in tenths of a millimeter, indicates the hardness of the bitumen. A higher penetration value corresponds to a higher bitumen grade.

For oxidized bitumen, a softening point test is used in conjunction with the penetration test for classification. The softening point test involves preparing bitumen discs and determining the temperature at which these discs can no longer support a standard metal ball.

The penetration test is conducted under specified conditions of time, temperature, and load. Typically performed at 25°C with a 100g load for 5 seconds, the test may also be conducted at different temperatures for low-temperature bitumen. A 200 pen bitumen, for example, has a needle penetration of 200 dmm at 25°C under a 100g load for 5 seconds.

The advantages of penetration grade bitumen include its relevance to typical pavement temperatures, potential correlation with low-temperature asphalt binder properties, and its quick and cost-effective nature, making it suitable for field use.

However, the test has its limitations. It is empirical and does not measure fundamental engineering parameters like viscosity. The variable and high shear rate during the test may impact results, and the test does not provide information for establishing mixing and compaction temperatures.

Bitumen penetration tests are conducted using standard methods, such as ASTM D5, ASTM D946 & AASHTO M 20, EN 12591, EN 1426, DIN 52210, SABS 307, IP 49 50 & 167, and IS Code 1203.

The penetration test apparatus includes components such as a water bath, sample container, transfer dish, penetration needle, stopwatch, thermometer, and penetrometer. The test procedure involves heating the bitumen specimen to 90°C, stirring it to achieve consistency, and then cooling it to atmospheric temperature. The penetration test is conducted by releasing a 100g load needle onto the bitumen surface for 5 seconds, with at least three determinations for each sample.

Accuracy is crucial in the penetration test method to avoid errors. Common pitfalls include poor sampling, inadequate sample preparation, equipment maintenance issues, and inaccuracies in temperature and time control.

German bitumen production fell by almost a quarter in the first half of this year, as refiners have been forced to run lighter crude slates through the country’s refining system.
Consumption fell sharply too.
Early in the year, the 226,000 b/d PCK Schwedt refinery in northeast Germany was producing no bitumen, after an embargo on Russian crude supplies was implemented.
But since the refinery’s restart with a supply of alternative crudes, including from Kazakhstan through the Druzhba pipeline, the refinery has been producing bitumen again although at below 50pc of levels seen pre-sanctions.

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