What Are the Grades of Bitumen? - Peak Universal Business

bitumen, What are the grades of bitumen?

🛣️ What Are the Grades of Bitumen? | Types & Industrial Classifications

What are the grades of bitumen? In the construction and infrastructure Industry, bitumen stands as a fundamental material, offering durability, flexibility, and weather resistance. As a crucial component in road paving, waterproofing, and roofing, bitumen comes in various grades, each tailored to specific applications. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the diverse grades of bitumen, their properties, and applications, shedding light on the versatile nature of this indispensable material.

Peak Universal Business, a leading supplier of construction materials, offers a comprehensive range of bitumen products tailored to the diverse needs of their customers. From road asphalt to industrial-grade bitumen coatings, Peak Universal Business provides high-quality materials that meet strict industry standards and specifications.

🔍 Bitumen Grading Systems Explained

Bitumen is categorized into different grades based on penetration, viscosity, softening point, or performance. Each grading system is designed to indicate how the bitumen will behave under varied temperature ranges and mechanical stress.

Let’s explore the main grading types used globally:

📊 Types of Bitumen Grades

Bitumen Grades vary based on their viscosity, penetration, and temperature susceptibility, among other factors. These properties determine the suitability of bitumen for specific applications and environmental conditions. Here are some common grades of bitumen and their respective applications:

1️⃣ Penetration Grade Bitumen (Pen Grade)

This is one of the oldest and most commonly used grading systems. It is based on the depth (in tenths of a millimeter) that a standard needle penetrates into the bitumen at 25°C under specific conditions.

Common Pen Grades:

Grade	Penetration (dmm)	Typical Application
10/20	10–20	Heavy-load roads, hot climates
20/30	20–30	Expressways, industrial zones
30/40	30–40	Base layers, warm regions
40/50	40–50	Binder courses, medium climate
60/70	60–70	Flexible pavements, general road use
80/100	80–100	Cold climates, surface dressing

✅ Lower penetration = harder bitumen; higher penetration = softer bitumen

2️⃣ Viscosity Grade Bitumen (VG Grade)

VG Bitumen is classified based on its viscosity at 60°C, giving a more accurate measure of its flow properties and resistance to temperature changes.

VG Bitumen Grades:

Grade	Viscosity Range (Poise)	Typical Use
VG-10	800–1200	Cold weather paving, spraying
VG-20	1600–2400	Moderate climate roads
VG-30	2400–3600	Hot climates, high-traffic roads
VG-40	3200–4800	Heavy-duty highways, industrial zones

✅ More stable and predictable than penetration grades

3️⃣ Performance Grade Bitumen (PG Grade)

PG Bitumen is widely used in the USA and some international projects. It’s based on performance under actual temperature extremes.

Common PG Grades:

Grade	Min/Max Temp Range (°C)	Use Case
PG 58-22	-22°C to 58°C	Cold-to-warm climates
PG 64-22	-22°C to 64°C	Moderate to hot climates
PG 70-10	-10°C to 70°C	High temperature, low cold resistance
PG 76-22	-22°C to 76°C	Very hot climates, heavy traffic

✅ Ideal for performance-based pavement design

4️⃣ Cutback Bitumen Grades

Cutback bitumen is made by dissolving bitumen in a solvent. It is categorized based on curing time.

Rapid Curing (RC) – RC-30, RC-70, RC-250
Medium Curing (MC) – MC-30, MC-70, MC-250
Slow Curing (SC) – SC-70, SC-250

🔄 Used in cold weather or spray applications

5️⃣ Emulsified Bitumen Grades

Emulsions are bitumen mixed with water and an emulsifier. These are graded based on setting time and ionic type (cationic or anionic).

Rapid Setting (RS) – RS-1, RS-2
Medium Setting (MS) – MS-1
Slow Setting (SS) – SS-1, SS-2

🌧️ Ideal for surface dressing, patching, and low-temperature work

6️⃣ Oxidized Bitumen Grades (Blown Bitumen)

Produced by blowing air through bitumen at high temperatures, resulting in higher softening points and lower penetration.

Common Grades: 85/25, 90/15, 115/15

🔥 Used in waterproofing, roofing, and industrial flooring

7️⃣ Asphalt Rubber (AR Grade Bitumen)

AR Bitumen is bitumen blended with crumb rubber from recycled tires to improve elasticity and durability.

Grades: AR-1000, AR-2000
Used In: Crack sealing, surface coatings, high-stress pavements

♻️ Eco-friendly and highly durable

Peak Universal Business offers a range of bitumen products tailored to specific applications, including road asphalt, waterproofing membranes, and industrial coatings. Their bitumen materials are manufactured to precise specifications, ensuring optimal performance and longevity in demanding environments.

✅ Conclusion- What are the grades of bitumen?

Understanding the various grades of bitumen is critical for selecting the right binder for your project. From penetration and viscosity grades to performance and rubber-modified types, each grade is engineered to suit specific climatic and traffic conditions. Choosing the right grade improves durability, reduces maintenance, and ensures long-term performance of your pavement or industrial system.

Bitumen stands as a cornerstone material in construction and infrastructure, offering durability, flexibility, and weather resistance. With a diverse range of grades tailored to specific applications, bitumen meets the evolving needs of various industries, from road paving to waterproofing and roofing.

As a trusted supplier of construction materials, Peak Universal Business provides high-quality bitumen products that meet stringent industry standards and specifications. With their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction, Peak Universal Business remains a preferred choice for bitumen solutions in the ever-expanding landscape of construction and infrastructure development.