What is bitumen 80/100 and how is it produced?

Asia Bitumen Factory

Bitumen 80/100 is a commonly used grade of bitumen, a sticky, black, and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid form of petroleum. The numbers 80/100 represent the penetration range in tenths of a millimeter at 25°C, indicating its consistency. It's often employed in road construction and waterproofing due to its desirable properties.

How is bitumen 80/100 produced?

Bitumen 80/100 is produced through a refining process involving crude oil. Here's a simplified overview of the production process:

Crude Oil Distillation:

The first step is to extract crude oil from underground reservoirs.

Crude oil is then sent through a distillation tower where it undergoes fractional distillation. This separates the crude oil into various components based on their boiling points.

Vacuum Distillation:

The heaviest fraction obtained from the distillation tower is sent through a vacuum distillation unit. This helps extract the heavier components with higher boiling points.

De-Asphalting:

The heaviest part of the vacuum-distilled product is often rich in asphaltene compounds. De-asphalting is a process to remove these asphaltenes, leaving behind bitumen.

Blending:

Bitumen from different sources or with different properties may be blended to achieve the desired characteristics. This is where specific grades like 80/100 are achieved by adjusting the blend.

Quality Control:

Rigorous quality control measures are applied to ensure that the final product meets industry specifications. This involves testing for properties like penetration, softening point, ductility, and others.

Packaging and Distribution:

Once the bitumen meets the required specifications, it is packaged into containers or transported in bulk for distribution to construction sites or other end-users.

It's essential to note that the production process might vary slightly among refineries, and additional treatments or modifications can be applied to tailor the bitumen for specific applications and markets.

Uses of bitumen 80/100

Bitumen 80/100 is widely used in various applications:

Road Construction: It is a key component in asphalt mixtures for road surfaces, providing durability and resistance to weathering.

Waterproofing: Used in the construction industry for waterproofing applications, such as sealing roofs, basements, and foundations.

Paving: Bitumen 80/100 is used for the paving of driveways, walkways, and other surfaces due to its adhesive and waterproofing properties.

Roofing: Commonly employed as a waterproofing material for flat roofs and as a bonding agent for roofing materials.

Coating and Sealing: Used as a protective coating for metals and other materials to enhance their resistance to corrosion and weathering.

Expansion Joints: Applied in construction joints to prevent water infiltration and provide flexibility to accommodate movements in structures.

Adhesive: Serves as an adhesive in various industries for bonding purposes.

Soundproofing: Due to its dense nature, bitumen is used in soundproofing materials for buildings and automotive applications.

Understanding the specific properties of Bitumen 80/100 allows its effective use in these diverse applications.

What is different between bitumen 60/70 with bitumen 80/100?

The main difference between bitumen 60/70 and bitumen 80/100 lies in their penetration grades, representing their consistency or hardness.

Penetration Grade:

Bitumen 60/70: It has a penetration range between 60 and 70 at 25°C, indicating that it is softer and more penetrable than bitumen 80/100.

Bitumen 80/100: This grade has a higher penetration range between 80 and 100 at 25°C, making it harder and less penetrable compared to bitumen 60/70.

Application Differences:

Bitumen 60/70: Suitable for areas with higher temperatures, making it often used in regions with warm climates. It's commonly employed in road construction and asphalt mixtures.

Bitumen 80/100: With a harder consistency, it is often used in colder climates or for applications where greater resistance to deformation and wear is required, such as in heavy traffic roadways.

Performance Characteristics:

Bitumen 60/70: Offers better flexibility at higher temperatures, making it suitable for areas with warmer weather conditions.

Bitumen 80/100: Provides better resistance to deformation and rutting at lower temperatures, making it suitable for colder climates.

In summary, the primary distinction lies in their penetration grades and the subsequent impact on their application suitability and performance characteristics in different climates and use cases.

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