Penetration grade bitumen 20/30 is a hard paving-grade bitumen with low penetration and high softening point, ideal for heavy-duty asphalt mixes (base layers, wearing courses) and infrastructure under heavy load or high temperatures.
Bitumen 20/30
Description
Bitumen 20/30 is a penetration-grade paving bitumen commonly used in road construction and heavy duty asphalt works.
What is the 20/30 means
It refers to the penetration value: 20–30 (0.1 mm) at 25 °C
Lower penetration = harder bitumen
Key characteristics
Very hard grade compared to 60/70 or 80/100
High softening point
Good resistance to deformation (rutting)
Performs well under heavy traffic loads and hot climates
Applications
Highways and expressways
Heavy-duty pavements
Airport runways
Industrial roads and yards
Asphalt concrete where high stiffness is required
Comparison with other Bitumen grades:
20/30: very hard, heavy traffic
40/50: medium-hard
60/70: most common for general road paving
80/100: softer, cooler climates
Technical specification for Bitumen 20/30 (Penetration Grade) as defined by European International standards (EN 12591 and ASTM/D) the most widely referenced criteria used by producers and specifiers worldwide.
Bitumen 20/30 Specifications
| Property | Test Method | Unit | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25 °C (100 g, 5 s) | EN 1426 / ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 20 – 30 |
| Softening Point (Ring & Ball) | EN 1427 / ASTM D36 | °C | 55 – 63 |
| Kinematic Viscosity at 135 °C | EN 12595 | mm²/s | ≥ 530 |
| Dynamic Viscosity at 60 °C | EN 12596 | Pa·s | ≥ 440 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | EN ISO 2592 / ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 240–250 |
| Solubility in CS₂ / TCE | EN 12592 / ASTM D2042 | % | ≥ 99.0 – 99.5 |
| Ductility at 25 °C | EN 13398 / ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 100 cm |
| Loss on Heating | ASTM D6 | % | ≤ 0.2 |
| Spot Test | AASHTO T102 | – | Negative |
| Specific Gravity @ 25 °C | ASTM D70 | – | ~1.01 – 1.06 |
Short term Aging and Hardening Performance
These tests evaluate how the binder behaves when heated (RTFOT – Rolling Thin Film Oven Test):
| Test | Test Method | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Change in mass (RTFOT) | EN 12607-1 | ≤ 0.5% |
| Retained Penetration (after RTFOT) | EN 1426 | ≥ 55% of original |
| Increase in Softening Point (after RTFOT) | EN 1427 | ≤ 8 °C |
Working Temperatures
Storage/Heating: up to ~170–185 °C
Mixing: ~150–170 °C
Paving/Application: ~130–150 °C
Performance Traits
Hard, low penetration binder: high stiffness
High softening point: resistance to rutting in hot climates
High viscosity: strong aggregate adhesion
Excellent solubility & low losses: quality assurance
These features make 20/30 suitable for highways, heavy load pavements, airport runways, industrial areas, and heavy traffic road layers.
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