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The penetration grading system was developed in the early 1900s to characterize the consistency of semi-solid asphalts. Penetration grading
quantifies the following asphalt concrete characteristics:
Pentration Grade Bitumen is Bitumen classified using the penetration property. Penetration gradings basic assumption is that the less viscous the
asphalt, the deeper the needle will penetrate. Bitumen which is produced during the process of oxidation of vacuum bottom (the Bitumen
production feedstock that derives from distillation tower residue in vacuum oil refineries) at bitumen production unit in a manner that its
penetration point (kind of test to indicate the hardness of bitumen) in specified group is classified in different grade of Bitumen.
Penetration Grade Bitumen is commonly used in road surfacing, and some industrial applications. Additional processing yields other grades of
bitumen products and their application.
Penetration grading key advantages and disadvantages are listed as below
Advantages

Disadvantages

The test is done at 25 C (77 F), which is reasonably close to a typical

pavement average temperature.

The test is empirical and does not measure any fundamental

engineering parameter such as viscosity.

May also provide a better correlation with low-temperature asphalt

binder properties than the viscosity test, which is performed at 60 C
(140 F).

Shear rate is variable and high during the test. Since asphalt
binders typically behave as a non-Newtonian fluid at 25 C (77 F),
this will affect test results.

Temperature susceptibility (the change in asphalt binder rheology with

temperature) can be determined by conducting the test at temperatures
other than 25 C (77 F).

Temperature susceptibility (the change in asphalt binder rheology

with temperature) cannot be determined by a single test at 25 C
(77 F).

The test is quick and inexpensive. Therefore, it can easily be used in the
field.

The test does not provide information with which to establish

mixing and compaction temperatures.

Penetration grades are listed as a range of penetration units (one penetration unit = 0.1 mm) such as 120 150. Penetration grades specified in
AASHTO M 20 and ASTM D 946 are listed in below table
Penetration Grade

Comments

40 50

Hardest grade.

60 70

Typical grades used in the U.S.

85 100
120 150
200 300

Softest grade. Used for cold climates such as northern Canada

Penetration G rade Bitum en Specication (AASH TO M 20 and ASTM D 946)

Units

40/50

60/70

80/100

100/120

Test Methods

Specific Gravity @25C

1.01-1.06

1.01-1.06

1.01-1.05

1.01-1.04

ASTM D-70

Penetration @25C, 100gm, 5sec

0.1MM

40-50

60-70

80-100

100-120

ASTM D-5

Softening Point, Ring & Ball

52-60

49-56

45-52

42-49

ASTM D-36

Ductility @25C, after TFOT, Min

CM

100

100

100

100

ASTM D-113

Loss on Heating, Max

%Wt

0.2

0.2

0.5

0.5

ASTM D-6

Drop in Penetration after Heating, Max

20.0

20.0

20.0

20.0

ASTM D-6 & D-5

Flash Point Cleveland open cup, Min

250.0

250.0

232.0

250.0

ASTM D-92

Solubility in CS2, Min

%Wt

99.5

99.5

99.5

99.5

ASTM D-4

Organic Matter Insoluble in CS2, Max

%Wt

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

ASTM D-4

Sport Test

Negative

Negative

Negative

Negative

*A.A.S.H.O.T.102

Click to view the product datasheet

*Am erican association ofstate highw ay offi cials

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Bitum en Specication European Standard (BS EN 12591)

Units

35-50

40-60

50-70

70-100

100-150

Test Methods

Penetration @25C, 100gm, 5sec

0.1MM

35-50

40-60

50-70

70-100

100-150

EN 1426

Softening Point, Ring & Ball

50-58

48-56

46-54

43-51

39-47

EN 1427

- Change in mass, Max

%Wt

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.8

0.8

EN 12607-1

- Retained Penetration, Min

0.1MM

53

50

50

46

43

- Softening point after hardinging, Min

52

49

48

45

41

Flash Point Cleveland open cup, Min

240

230

230

230

230

Solubility in CS2, Min

%Wt

99.0

99.0

99.0

99.0

99.0

EN 12592

Kinematic Viscocity @135C, Min

mm2/S

370

325

295

230

175

EN 12595

Resistace to Hardening@163C

Other Properties

Click to view the product datasheet

EN ISO 2592


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