Bitumen properties

1.Hardness.
determined by penitration test which classify it into
grades whether it is 80/100,100/120,or 60/70. The grades
with penetrations greater than 40 are mostly used in road
construction and occasionally in industrial applications.
The grades with penetrations less than 40 are used
exclusively in industrial applications.in hot climate lower
grades such as 60/70 is used.
2.Softening point
It is the temperature at which bitumen changes its state
from semi solid to semi liquid .softening point test is
caries out by ring or ball method.this property make us to
know whether given bitumen can be used at the perticular
place i.e softening point value should be higher than
pavement temperature otherwise bitumen present in the
layer get soften and come out.
3.Ductility
It is the distance at which the film formed when a
standard sample of bitumen in a briquette mould trenched
at the constant rate of pulling, breaks.Presence of ductility
means the formation of the film and coating would be
proper.
4.Viscosity
It is resistance to flow or inverse of fluidity.at low or high
viscosity of bitumen coating of binder around aggregates
will not be proper.

5. Flash and fire point

Flash point : temp at which bitumen catches fire
Fire point : temp at which bitumen completely burns.
These are to know up to which temp bitumen can be
heated up in the field.

6.Specific Gravity
As with colour, specific gravity has no relation to burning
quality, but it is a useful aid for quantity reckoning and
identity.
7.Durability
Bitumen durability refers to the long-term resistance to
oxidative hardening of the
material in the field. Although, in-service, all bitumens
harden with time through reaction
with oxygen in the air, excessive rates of hardening (poor
durability) can lead to premature binder embrittlement
and surfacing failure resulting in cracking and chip loss

8.

SPECIFICATION OF BITUMEN
Sr.No. Characteristics 80/100 60/70 30/40 10/20

1 Specific Gravity at 27 0C min 0.98 0.99 0.99 1.00-1.05

2 Water percent by wt.max 0.2 0.2 0.2 -

3 Flash point, 0C 175 175 175 225

4 Softening point 0C 35-50 40-55 50-65 65-80

5 Penetration at 25 0C, 100 g 5 80-100 60-70 30-40 10-20

sec in 1/100 cm

6 Ductility at 27 0C, in cm. min 75 75 50 2.5

7 Loss on heating, percentage by 1 1 1 0.10

wt.Max

8 Penetration of residue 60 60 60 -

9 Percent by wt. soluble in carbon 99 99 99 99

di- sulphide, min