PG Bitumen 70-16

With rising infrastructure demands in regions of extreme heat, the choice of the right asphalt binder is important to ensure durable, high-performance roads. One such binder is PG Bitumen 70-16, which meets the needs of hot weather conditions. Developed using the Super pave Performance Grade (PG) system, PG 70-16 is designed with the ability to resist intense heat as well as have enough flexibility at relatively low temperatures.

This article explores the main features, applications, and advantages of PG 70-16 and why it is increasingly used in hot-climate road construction works.

What is PG 70-16?

The PG (Performance Grade) system categorizes bitumen based on its performance at a given climatic condition. In PG 70-16, the numbers indicate:

70°C : Maximum pavement temperature that the binder can resist without deforming.

-16°C : Minimum pavement temperature that it can resist without cracking.

This renders PG 70-16 especially suited to extremely hot climates where pavement surface temperatures rise above 65–70°C, such as in areas of the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia, and the southern United States.

The modification increases rut resistance, enhances elastic recovery, and offers higher overall durability, especially under heavy traffic loads and persistent sun exposure.

Why Is PG Bitumen 70-16 in Demand?

PG Bitumen 70-16 is gaining popularity in hot-climate countries due to its ability to resist serious thermal stress without deforming. Where ordinary asphalt would become soft or flow during hot weather, PG 70-16 provides improved rutting resistance. That makes it an excellent choice for application where sunlight is intense and summers are long.

Besides, the binder’s flexibility at -16°C provides workability during lower night-time temperatures or during seasonal transition—giving it a balanced performance spectrum. With its polymer-modified design, PG Bitumen 70-16 provides higher resilience, longer pavement life, and lower maintenance. Infrastructure designers and engineers looking for durable solutions to challenging environments, PG 70-16 provides assurance and return on investment.

Uses of PG Bitumen 70-16

PG 70-16 is widely used in:

Warm climate highways and expressways

Airport runways and taxiways

Congested urban streets and intercity highways

Industrial zones and logistics parks

Asphalt overlays in which rutting has developed

Bridge decks and dynamically loaded surface exposed to solar radiation

The binder is specially adapted for use in those applications requiring long-term performance, low deformation, and reduced cracking.

Storage & Handling Best Practices

Proper storage and handling are essential for PG 70-16 performance:

Storage temperature: Store between 160–175°C

Mixing temperature: 155–170°C

Avoid long-term overheating (more than 180°C)

Utilize insulated pipelines and tanks to prevent heat loss

Gently agitate to keep the polymer modifiers well distributed

Even handling preserves the elasticity of the binder and prevents premature separation or aging.

Conclusion

For heavily trafficked locations exposed to extreme heat and severe loading, PG Bitumen 70-16 is a smart, high-performance option. It offers unmatched rutting and softening resistance and adequate flexibility to resist cracking in cold conditions. Its polymer-rich composition makes it highly resistant to abrasion and deterioration, allowing infrastructure construction to attain enhanced life-cycle performance at reduced long-term expense.

Regardless of whether you’re building highways in the desert, resurfacing airport runways, or repairing industrial roads with heavy shipping freight, PG 70-16 gives you the strength, stability, and performance you need in hot weather.

Specification