top of page
bitumen-bg-001.png

ABOUT BITUMEN

OVERVIEW

Apex Gulf in collaboration with associate companies has a total of 6000 MT Bulk storage tanks in Hamriyah Free Zone, Sharjah for storing and distributing bitumen.

All penetration grade bitumen can be supplied in Bulk Vessel, Drums, Bitutainers and Road Tankers. We supply bitumen in new or reconditioned drums sourced from major refineries. Apex Gulf forecasts to supply more than 70000 MT bitumen annually to the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent in its first phase of operations.

Encompassing all classifications of Bitumen like Penetration Grade, Cutback Bitumen, Polymers-Modified Bitumen and Bitumen Emulsion, we boast about our ability to supply as per the request of our elite clients. Our major dealings are in Penetration Grade Bitumen like Grade 60/70 & Grade 80/100 and Viscocity Grades Like VG10 and VG30, as it is most demanded in the Indian subcontinent.

Bitumen, also known as asphalt in the United States, is a substance that forms through the distillation of crude oil. It has waterproofing and adhesive properties. Bitumen production through distillation removes lighter crude oil components, such as gasoline and diesel, leaving the heavier bitumen behind. The producer often refines it several times to improve its grade. Bitumen can also occur in nature. Deposits of naturally occurring bitumen form at the bottom of ancient lakes, where prehistoric organisms have since decayed and have been subjected to heat and pressure.

bitumen-road-001.png

Penetration-grade bitumen is mainly used in road surfacing. Bitumen with lower penetration grade is used in the regions with warm climate while higher penetration grade is used in colder weather. Penetration rate bitumen is graded based on penetration and softening point tests.

PENETRATION GRADES

Technical Analysis of Bitumen 40/50

Specifications
Test Result
Methods
Specific Gravity at 25 DFG C
1- 1.07
D-70
Penetration at 25 DFG C
40/50
D-5
Softening Point DFG C
52/58
D-36
Ductility at 25 DFG C (cms)
>100
D-113
Loss of Heating (PCT WT)
<0.2
D-6
Drop in Penetration after Heating (PCT)
<20%
D-6 & D-5
Flash Point DFG C
>232
D-92
Solubility in CS2 (PCT WT)
>99.5
D-4
Spot Test
Negative
A.S.H.O.T 102
Wax Content
<2.0

Technical Analysis of Bitumen 60/70

Specification
Test Result
Method
Specific Gravity at 25 DFG C
1- 1.06
D-70
Penetration at 25 DFG C
60/70
D-5
Softening Point DFG C
49/56
D-36
Ductility at 25 DFG C (cms)
>100
D-113
Loss of Heating (PCT WT)
<0.2
D-6
Drop in Penetration after Heating (PCT)
<20%
D-6 & D-5
Flash Point DFG C
>250
D-92
Solubility in CS2 (PCT WT)
>99.5
D-4
Spot Test
Negative
A.S.H.O.T 102
Wax Content
<2.0

Technical Analysis of Bitumen 80/100

Specification
Test Result
Method
Specific Gravity at 25 DFG C
1- 1.5
D-70
Penetration at 25 DFG C
80/100
D-5
Softening Point DFG C
45/52
D-36
Ductility at 25 DFG C (cms)
>100
D-113
Loss of Heating (PCT WT)
<0.5
D-6
Drop in Penetration after Heating (PCT)
<20%
D-6 & D-5
Flash Point DFG C
>225
D-92
Solubility in CS2 (PCT WT)
>99.5
D-4
Spot Test
Negative
A.S.H.O.T 102
Wax Content
<2.0

Cutback bitumen is used when there is limited access to heating equipment, bitumen decomposition in high temperature, bitumen cooling throughout working, workers safety, fire and time consuming.

CUTBACK BITUMEN

Cutback Bitumen Medium

Distillate test: Distillate, Volume% of total distillate to 360C
Specification
Min
Max
Method
Kinematic Viscocity at 60C mm2/s
70
140
ASTM D2170
Flash Point (Tag Opencup) C
38
-
ASTM D3143
To 225C
-
20
ASTM D402
To 260C
20
60
ASTM D402
To 316C
65
90
ASTM D402
Tests on Residue from Distillation
Viscocity at 60C
30
120
ASTM D2170
Penetration at 25C
120
250
ASTM D3143
Ductility at 25C
100
-
ASTM D402
Solubility in trichloroethylene %
99
-
ASTM D402
Water%
-
0.2
ASTM D402
Residue from Distillation at 360C, percentage volume by difference
55
ASTM D402

Cutback Bitumen Rapid

Distillate test: Distillate, Volume% of total distillate to 360C
Specification
Min
Max
Method
Kinematic Viscocity at 60C mm2/s
70
140
ASTM D2170
Flash Point (Tag Opencup) C
38
-
ASTM D3143
To 225C
50
-
ASTM D402
To 260C
70
60
ASTM D402
To 316C
85
90
ASTM D402
Residue from Distillation at 360C, percentage volume by difference
55
-
ASTM D402
Tests on Residue from Distillation
Viscocity at 60C
30
120
ASTM D2170
Penetration at 25C
80
120
ASTM D3143
Ductility at 25C
100
-
ASTM D402
Water %
-
0.2
ASTM D402

Oxidized Bitumen is produced by passing air through the penetration grades. This process gives the bitumen more rubbery properties than its original formula and they are simply harder bitumen.

OXIDIZED BITUMEN

Specification
Test Result
Method
Specific Gravity at 25 DFG C
1.05 approx
D-70
Penetration at 25 DFG C
20/30
D-5
Softening Point DFG C
80/90
D-36
Ductility at 25 DFG C (cms)
1.5 min
D-113
Loss of Heating (PCT WT)
0.2 min
D-6
Flash Point DFG C
260 min
D-92
Solubility in CS2 (PCT WT)
99 min
D-4

Barreling, this method of bitumen packaging is very common. The barrel is made of cold-rolled steel. In order to protect the barrel against corrosion, it is coated with rustproof black painting.

PACKAGING

New Steel Drum Specification 180kg

Specification
Size/Weight
Color
Furnace Black
Diameter
50 +/- 2cm
Height
100cm
Empty Drum Weight
9.5 +/- 0.2kg
Net Filling Capacity
182.5 +/- 2.5kgs
Lid Hole Diameter
20cm
Lid Hole Position
Center
Plate Thickness (Top and Bottom)
0.6mm
Plate Thickness (Body)
0.6mm

VISCOCITY GRADE (VG)

Bitumen is graded based on absolute viscosity at 60 ºC or kinematic viscosity at 135ºC. The SI physical unit of dynamic viscosity is Poise and kinematic viscosity is expressed in Centi Stokes. Viscosity Grade Bitumen is widely used in spraying applications such as surface dressing and paving in very cold climate. It is also used to manufacture Bitumen emulsion and Modified Bitumen products.

Viscosity Grade VG - 10

Specification
Test Result
Unit
Absolute Viscocity 60C Min
800
Poise
Kinematic Viscocity 135C MIN
250
cSt
Flash Point MIN
220
*C
Softening Point MIN
40
*C
Penetration 0.1 MIN 25C
80-100
Dmm
Ductility on MIN 25C
75
Cm
Viscocity Ratio 60C MAX
4
Solubility in TCE MIN
99
%

Viscosity Grade VG - 20

Specification
Test Result
Unit
Absolute Viscocity 60C Min
1000
Poise
Kinematic Viscocity 135C MIN
100
cSt
Flash Point MIN
220
*C
Softening Point MIN
45
*C
Penetration 0.1 MIN 25C
60-80
Dmm
Ductility on MIN 25C
50
Cm
Viscocity Ratio 60C MAX
4
Solubility in TCE MIN
99
%

Viscosity Grade VG - 30

Specification
Test Result
Unit
Absolute Viscocity 60C Min
2400
Poise
Kinematic Viscocity 135C MIN
350
cSt
Flash Point MIN
220
*C
Softening Point MIN
47
*C
Penetration 0.1 MIN 25C
50-70
Dmm
Ductility on MIN 25C
40
Cm
Viscocity Ratio 60C MAX
4
Solubility in TCE MIN
99
%

Viscosity Grade VG - 40

Specification
Test Result
Unit
Absolute Viscocity 60C Min
3200
Poise
Kinematic Viscocity 135C MIN
400
cSt
Flash Point MIN
220
*C
Softening Point MIN
50
*C
Penetration 0.1 MIN 25C
40-60
Dmm
Ductility on MIN 25C
25
Cm
Viscocity Ratio 60C MAX
4
Solubility in TCE MIN
99
%
bottom of page