Penetration Grade Bitumen

Bitumen is classified by the depth to which a standard needle will penetrate under specified test conditions.

This "pen" test classification is used to indicate the hardness of bitumen, tower penetration indlcatlnq harder bitumen.

Specifications for penetration graded bitumen's normally state the penetration range for a grade, e.g. 50/70.

Other tests are used to classify the bitumen for specification purposes, such as softening point, solubility, flash point etc.

GRADES BITUMEN STANDARD
PROPERTY 40/50 60/70 80/100 85/100 120/150 200/300 ASTM
Penetration @ 250C, for 5 Sec 40/50 60/70 80/100 85/100 120/150 200/300 D-5
Flash Point 0F 450 450 450 450 450 350 D-92
Ductillity @ 25 (0C) -cm/min 100 100 100 100 100 100 D-113
Solubility in Trichloroethylene 99 99 99 99 99 99 D-2042
Retained penetration after thin film oven test 55+ 52+ 47+ 47+ 42+ 37+ D-175
Ductility @ 25 (0C) -cm/min after thin oven test - 50 75 75 100 100 D-113
Package   1000 kg/500 kg Metable Jumbo bags loaded in Containers.