Bitumen Emulsion
How is it Produced?
What are its Various Types and Grades?
Bitumen emulsion is a liquefied type of bitumen with a low viscosity. By dispersing bitumen in water and adding an emulsifier, ordinary bitumen turns into a low viscosity liquid that can easily be used in a variety of applications, including repairing and maintaining roads, waterproofing, spraying, etc.
Emulsions make it easy to handle, store, transport, and apply bitumen at a lower temperature: Since this type of bitumen is liquid, there is no need to heat it before application. Moreover, applying bitumen emulsions using cold techniques reduces the consumption of energy and makes road construction environmentally friendlier.
What is Bitumen Emulsion Composition?
Bitumen emulsion is a combination of water and bitumen. As the mixture of water and oily products quickly separate, a third component is normally added to the mixture, in order to make it more stable.
Known as emulsifier, this third component is used for making a mixture of water and oil dispersed in each other. In addition to their ability to reduce the tension between oil and water molecules, emulsifiers have an electronic charge that affect the molecules of bitumen emulsion and lead to the categorization of it into Cationic and Anionic.
Cationic emulsifiers, for example, form a layer of positive charge around the bitumen droplets that prevent them from joining each other. This makes bitumen dispersion in water more durable.
The electronic charge of bitumen emulsion decides on what kind of surface it should be used. Some aggregates (such as marble aggregates) mix better with anionic bitumen emulsion and some others are a better solution to cationic bitumen emulsion (such as granite aggregates).
The Difference Between Cationic and Anionic Bitumen Emulsion
How is Bitumen Emulsion Manufactured?
Bitumen emulsion is usually made using a collide mill, which mixes bitumen with water and emulsifier. In this process, bitumen is milled into very small droplets that can easily suspend in the water.
With the addition of emulsifiers, bitumen droplets become more water friendly. Water droplets as well move closer to the tiny droplets of bitumen, making sure that the final bituminous product is stable enough.
In the manufacturing process, many factors such as droplets’ size, chemical addition, and the temperature of various components are accurately controlled. The resulting bitumen has a consistent structure that makes it unique for various applications.
What are Different Types of Bitumen Emulsion?
Various emulsions are classified based on two main factors: particles’ electrostatic charge and breaking or setting time.
In an emulsion, if the particles’ charge be negative, the bitumen emulsion is called Anionic and introduces itself wit letter “A”. Otherwise, the bitumen is known as cationic and have the “C” letter.
The second grading system of bitumen emulsion is closely related to the application. When applied to a surface, bitumen emulsion must break and set. Technically, breaking means the evaporation of water, which makes bitumen strong enough for sticking to aggregates and setting on the place of application.
The time that is needed for bitumen emulsion to lose water and behave like an ordinary bitumen, is called the reactivity rate. This parameter determines whether the bitumen is rapid setting emulsion, medium setting emulsion, and slow setting medium.
Another factor that can affect the reactivity of bitumen emulsion is the temperature of the surface onto which it is applied. In a hot weather, evaporation of water can accelerate.
Good to know that, the final mixture of bitumen emulsion contains 40% water and 60% bitumen and emulsifier.
Both cationic and anionic bitumen emulsions are categorized according to the setting time. Look at the table below to find the various categories of bitumen emulsion and their globally standard names.
| Cationic Emulsions | Anionic Emulsions | |||||||
| Rapid Settings (RS) Type | CRS-1 | CRS-2 | RS-1 | Rs-2 | ||||
| Medium Settings (MS) Type | CMS-2 | MS-2 | ||||||
| Slow Settings (SS) Type | CSS-1 | CSS-1h | Modified Css-1h | SS-1 | SS-1h | Modified SS-1h | ||
Bitumen Emulsion
Grades and Specifications
| Bitumen Emulsion CSS-1h Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 25 °C, SFS | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability test, 24-h, % | – | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | positive | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve test, % | – | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Cement mixing test, % | 2.0 | ASTM D6935 | |
| Distillation: | |||
| Residue,% | 57 | – | ASTM D244 |
| Tests on residue from distillation test: | |||
| Penetration, 25°C (77°F), 100 g, 5 s | 40 | 90 | ASTM D5 |
| Ductility, 25°C (77°F), 5 cm/min, cm | 40 | – | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene, % | 97.5 | – | ASTM D2042 |
| Bitumen Emulsion CMS-2 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 50 °C, SFS | 50 | 450 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability test, 24-h, % | – | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Coating ability and water resistance: | |||
| Coating, dry aggregate | Good | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, after spraying | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, wet aggregate | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, after spraying | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Particle charge test | Positive | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve test, % | – | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Distillation: | |||
| Oil distillate, by volume of emulsion, % | – | 12 | ASTM D6997 |
| Residue, % | 65 | – | ASTM D244 |
| Tests on residue from distillation test: | |||
| Penetration, 25°C (77°F), 100 g, 5 s | 100 | 250 | ASTM D5 |
| Ductility, 25°C (77°F), 5 cm/min, cm | 40 | – | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene, % | 97.5 | – | ASTM D2042 |
| Bitumen Emulsion CMS-2h Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 50 °C, SFS | 40 | 450 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability test, 24-h, % | – | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Coating ability and water resistance: | |||
| Coating, dry aggregate | Good | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, after spraying | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, wet aggregate | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, after spraying | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Particle charge test | Positive | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve test, % | – | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Distillation: | |||
| Oil distillate, by volume of emulsion, % | – | 12 | ASTM D6997 |
| Residue, % | 65 | – | ASTM D244 |
| Tests on residue from distillation test: | |||
| Penetration, 25°C (77°F), 100 g, 5 s | 40 | 90 | ASTM D5 |
| Ductility, 25°C (77°F), 5 cm/min, cm | 40 | – | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene, % | 97.5 | – | ASTM D2042 |
| Bitumen Emulsion CMS-2h Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 50 °C, SFS | 40 | 450 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability test, 24-h, % | – | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Coating ability and water resistance: | |||
| Coating, dry aggregate | Good | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, after spraying | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, wet aggregate | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Coating, after spraying | Fair | ASTM D244 | |
| Particle charge test | Positive | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve test, % | – | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Distillation: | |||
| Oil distillate, by volume of emulsion, % | – | 12 | ASTM D6997 |
| Residue, % | 65 | – | ASTM D244 |
| Tests on residue from distillation test: | |||
| Penetration, 25°C (77°F), 100 g, 5 s | 40 | 90 | ASTM D5 |
| Ductility, 25°C (77°F), 5 cm/min, cm | 40 | – | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene, % | 97.5 | – | ASTM D2042 |
| Bitumen Emulsion CRS-2 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 25 °C, SFS | 100 | 400 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability test, 24-h, % | – | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Demulsibility, 35 mL, 0.8 % dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, % | 40 | – | ASTM D6936 |
| Coating ability and water resistance: | |||
| Particle charge test | Positive | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve test, % | – | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Distillation : | |||
| Oil distillate, by volume of emulsion, % | – | 3 | ASTM D6997 |
| Residue, % | 65 | – | ASTM D244 |
| Tests on residue from distillation test: | |||
| Penetration, 25°C (77°F), 100 g, 5 s | 100 | 250 | ASTM D5 |
| Ductility, 25°C (77°F), 5 cm/min, cm | 40 | – | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene, % | 97.5 | – | ASTM D2042 |
| Bitumen Emulsion SS-1 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity SSF, 25 °C (s) | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Viscosity SSF, 50 °C (s) | — | — | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24 h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Demulcibility , 0.02 N CaCl2 (%) | — | — | |
| Cement mixing (%) | — | 2 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue (%) | 57 | — | ASTM-D244 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | ASTM D2042 | |
| Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g,5s mm | 100 | 200 | ASTM D5 |
| ductility, 77°F (25 °C), 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | ASTM D113 | |
| Bitumen Emulsion SS-1h Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity SSF , 25 °C (s) | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Viscosity SSF, 50 °C (s) | — | — | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24 h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Cement mixing (%) | — | 2 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue (%) | 57 | — | ASTM-D244 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | ASTM D2042 | |
| Penetration 77°F (25°C) | 40 | 90 | ASTM D5 |
| ductility, 77°F (25 °C), 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | ASTM D113 | |
| Bitumen Emulsion RS-1 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity SSF, 25 °C (s) | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Demulcibility , 35ml, 8% dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, % | 60 | — | ASTM D6936 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 55 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 100 | 200 | ASTM D5 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Bitumen Emulsion RS-2 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity SSF, 25 °C (s) | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Demulcibility , 35ml, 8% dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, % | 60 | — | ASTM D6936 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 63 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 100 | 200 | ASTM D5 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Bitumen Emulsion MS-2 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity SSF, 25 °C (s) | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 65 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 100 | 200 | ASTM D5 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Bitumen Emulsion MS-2h Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity SSF, 25 °C (s) | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D244 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 65 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 40 | 90 | ASTM D5 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Bitumen Emulsion HFMS-1 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 25 °C, SFS | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D6936 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 55 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 100 | 200 | ASTM D5 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Float of residue. 60 °C (s) | 1200 | ASTM D139 | |
| Bitumen Emulsion HFMS-2 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 25 °C, SFS | 100 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D6936 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 65 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 100 | 200 | ASTM D5 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Float of residue. 60 °C (s) | 1200 | ASTM D139 | |
| Bitumen Emulsion HFMS-2s Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 25 °C, SFS | 50 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D6936 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 65 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Solvents, by volume of emulsion | 1 | 7 | ASTM D6997 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 200 | — | ASTM D5 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Float of residue. 60 °C (s) | 1200 | ASTM D139 | |
| Bitumen Emulsion HFMS-2h Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 25 °C, SFS | 100 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D6936 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 65 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 40 | 90 | ASTM D5 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene % | 97.5 | — | ASTM D2042 |
| Float of residue. 60 °C (s) | 1200 | ASTM D139 | |
| Bitumen Emulsion HFRS-2 Specification | |||
| Property | Min | Max | Test Method |
| Viscosity, Saybolt Furol at 25 °C, SFS | 20 | 100 | ASTM D244 |
| Storage stability, 24h (%) | — | 1 | ASTM D6930 |
| Particle charge test | Minus | ASTM D6936 | |
| Sieve (%) | — | 0.1 | ASTM D6933 |
| Demulcibility , 35ml, 8% dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, % | 60 | — | ASTM D6933 |
| Residue by distillation (%) | 63 | — | ASTM D244 |
| Residue penetration, 25 °C | 100 | 200 | ASTM D5 |
| Residue ductility, 25 °C, 5cm/min (cm) | 40 | — | ASTM D113 |
| Float of residue. 60 °C (s) | 1200 | ASTM D139 | |
What Factors are Important in Grading Bitumen Emulsion?
Viscosity
The first vital factor for grading bitumen emulsion is the viscosity value. The viscosity of bitumen emulsion is determined by its bitumen content. An emulsion with small droplet size and a narrow distribution will give a higher viscosity.
Ductility
To indicate the bitumen resistance to breaking, a ductility test is done. This testing system measures the extent to which a sample of bitumen can stretch before breaking. A bitumen emulsion that its ductility is more than 40 cm makes the surface of a road safe and strong to heavy traffic and do not break easily.
Penetration
The softness level of bitumen is indicated by entering a standard needle into it. The harder the bitumen, the better it is for using in hot temperatures. The standard range of penetration can vary among different grades of bitumen emulsion.
Storage Stability
This parameter evaluates the stability of bitumen emulsion during the storage. known also as sedimentation, storage stability shows if the bitumen emulsion droplets settle after manufacturing or not.
For testing the sedimentation of bitumen emulsion, a sample of bitumen is stored in a cylinder in the room temperature. After 24 hours, two sample will be taken, one from the top of the cylinder and the other from the bottom. The weight of two samples will be compared at the next stage. The difference between two samples’ weight should not exceed 1 unit.
Two main factors that affect the storage stability of bitumen emulsion are viscosity level and the droplet size. A bitumen with smaller droplets has less risk of settlement.
