What is cutback asphalt?

Cutback asphalt is softer than ordinary asphalt and has a lower viscosity level. In order to reduce the viscosity of asphalt, we add a controlled amount of petroleum extracts such as kerosene, naphtha, diesel oil, and furnace oil to ordinary asphalt. Cutback bitumen doesn’t need heating; the solvents in cutback bitumen met the need for heating by reducing its viscosity. Cold weather is the place where cutback bitumen is widely used.

What is cutback bitumen?

Cutback bitumen is a type of low viscosity bitumen that can be used in low temperature applications. To reduce the viscosity of bitumen, we add petroleum extracts such as kerosene, naphtha, diesel oil, and furnace oil to ordinary bitumen. The result is a softer and low viscosity bitumen useful for tack coating and spray sealing. Cutback bitumen doesn’t need heating; the solvents in cutback bitumen met the need for heating by reducing its viscosity. Cutback bitumen has three different categories as below: - Slow Curing or SC - Medium Curing or MC - Rapid Curing or RC

What is MC cutback bitumen?

MC cutback bitumen or medium curing cutback bitumen is a mixture of bitumen with a light hydrocarbon like kerosene. The main subgroups of MC bitumen are MC30, MC70, MC250, MC800 and MC3000. Medium curing bitumen may not break immediately after being mixed with aggregate, resulting in more durable mixes that can be used for an extended period of time.

What is cutback bitumen used for?

Rapid curing cutbacks (RC) are a mixture of bitumen and naphtha or gasoline. As these solvents rapidly evaporate after being used on the surface, they form a type of cutback bitumen that cure fast. Medium curing cutbacks (MC) is a blend of bitumen and intermediate solvents like kerosene. MC cutbacks evaporate and cure (harden) slower than RC cutbacks. Medium curing bitumen are recommended for mixing with fine grain aggregates and sandy oils, because they have good wetting properties. Slow curing cutbacks (SC) are produced by mixing bitumen with high-boiling-point gas and oil. This type of cutback bitumen hardens or set very slowly.

Cutback Bitumen - Infinity Galaxy

Cutback Bitumen

The industry is sometimes in need of low viscosity bitumen. There manufacturers came to a solution to deliver cutback bitumen which is a low viscosity liquid dissolved in a solvent. The main advantage of this type of bitumen is that there is no need to heat it before using.

Cutback bitumen is made by the addition of controlled amounts of petroleum extracts such as kerosene, naphtha, diesel oil, and furnace oil to perform as a solvent.

Although these adhesive materials are added to lessen the need for heating before using, they will evaporate as the bitumen is applied. This process is done for a temporary reduction of the bitumen viscosity.

Cutback bitumen is more appropriate for cold regions than the others. Primer sealing and sprayed sealing are some items for which cutback bitumen is suitable.

A short comparison between Bitumen, Cutback, and Emulsion

Bitumen should have been heated before application, to lower its viscosity rate.

Cutback bitumen offers some advantages over other types of bitumen. After the production of this low viscosity bitumen, the heating operation was put aside. Because the volatile solvents in cutback bitumen met the need for heating by alleviating its viscosity.

The only concern was the harm that cutback bitumen had, to the environment. The volatile solvents were noxious to nature, human and environment.

Then the Emulsifiers and Bitumen Emulsion came to the industry. Not only were they considered as in-noxious and safe materials since only water evaporated, but also they were energy efficient.

Must read: Advantages of bitumen emulsion to cut backs

SC

Cutback Bitumen Slow Curing, Sc is also known as road oil, is a residual substance which is obtained from the fractional distillation of specific crude petroleum. SC grades are 30, 70, 250, 800 and 3000 as follow:

SC 30

Cutback Bitumen Slow-Curing 30 Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties	Min	Max	Test Method
KINEMALIC 1 VISCOSITY AT 60°C, EST	30	60	ASTM D2170
FLASH POINT (TAG OPEN-CUP),°C	65	–	ASTM D1310
DISTILLATE TEST 2
DISTILLATE, PERCENT BY VOLUME OF TOTAL 360°C
TO 190°C	–	–	ASTM D402
TO 225°C	–	–	ASTM D402
TO 260°C	–	–	ASTM D402
TO 316°C	10	30	ASTM D402
RESIDUE FROM DISTILLATION TO 60°C 250 5000
TEST∞ ON RESIDUE FROM DISTILLATION PENETRATION AT 25°C,100G, 5 SEC.	50	–
DUCTILITY 3 AT 25°C, CM	100	–	ASTM D402 / ASTM D113
SOLUBILITY IN TRICHLOROETHYLENE, PERCENT MASS	100	–	ASTM D402 / ASTM D2024
WATER, PERCENT VOLUME	–	0.2	ASTM D95

SC 70

Cutback Bitumen Slow-Curing 70 Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	70	140	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (Cleveland open cup), °C	60	—	ASTM D92
Distillate test
Total distillate to 360°C (680°F), volume %	—	35	ASTM D402
Solubility, %	95	—	ASTM D2024
Kinematic viscosity on distillation residue at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	200	7000	ASTM D2170
∞ Asphalt residue
Residue of 100 penetration, %	40	—	ASTM D243
Ductility of 100 penetration residue at 25°C (77°F), cm	50	—	ASTM D113
Water, %	—	0.5	ASTM D95

SC 250

Cutback Bitumen Slow-Curing 250 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	250	500	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (Cleveland open cup), °C	60	—	ASTM D92
Distillate test
Total distillate to 360°C (680°F), volume %	—	25	ASTM D402
Solubility, %	95	—	ASTM D2024
Kinematic viscosity on distillation residue at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	400	10000	ASTM D2170
∞ Asphalt residue
Residue of 100 penetration, %	50	—	ASTM D243
Ductility of 100 penetration residue at 25°C (77°F), cm	50	—	ASTM D113
Water, %	—	0.5	ASTM D95

SC 800

Cutback Bitumen Slow-Curing 800 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	800	1600	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (Cleveland open cup), °C	70	—	ASTM D92
∞ Distillate test
Total distillate to 360°C (680°F), volume %	—	15	ASTM D402
Solubility, %	95	—	ASTM D2024
Kinematic viscosity on distillation residue at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	1000	16000	ASTM D2170
Asphalt residue
Residue of 100 penetration, %	60	—	ASTM D243
Ductility of 100 penetration residue at 25°C (77°F), cm	50	—	ASTM D113
Water, %	—	0.5	ASTM D95

SC 3000

Cutback Bitumen Slow-Curing 3000 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	3000	6000	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (Cleveland open cup), °C	70	—	ASTM D92
∞ Distillate test
Total distillate to 360°C (680°F), volume %	—	8	ASTM D402
Solubility, %	95	—	ASTM D2024
Kinematic viscosity on distillation residue at 60°C (140°F), mm²/s	2000	35000	ASTM D2170
Asphalt residue
Residue of 100 penetration, %	75	—	ASTM D243
Ductility of 100 penetration residue at 25°C (77°F), cm	50	—	ASTM D113
Water, %	—	0.5	ASTM D95

MC

Cutback bitumen medium curing, MC, is a chemical combination of asphalt cement and petroleum solvent.

MC bitumen is widely used in tack coats, fog seals, slurry seals, and stabilizers. Mc grades have a high prioritized place in the Kenya market.

This bitumen grade is widely applied in many countries, especially East African countries such as Kenya and Tanzania.

Infinity Galaxy has successfully exported MC30 cutback bitumen and other MC grades monthly to eminent customers of these countries.

Important to say that, exporting MC30 to Mombasa port of Kenya necessitates having PVOC (Pre-Export Verification of Conformity) and GIS (Government and Institution Services) documents, and the drums specific marking approved by Mombasa customs. On the contrary, for the export to other East African countries, PVOC and GIS are not required. Only the SGS inspection report is sufficient for the goods entrance.

To know more information about export documents click here.

Infinity Galaxy supplies Bitumen MC Grades in drums with 10 mm thickness to prevent any leakage. MC grades are as follow:

MC 30

Cutback Bitumen Medium-Curing-30 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties∞	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties∞	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°c ,cST	30	60	ASTM D2170
Flash point(tag open cup), °C	38	—	ASTM D3143
Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
Residue from distillation to 437°F (225°C) to 500°F (260°C) to 600°F (316°C) to 680°F (360°C), per cent volume by difference	—	25	ASTM D402
	30	75
	75	95
	50	—
Test on residue from distillation test
Viscosity at 140°F (60°C)	30	120	ASTM D2170
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	120	300	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, percent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

MC 70

Cutback Bitumen Medium-Curing-70 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties∞	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties∞	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°c ,cST	70	140	ASTM D2170
Flash point(tag open cup), °C	38	—	ASTM D3143
Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
Residue from distillation to 437°F (225°C) to 500°F (260°C) to 600°F (316°C) to 680°F (360°C), per cent volume by difference	—	20	ASTM D402
	10	70
	65	93
	55	—
Test on residue from distillation test
Viscosity at 140°F (60°C)	30	120	ASTM D2170
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	120	300	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, percent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

MC 250

Cutback Bitumen Medium-Curing-250 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties ∞	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties ∞	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°c ,cST	250	500	ASTM D2170
Flash point(tag open cup), °C	66	—	ASTM D3143
Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
Residue from distillation to 437°F (225°C) to 500°F (260°C) to 600°F (316°C) to 680°F (360°C), per cent volume by difference	—	20	ASTM D402
	5	55
	60	90
	67	—
Test on residue from distillation test
Viscosity at 140°F (60°C)	30	120	ASTM D2170
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	120	300	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, percent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

MC 800

Cutback Bitumen Medium-Curing-800 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°c ,cST	800	1600	ASTM D2170
Flash point(tag open cup), °C	66	—	ASTM D3143
∞ Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
Residue from distillation to 437°F (225°C) to 500°F (260°C) to 600°F (316°C) to 680°F (360°C), per cent volume by difference	—	—	ASTM D402
	—	40
	45	85
	75	—
Test on residue from distillation test
Viscosity at 140°F (60°C)	30	120	ASTM D2170
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	120	250	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, percent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

MC 3000

Cutback Bitumen Medium-Curing-3000 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
Properties	Min	Max	Test Method
Kinematic viscosity at 60°c ,cST	3000	6000	ASTM D2170
Flash point(tag open cup), °C	66	—	ASTM D3143
∞ Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
Residue from distillation to 437°F (225°C) to 500°F (260°C) to 600°F (316°C) to 680°F (360°C), per cent volume by difference	—	—	ASTM D402
	—	15
	15	75
	80	—
Test on residue from distillation test
Viscosity at 140°F (60°C)	30	120	ASTM D2170
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	120	300	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, percent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

RC

Cutback bitumen Rapid Curing, RC, is a petrochemical mixture of solvent as naphtha or gasoline and bitumen. RC grades are as come below:

RC 30

Cutback Bitumen Rapid-Curing-30 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties ∞	Specification Limit		Test Method
	Min	Max
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, cST	30	60	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (tag open cup), °C	—	—	ASTM D3143
Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
To 437°F (225°C) To 500°F (260°C) To 600°F (316°C) To 680°F (360°C)	55	—	ASTM D402
	75	—
	90	—
	50	—
Test on Residue from distillation test
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	80	120	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, per cent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

RC 70

Cutback Bitumen Rapid-Curing-70 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
	Min	Max
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, cST	70	140	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (tag open cup), °C	—	—	ASTM D3143
∞ Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
To 437°F (225°C) To 500°F (260°C) To 600°F (316°C) To 680°F (360°C)	50	—	ASTM D402
	70	—
	85	—
	55	—
Test on Residue from distillation test
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	80	120	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, per cent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

RC 250

Cutback Bitumen Rapid-Curing-250 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
	Min	Max
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, cST	250	500	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (tag open cup), °C	—	—	ASTM D3143
Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
To 437°F (225°C) To 500°F (260°C) To 600°F (316°C) To 680°F (360°C)	35	—	ASTM D402
	60	—
	80	—
	65	—
Test on Residue from distillation test∞
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	80	120	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, per cent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

RC 800

Cutback Bitumen Rapid-Curing-800 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
	Min	Max
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, cST	800	1600	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (tag open cup), °C	—	—	ASTM D3143
Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
To 437°F (225°C) To 500°F (260°C) To 600°F (316°C) To 680°F (360°C)	15	—	ASTM D402
	45	—
	75	—
	75	—
Test on Residue from distillation test∞
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	80	120	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, per cent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95

RC 3000

Cutback Bitumen Rapid-Curing-3000 of Infinity Galaxy Specifications
Properties	Specification Limit		Test Method
	Min	Max
Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, cST	3000	6000	ASTM D2170
Flashpoint (tag open cup), °C	—	—	ASTM D3143
Distillation test Distillate, volume per cent of total Distillate to 680°F (360°C)
To 437°F (225°C) To 500°F (260°C) To 600°F (316°C) To 680°F (360°C)	—	—	ASTM D402
	25	—
	70	—
	80	—
Test on Residue from distillation test∞
Penetration 77°F (25°C) 100g, 5s mm	80	120	ASTM D5
Ductility 77°F (25°C) 5cm/min cm	100	—	ASTM D113
Solubility in trichloroethylene %	99	—	ASTM D2042
Water, per cent volume	—	0.2	ASTM D95