Penetration Grade Bitumen

August 6, 2019
8 minutes

Penetration grade bitumen is unique for road construction in various environmental conditions. These grades of bitumen are named due to their level of hardness and consistency, which leads to the classification of bitumen in a range of grades from 30 to 120.

The main goal for grading bitumen based on penetration is to determine their suitability for use in various construction methods and under different climatic conditions.

Known also as paving grade bitumen,  PEN grades are classified based on the depth into which a certain laboratory needle penetrates them.

penetration test is performed to indicate the hardness of bitumen.

If the achieved figures were high, the tested bitumen is soft. It means that the needle has penetrated in more depth.

On the contrary, lower figures show that the tested bitumen is hard and the penetration depth is shallow. For instance, when we say bitumen 60/70, the first number stands for minimum penetration, and the second one stands for maximum penetration.

Bitumen pen grades include 40/50, 60/70, 80/100, 85/100.

Among all grades, bitumen 85/100 is the softest, and bitumen 40/50 is the hardest one.

Below you can find a detailed guide on various grades of bitumen, their specification, and applications.

Bitumen 30/40
Bitumen Penetration Grade 30/40 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Specific Gravity at 25 °CASTM D70kg/m³1.011.05
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sASTM D50.1mm3040
Softening PointASTM D36°C5160
Ductility at 25 °CASTM D113Cm100
Loss on HeatingASTM D6%WT0.5
Drop in Penetration after HeatingASTM D5%20
Flash PointASTM D92°C250
Solubility in TrichloroethyleneASTM D2042%WT99.5
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

30/40 bitumen means penetration grade bitumen type which its penetration is in the range 30 to 40 mm at 25 degree Celsius. Bitumen 30/40 is a hard grade of bitumen. This grade is one of the most used bitumen grades for road construction in tropical areas.

As the hot weather of these regions can be a challenge for mixtures of asphalt, bitumen 30/40 is offered due to its high air blowing and penetration value.

Bitumen grade 30/40 is produced from the vacuum residue in a refinery.

Available Packing: New Steel DrumJumbo Bag, BituBag, Bulk

Bitumen 40/50
Bitumen Penetration Grade 40/50 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Specific Gravity at 25 °CASTM D70kg/m³1.011.05
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sASTM D50.1mm4050
Softening PointASTM D36°C5260
Ductility at 25 °CASTM D113Cm100
Loss on HeatingASTM D6%WT0.5
Drop in Penetration after HeatingASTM D5%20
Flash PointASTM D92°C250
Solubility in TrichloroethyleneASTM D2042%WT99.5
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

Bitumen 40/50 indicates that the penetration value is in the range of 40 to 50 at standard laboratory conditions.

To be more specific, the penetration value of this grade is between 4 to 5 mm. This grade of bitumen is also known as the paving grade of bitumen. It is produced by aeration of vacuum bottom in bitumen production units.

Bitumen 40/50 is suitable for road construction and asphalt pavements. This type of bitumen is applicable in manufacturing hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses. Another usage of this product is on the roads in tropical regions.

Available Packing: New Steel Drum, Jumbo Bag, BituBag, Bulk, Bitutainer

Usage and Application: Road construction, Asphalt pavements

Bitumen 50/70
Bitumen Penetration Grade 50/70 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sEN 14260.1mm5070
Softening PointEN 1427°C4654
Kinematic Viscosity@135 °CEN 12595CST295
Penetration IndexEN12591mm-1.5+ 0.7
Flash Point EN 2592°C230
Solubility in Toluene or XyleneEN 12592%WT99
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

Bitumen 50/70 is a semi hard type of bitumen which is mostly applied in construction and asphalt repair.

Available Packing: New Steel Drum, Jumbo Bag, BituBag, Bitutainer, Bulk

Usage and Application: Asphalt, Paving

Bitumen 60/70
Bitumen Penetration Grade 60/70 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Specific Gravity at 25 °CASTM D70kg/m³1.011.06
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sASTM D50.1mm6070
Softening PointASTM D36°C4956
Ductility at 25 °CASTM D113Cm100
Loss on HeatingASTM D6%WT0.2
Drop in Penetration after HeatingASTM D5%20
Flash PointASTM D92°C250
Solubility in TrichloroethyleneASTM D2042%WT99
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

Bitumen 60/70, just like other penetration grades, is produced through a blowing process in a refinery. Visit the bitumen production process page to know more details about air blowing process in a refinery.

Due to its medium air blowing and penetration, it is suitable for mild areas. It’s applicable in road constructions. As it is neither hard or soft, it’s highly recommended in a temperate climate.

This grade of bitumen is mainly used for pavement of roads suitable for commercial traffic.

Available Packing: New Steel Drum, Jumbo Bag, BituBag, Bitutainer, Bulk

Usage and Application: Road constructions and paving, especially where traffic is very heavy.

Bitumen 70/100
Bitumen Penetration Grade 70/100 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Specific Gravity at 25 °CEN 15326 kg/m³1.011.05
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sEN 14260.1mm70100
Softening PointEN 1427°C4353
Ductility at 25 °CEN 13589Cm100
Loss on HeatingEN 12607%WT0.5
Flash PointEN 2592°C225
Solubility in TrichloroethyleneEN 12592%WT99
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

70/100 Penetration Grade Bitumen is used as the base bitumen for the manufacture of the majority of bitumen emulsions and polymer modified binders.

Available Packing: New Steel Drum, Jumbo Bag, BituBag, Bitutainer, Bulk

Usage: Construction of single seals, double seals, and Cape seals, either as a tack Coat or penetration sprays

Bitumen 80/100
Bitumen Penetration Grade 80/100 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Specific Gravity at 25 °CASTM D70kg/m³1.011.05
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sASTM D50.1mm80100
Softening PointASTM D36°C4252
Ductility at 25 °CASTM D113Cm100
Loss on HeatingASTM D6%WT0.5
Flash PointASTM D92°C225
Solubility in TrichloroethyleneASTM D2042%WT99
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

Bitumen 80/100 grade is a semi-soft grade of bitumen which is appropriate for cold regions.

This grade is notably used in northern Africa especially Kenya and Tanzania market. 

Although this bitumen grade has been used in many countries, it has been mostly used in East African countries such as Kenya and Tanzania.

Infinity Galaxy company is proud to have the responsibility of exporting bitumen grade 80/100 to great costumers of these two countries.

If you require to know the steps of buying bitumen in Kenya, you can read the page Buy Bitumen in Kenya, to get more information.

It should be noted that having PVOC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) and GIS (Government and Institution Services) documents is mandatory for exporting bitumen grade 80/100 to Mombasa port of Kenya. Besides, the drums must have the specific marking approved by Mombasa customs in Kenya. For exporting to other East African countries, PVOC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) and GIS (Government and Institution Services) inspection are not required anymore. Only SGS inspection is needed for the commodity entrance.

Available Packing: New Steel Drum, Jumbo Bag, BituBag, Bitutainer, Bulk

Usage: road constructions, Asphalt, Paving

Country of use: Northern Africa, Kenya and Tanzania market

Bitumen 85/100
Bitumen Penetration Grade 85/100 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Specific Gravity at 25 °CASTM D70kg/m³1.011.05
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sASTM D50.1mm85100
Softening PointASTM D36°C4252
Ductility at 25 °CASTM D113Cm100
Loss on HeatingASTM D6%WT0.5
Flash PointASTM D92°C225
Solubility in TrichloroethyleneASTM D2042%WT99
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

Bitumen 85/100 grade is a type of bitumen with the penetration value of 85 to 100 mm.

Due to its low air blowing and penetration value, it is suitable for cold regions. 85/100 grade does not crack in low temperatures.

Available Packing: New Steel Drum, Jumbo Bag, BituBag, Bitutainer, Bulk

Usage: Asphalt, Paving, Insulation

Bitumen 100/120
Bitumen Penetration Grade 100/120 Specifications
SpecificationTest MethodUnitMin.Max.
Specific Gravity at 25 °CASTM D70kg/m³1.011.04
Penetration at 25 °C, 100g, 5sASTM D50.1mm100120
Softening PointASTM D36°C4249
Ductility at 25 °CASTM D113Cm100
Loss on HeatingASTM D6%WT0.2
Flash PointASTM D92°C250
Solubility in TrichloroethyleneASTM D2042%WT99.5
Spot TestAASHTO T102Negative

Bitumen 100/120 is a standard penetration grade.

Available Packing: New Steel Drum, Jumbo Bag, BituBag, Bulk

Usage: Road construction, Asphalt repair, Roof insulation

Bitumen penetration grades are mainly used in the manufacturing of hot mix asphalt for road base and wearing courses.

Read the article about different types of bitumen that can be used in road construction to know more about types of bitumen that can be used in prime coat, tack coat and other layers.

To choose among various grades of bitumen penetration, many factors should be taken into account, including, the average temperature of the region, the level of traffic loads, and the type of soil.

The higher the penetration grade, the softer the bitumen. So 80/100 is much softer than 40/50. Soft bitumen is more suitable for soils with high particle density such as clay. On the other hand, high penetration graded bitumen works better for soils with low particle density.

Air temperature is another crucial factor in selecting penetration grade. If you are paving a road in a very cold or even hot region, be careful. If the bitumen is too soft or hard in the environment temperature, the possibility of cracking or deformation increases.

Therefore, soft bitumen performs better in cold climates and hard bitumen works better in hot climates.

Considering the traffic load is also necessary when it comes to penetration grades. Softer grades like 60/70 show more durability exposing to heavy traffic loads. Accordingly, lower grades are used for paving roads with high traffic loads.

Before using penetration grade bitumen, pay attention to test results and other factors such as penetration gradeflash pointsoftening pointductility, and specific gravity

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Mozhdeh Darbandizadeh

August 6, 2019
8 minutes
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