Bitumen Performance Grade is a type of bitumen which is graded according to its performance at different alternating temperatures. There is a tendency to divide PG grade into two divisions of high-temperature and low-temperature pavement services. Here comes the major issue for high-temperature performance which is rutting, that normally takes a while to amass. Thus, the temperature is measured within a week and the highest is considered to be the high climatic temperature. On the other side, there is a possibility for thermal cracking at low temperature. For both high and low temperature, PG grades are graded in 6 c rise. The average seven-day maximum pavement temperature typically changes from 46 c to 82 c and the minimum pavement temperature changes from -46 c to -10 c. For instance, bitumen PG 64-10 meets performance factor at an average seven-day maximum pavement temperature of 64 c also at a minimum pavement temperature of -10c.
Mind the point that maximum pavement temperature is usually higher than the air temperature by about 20c because the dark color of pavement absorbs the heat and keep it. As PG grades are mainly divided into Modified and Unmodified bitumen types, keep in mind the following hint which helps to differentiate the mentioned types. To distinguish the modified from unmodified bitumen, we add both low and high-temperature grades together. If the sum is greater than 90, the substance is likely to be a polymer modified binder. As an example, a PG 76-22 is considered as a polymer-modified binder since the sum is 98. Another example, a PG 64-10 is an unmodified binder.
PG grades generally are mostly applied in paving constructions and reconstructions, sealing of edges, crack sealing, spray applications for bridge deck and in both dense-graded and open-graded Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). PG grades which are well-structured against thermal cracking are PG 58-34, PG 64-22, PG 64-28 and PG 76-22. PG grades which are resistant to rutting are PG 70-22, PG 70-28, PG 76-28 and PG 82-22.
PG 58-28 is specifically used in very cold regions.
| Performance Grade | PG 52 | PG 58 | PG 64 | PG 70 | PG 76 | Test Method | ||||||||||||
| 10 | 16 | 22 | 10 | 16 | 22 | 10 | 16 | 22 | 10 | 16 | 10 | |||||||
| Average 7 day maximum pavement design temperature, c | 52 | 58 | 64 | ≤70 | ≤76 | |||||||||||||
| Minimum pavement design temperature, c | ≥10 | ≥16 | ≥22 | ≥10 | ≥16 | ≥22 | ≥10 | ≥16 | ≥22 | ≥10 | ≥16 | ≥10 | ||||||
| Original Binder | ||||||||||||||||||
| Flash point temperature, minimum, c | 230 | AASHTO T48 | ||||||||||||||||
| Viscosity maximum 3 Pa.s , test temperature, c | 135 | AASHTO T316 | ||||||||||||||||
| Dynamic shear G/Sin o Minimum 1 KPa test temperature, c | 52 | 58 | 64 | 70 | 76 | AASHTO T315 | ||||||||||||
| Rolling Thin Film Oven Test | AASHTO T214 | |||||||||||||||||
| Mass change maximum percent | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||
| Dynamic shear G/Sin o Minimum 2.2 KPa test temperature, @ 10 rad/s c | 52 | 58 | 64 | 70 | 76 | AASHTO T315 | ||||||||||||
| Pressure Aging Vessel | AASHTO R28 | |||||||||||||||||
| PAV aging temperature , c | 90 | 100 | 100 | 100(110) | 100(110) | |||||||||||||
| Dynamic shear G/Sin o Minimum 5000 KPa test temperature @ 10 rad/s c | 25 | 22 | 19 | 28 | 25 | 22 | 31 | 28 | 25 | 34 | 31 | 37 | AASHTO T315 | |||||
| Creep stiffness S maximum 300 Mpa
m-value minimum 0.300 Test temperature @ 60s c |
0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | 0 | AASHTO T313 | |||||
| Direct tension
Failure strain minimum 1% Test temperature @ 1mm/min , c |
0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | 0 | AASHTO T 314 | |||||
| Critical low cracking temperature
Critical cracking determined by PP42 Test temperature |
0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | -12 | 0 | -6 | 0 | AASHTO PP42 | |||||
Bitumen Performance grade 46/22
| Bitumen PG 46/22 Superpave Performance Grade | |||
| SPECIFICATION | UNIT | VALUE | METHOD |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 | ASTM D6373 |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | – 34 | ASTM D6373 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | Degree Celsius (°C) | 230 min | ASTM D92 |
| Rotational Viscosity, 135°C | Pascal Second (Pa.s) | 3 max | ASTM D4402 |
| Dynamic Shear, 70°C | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 min | ASTM D6373 |
| Mass Loss | Weight Percentage (WT %) | 1 max | ASTM D6 |
| Creep Stiffness | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6648 |
| Direct Tension | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6723 |
| Absolute Viscosity, 60°C | Poise (P) | 295 | ASTM D4402 |
| Penetration, 25°C | 1/10 Millimetres (mm) | 300 | ASTM D5 |
| Specific Gravity | Kilogram per Cubic Meter (kg/m³) | 1.026 min | ASTM D70 |
| APPLICATION TEMPERATURE | |||
| APPLICATION | UNIT | RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE | |
| Storage Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 50-163 | |
| Spraying Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 177 max | |
Bitumen Performance grade 52/28
| Bitumen PG 52-28 Superpave Performance Grade | |||
| SPECIFICATION | UNIT | VALUE | METHOD |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 | ASTM D6373 |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | – 34 | ASTM D6373 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | Degree Celsius (°C) | 230 min | ASTM D92 |
| Rotational Viscosity, 135°C | Pascal Second (Pa.s) | 3 max | ASTM D4402 |
| Dynamic Shear, 70°C | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 min | ASTM D6373 |
| Mass Loss | Weight Percentage (WT %) | 1 max | ASTM D6 |
| Creep Stiffness | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6648 |
| Direct Tension | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6723 |
| Absolute Viscosity, 60°C | Poise (P) | 295 | ASTM D4402 |
| Penetration, 25°C | 1/10 Millimetres (mm) | 300 | ASTM D5 |
| Specific Gravity | Kilogram per Cubic Meter (kg/m³) | 1.026 min | ASTM D70 |
| APPLICATION TEMPERATURE | |||
| APPLICATION | UNIT | RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE | |
| Storage Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 50-163 | |
| Spraying Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 177 max | |
Bitumen Performance grade 58/16
| Bitumen PG 58/16 Superpave Performance Grade | |||
| SPECIFICATION | UNIT | VALUE | METHOD |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 | ASTM D6373 |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | – 34 | ASTM D6373 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | Degree Celsius (°C) | 230 min | ASTM D92 |
| Rotational Viscosity, 135°C | Pascal Second (Pa.s) | 3 max | ASTM D4402 |
| Dynamic Shear, 70°C | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 min | ASTM D6373 |
| Mass Loss | Weight Percentage (WT %) | 1 max | ASTM D6 |
| Creep Stiffness | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6648 |
| Direct Tension | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6723 |
| Absolute Viscosity, 60°C | Poise (P) | 295 | ASTM D4402 |
| Penetration, 25°C | 1/10 Millimetres (mm) | 300 | ASTM D5 |
| Specific Gravity | Kilogram per Cubic Meter (kg/m³) | 1.026 min | ASTM D70 |
| APPLICATION TEMPERATURE | |||
| APPLICATION | UNIT | RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE | |
| Storage Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 50-163 | |
| Spraying Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 177 max | |
Bitumen Performance grade 64/22
| Bitumen PG 64/22 Superpave Performance Grade | |||
| SPECIFICATION | UNIT | VALUE | METHOD |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 | ASTM D6373 |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | – 34 | ASTM D6373 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | Degree Celsius (°C) | 230 min | ASTM D92 |
| Rotational Viscosity, 135°C | Pascal Second (Pa.s) | 3 max | ASTM D4402 |
| Dynamic Shear, 70°C | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 min | ASTM D6373 |
| Mass Loss | Weight Percentage (WT %) | 1 max | ASTM D6 |
| Creep Stiffness | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6648 |
| Direct Tension | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6723 |
| Absolute Viscosity, 60°C | Poise (P) | 295 | ASTM D4402 |
| Penetration, 25°C | 1/10 Millimetres (mm) | 300 | ASTM D5 |
| Specific Gravity | Kilogram per Cubic Meter (kg/m³) | 1.026 min | ASTM D70 |
| APPLICATION TEMPERATURE | |||
| APPLICATION | UNIT | RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE | |
| Storage Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 50-163 | |
| Spraying Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 177 max | |
Bitumen Performance grade 70/10
| Bitumen PG 70/10 Superpave Performance Grade | |||
| SPECIFICATION | UNIT | VALUE | METHOD |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 | ASTM D6373 |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | – 34 | ASTM D6373 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | Degree Celsius (°C) | 230 min | ASTM D92 |
| Rotational Viscosity, 135°C | Pascal Second (Pa.s) | 3 max | ASTM D4402 |
| Dynamic Shear, 70°C | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 min | ASTM D6373 |
| Mass Loss | Weight Percentage (WT %) | 1 max | ASTM D6 |
| Creep Stiffness | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6648 |
| Direct Tension | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6723 |
| Absolute Viscosity, 60°C | Poise (P) | 295 | ASTM D4402 |
| Penetration, 25°C | 1/10 Millimetres (mm) | 300 | ASTM D5 |
| Specific Gravity | Kilogram per Cubic Meter (kg/m³) | 1.026 min | ASTM D70 |
| APPLICATION TEMPERATURE | |||
| APPLICATION | UNIT | RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE | |
| Storage Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 50-163 | |
| Spraying Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 177 max | |
Bitumen Performance grade 76/10
| Bitumen PG 76/10 Superpave Performance Grade | |||
| SPECIFICATION | UNIT | VALUE | METHOD |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 | ASTM D6373 |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | – 34 | ASTM D6373 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | Degree Celsius (°C) | 230 min | ASTM D92 |
| Rotational Viscosity, 135°C | Pascal Second (Pa.s) | 3 max | ASTM D4402 |
| Dynamic Shear, 70°C | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 min | ASTM D6373 |
| Mass Loss | Weight Percentage (WT %) | 1 max | ASTM D6 |
| Creep Stiffness | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6648 |
| Direct Tension | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6723 |
| Absolute Viscosity, 60°C | Poise (P) | 295 | ASTM D4402 |
| Penetration, 25°C | 1/10 Millimetres (mm) | 300 | ASTM D5 |
| Specific Gravity | Kilogram per Cubic Meter (kg/m³) | 1.026 min | ASTM D70 |
| APPLICATION TEMPERATURE | |||
| APPLICATION | UNIT | RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE | |
| Storage Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 50-163 | |
| Spraying Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 177 max | |
Bitumen Performance grade 82/10
| Bitumen PG 82/10 Superpave Performance Grade | |||
| SPECIFICATION | UNIT | VALUE | METHOD |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 | ASTM D6373 |
| Maximum Pavement Design Temp. | Degree Celsius (°C) | – 34 | ASTM D6373 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | Degree Celsius (°C) | 230 min | ASTM D92 |
| Rotational Viscosity, 135°C | Pascal Second (Pa.s) | 3 max | ASTM D4402 |
| Dynamic Shear, 70°C | Degree Celsius (°C) | 46 min | ASTM D6373 |
| Mass Loss | Weight Percentage (WT %) | 1 max | ASTM D6 |
| Creep Stiffness | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6648 |
| Direct Tension | Degree Celsius (°C) | -24 | ASTM D6723 |
| Absolute Viscosity, 60°C | Poise (P) | 295 | ASTM D4402 |
| Penetration, 25°C | 1/10 Millimetres (mm) | 300 | ASTM D5 |
| Specific Gravity | Kilogram per Cubic Meter (kg/m³) | 1.026 min | ASTM D70 |
| APPLICATION TEMPERATURE | |||
| APPLICATION | UNIT | RECOMMENDED TEMPERATURE | |
| Storage Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 50-163 | |
| Spraying Temperature | Degree Celsius (°C) | 177 max | |