What is Bitumen 10/20?
Bitumen 10/20 is a penetration-grade bitumen with a value of penetration from 10 to 20 (0.1 mm) at 25°C. It is a medium-soft pavement bitumen primarily used in road construction. It is famous for its excellent adhesion, water resistance, and toughness. Bitumen 10/20 is a reliable binder for hot mix asphalt (HMA) and other infrastructure applications.
Principal Characteristics of Bitumen 10/20
Penetration Value: 10–20 (0.1 mm at 25°C)
Softening Point: 58–66°C
Form: Semi-solid, viscous black or dark brown material
Source: Produced through the fractional distillation of crude oil and mild air blowing of vacuum bottom residue
Main Applications
1. Road Construction
Bitumen 10/20 is also widely used in road and highway construction. Its adhesive properties make it a suitable binder when included in asphalt mixtures, which helps in gluing aggregates together as well as forming a hard and weather-resistant pavement surface. This grade is particularly ideal for base and binder courses in flexible pavements, especially for use in medium climates, where it provides resistance to deformation and cracking.
2. Production of Hot Mix Asphalt
This product is a significant one in the production of hot mix asphalt (HMA). The relatively low penetration and viscosity of Bitumen 10/20 make it a suitable coat for aggregates and create a resistant mixture that can withstand medium to heavy traffic conditions. It increases load-carrying capacity, evenness of the surface, and durability of the road over long periods of time.
3. Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) Production
Bitumen 10/20 is used as raw material for producing Polymer Modified Bitumen, and it is used in specialized road constructions. Blending polymers and bitumen, the resulting PMB increases elasticity, fatigue resistance, and heat stability, making it ideal for severe or high-stress environments.
4. Surface Treatments and Chip Sealing
In spray or chip sealing treatments, Bitumen 10/20 can be employed as a tack coat or binder layer to cement aggregates. These treatments are cost-effective maintenance systems that extend pavement life by improving surface traction, sealing small cracks, and preventing water entry.
5. Specialty Applications in Mild Climates
Owing to its special performance characteristics, Bitumen 10/20 is best suited for use in temperate climate conditions in road construction. Its balanced softness and stability of best performance is achieved in climatic conditions where temperature stresses are moderate and thermal cracking or rutting conditions are mild.
Health and Safety Guidelines
For safe handling of Bitumen 10/20:
Wear protective equipment: gloves, goggles, long sleeves
Ensure good ventilation when heating
Avoid open flames
Maintain proper temperature for storage to prevent degradation and ensure workability
Environmental and Logistical Considerations
This sub-section discusses the environmental impact and handling concerns with respect to Bitumen 10/20. Environmentally, bitumen production and consumption emit volatile organic vapors (VOCs) and particulates that affect air quality and pose health risks.
Transport is hindered by the temperature sensitivity of bitumen, with high chances of thickening or hardening in cold temperatures through extensive energy use. Spills on land or water bodies result from poor handling. For storage, Bitumen 10/20 needs to be stored under hot temperatures to allow it to remain valuable, increasing energy consumption and costs. The plants need to stay free from contamination and aging over time in a bid to generate consistent product quality.
Packaging Options
1 MT Jumbo Bag with Steel Cage and Pallet
Capacity: 1 metric ton
Container Load: 20 MT in a 20 ft container
1 MT Jumbo Bag without Cage and Pallet
Capacity: 1 metric ton
Container Load: 20 MT in a 40 ft container
1300 kg Jumbo Bag
Capacity: 1.3 metric tons
Container Load: 26 MT in a 40 ft container
180 kg New Steel Drum
Capacity: 180 kg per drum
Load: 110 drums in a 20 ft container
375 kg Bitubag
Capacity: 375 kg
Container Load: 24 MT in a 20 ft container
Bulk in Vessel
Capacity: 2,000 to 20,000 MT
Transported by bitumen carrier vessel
Bulk in Flexi Bag
Capacity: 20 MT
Loaded in bitumen Flexi Containers
Bulk in Tanker Truck
Capacity: 25 MT
Ideal for overland transport and regional delivery
Conclusion
Bitumen 10/20 is a dependable, high-performance flexible pavement bitumen binder with the right viscosity, penetration, and elasticity. For highways, urban roads, or industrial surfacing, it remains an essential ingredient of infrastructure today.
Specification of Bitumen Grade 10/20
| Bitumen 10/20 | Test method | Unit | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific gravity @ 25°c | ASTM D70 | Kg/cm3 | 1.01/1.06 |
| Penetration @ 25°c | ASTM D5 | Mm/10 | 10/20 |
| Softening point °c | ASTM D36 | °C | 58/66 |
| Ductility @25 °c | ASTM D113 | Cm | 100 min |
| Loss on heating(wt) % | ASTM D6 | wt % | 0.2 max |
| Drop in penetration after heating % | ASTM D5-D6 | % | 20 max |
| Flashpoint c | ASTM D92 | °C | 250 min |
| Solubility is CS2(wt) % | ASTM D4 | wt % | 99.5 max |
| Spot test | A.a.s.h.o.t102 | ----- | Negative |
