Bitumen Emulsions

Bitumen emulsions are usually dispersions of minute droplets of bitumen in water and are examples of oil-in-water emulsions.

The bitumen content can be varied to suit different requirements and is typically between 30% and 70%. The primary objective of emulsifying bitumen is to obtain a product that can be used without the heating normally required when using cutbacks and paving grade bitumen.

In the manufacture of bitumen emulsions, hot bitumen is sheared rapidly in water containing an emulsifying chemical (emulsifier). This produces very small particles of bitumen (the dispersed phase) dispersed in water (the continuous phase). The bitumen particles are stabilized in suspension and do not readily coalesce due to the presence of the emulsifier, which is concentrated on the surface of the bitumen particles.

During application, the water in a bitumen emulsion is either lost by evaporation, or it may separate from the bitumen because of the chemical nature of the surface to which the emulsion is applied. This process is referred to as breaking. Because bitumen has a density only slightly higher than water, sedimentation of the bitumen droplets in an emulsion during storage is very slow. Emulsions can usually be regenerated after long storage times by gentle stirring to re-disperse the bitumen droplets.

Types of Bitumen Emulsions

Bitumen emulsions are available in many different forms, either cationic or anionic, with varying breaking or setting rates and binder types and contents.

The two most common basic emulsion types are designated by the letter 'C' for cationic emulsions, as in CRS (cationic rapid setting), and by the letter 'A' in anionic emulsions, as in ASS (anionic slow setting).

Cationic Bitumen Emulsion

When the emulsion is being produced the cations are adsorbed by bitumen droplets, negatively ions remain in the water. The undeniably most complete field of use is represented by the rapid setting emulsions.

Anionic Bitumen Emulsion

Most often, fatty acid and resin acid alkaline salts are used. They are obtained by saponification of the liquid resin, called Tall-Oil. This substance is a residual, distilled substance, a by-product of the paper pulp industry from resinous wood treated using the “sulfate” process.

The Co2Na group is the hydrophilic polar part. When in a solution in the continuous aqueous phase, the soap molecules become ionized; the Na (or K) ions are the cations adsorbed by the water and the rest of the molecules are the anions adsorbed by the bitumen globules.

The characteristics of an emulsion are designated by the terms rapid (R), medium (M) and slow (S).

The main grades for bitumen emulsions are classified as follows:

Cationic Emulsified Bitumen Specification (AASHTO M208, ASTM D2397)


Type

Rapid-Setting

Medium-Setting

Slow-Setting

 

Grade

CRS-1

CRS-2

CMS-2

CSS-1

CSS-1h

 

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Test on emulsions:

 

Viscosity, SayboltFurol at 25°C SFS

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

100

20

100

Viscosity, Say bolt Furol at 50°C

20

100

100

400

50

450

 

 

 

 

Storage stability test, 24-h, %B

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

1

Demulsibility, 35 mL, 0.8% dioctyl sodium 

40

...

40

...

 

 

 

 

 

 

sulfosuccinate, %

Coating ability and water resistance:

 

Coating, dry aggregate 

 

 

 

 

good 

 

 

 

 

Coating, after spraying 

fair 

Coating, wet aggregate

fair

Coating, after spraying

 

 

 

 

fair

 

 

 

 

Particle charge test

positive

positive

positive

positive

Positive

 

Sieve test,%B

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

0.1

Cement mixing test,%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

2

Distillation:

 

Oil distillate, by volume of emulsion,%

 

3

 

3

 

12

 

 

 

 

Residue,%

60

 

65

 

65

 

57

 

57

 

Tests on residue from distillation test:

 

Penetration, 25°C, 100g, 5s

100

250

100

250

100

250

100

250

40

90

Ductility, 25°C, 5 cm/min, cm

40

 

40

 

40

 

40

 

40

 

Solubility in trichloroethylene, %

97.5

 

97.5

 

97.5

 

97.5

 

97.5

 

This is typical specification. Customer product compliances will be match
Packing will standard Drum packing/ISO Container and other approved packing

Penetration Grade Bitumen

Penetration Grade Bitumen is Bitumen classified using the penetration property.

Penetration grading’s 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 Grade Bitumen Specification (AASHTO M 20 and ASTM D 946)


 

Units

40/50

60/70

80/100

100/120

Test Methods

Specific Gravity @25°C

-

1.01-1.06

1.01-1.06

1.01-1.05

1.01-1.04

ASTM D-70

Penetration @25°C, 100gm, 5sec

0.1MM

40-50

60-70

80-100

100-120

ASTM D-5

Softening Point, Ring & Ball

°C

52-60

49-56

45-52

42-49

ASTM D-36

Ductility @25°C, 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

20

20

20

ASTM D-6 & D-5

Flash Point Cleveland open cup, Min

°C

250

250

232

250

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

This is typical specification. Customer product compliances will be match
Packing will standard Drum packing/ISO Container and other approved packing

Cut Back Bitumen

Cutback Bitumen is made by reducing the viscosity of and ordinary bitumen by adding mostly petroleum type solvent. Cutback Bitumen are used because their viscosity is lower than that of neat asphalt and can thus be used in low temperature applications. After a cutback is applied the solvent evaporates away and only the Bitumen is left. A cutback bitumen is said to cure as the petroleum solvent evaporates. Cutback bitumen are typically used as prime coats and tack coats. Generally are divided into three groups depending on their volatility of the solvent added:

Slow Curing often called "road oils," are usually a residual material produced from the fractional distillation of certain crude Petroleums. Traditionally any kind of aromatic, naphthenic and paraffinic oils are used. Slow Curing liquid bitumen materials can be prepared by blending bitumen with an oily petroleum fraction.

Medium Curing are a blend of Bitumen with lighter hydrocarbons such as kerosene.

Rapid Curing products are prepared with a light, rapidly evaporating diluent such as a naphtha or gasoline.

As a solvent required to produce a cutback asphalt, it is possible to use not only the above described petroleum type solvent but also a coal type solvent or may be a mixture of various solvents and an additive in order to further improve the performance of final products (e.g. anti stripping effect).

Each of these three types of liquid asphaltic materials is produced in six standard grades. The prefix of each grade denotes the type: SC for Slow Curing, MC for Medium Curing, and RC for Rapid Curing. The suffix, or grade number, denotes the consistency range of the material. In each type, grade 0 is the most liquid, grade 5 the most viscous, with the intermediate grades ranging in consistency in an orderly progression. At room temperature, the consistency of grade 0 materials resembles that of heavy cream while grade 5 materials have the consistency of heavy molasses in cold weather. These products "cure" by the evaporation of the petroleum diluent. Formerly the advantage of application of cutback asphalt mixtures is a difference in the reduced paving temperature. However in these days cutback asphalt are used mostly as prime coat and/or tack coat.

When cutback asphalts are used as a prime coat, the cutback asphalt is sprayed to the surface of untreated sub grade or base layers in order to fill the surface voids and protect the sub-base from water penetration; stabilize the fines and preserve the sub-base material and/or promote bonding to the subsequent pavement layers. When used as a tack coat, the cutback asphalt is applied between hot mix asphalt pavement lifts to promote adequate bonding. This cutback promoted adequate bonding between construction lifts and especially between the existing road surface and an overlay is critical in order for the completed pavement structure to behave as a single unit and provide adequate strength. If adjacent layers do not bond to one another they essentially behave as multiple independent thin layers, none of which are designed to accommodate the anticipated traffic imposed bending stresses. Inadequate bonding between layers can result in delamination (de-bonding) followed by longitudinal Wheel path cracking, fatigue cracking, potholes, and other distresses such as rutting that greatly reduce pavement life.

Slow Curing Cutback Bitumen Specification (ASTM D2026)


Slow Curing (SC)

SC-70

SC-250

SC-800

SC-3000

Test Methods

Property

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, mm2/s

70

140

250

500

800

1600

3000

6000

ASTM D-2170

Flash point (Cleveland open cup), °C

66

-

79

-

93

-

107

-

ASTM D-92

Distillation test:

ASTM D-402

Total distillate to 360°C, volume %

10

30

4

20

2

12

-

5

 

Solubility in trichloroethylene, %

99

-

99

-

99

-

99

-

ASTM D-2042

Kinematic viscosity on distillation residue at 60°C, mm2/s

400

7000

800

10000

2000

16000

4000

35000

ASTM D-2170

Asphalt residue:

ASTM D-243

  - Residue of 100 penetration, %

50

-

60

-

70

-

80

-

ASTM D-5

Ductility of 100 penetration residue at 25°C, cm

100

-

100

-

100

-

100

-

ASTM D-113

Water, %

-

0.5

-

0.5

-

0.5

-

0.5

ASTM D-95


Medium Curing Cutback Bitumen Specification (ASTM D2027 or AASHTO M82-75 2008)


Medium Curing (MC)

MC-30

MC-70

MC-250

MC-800

MC-3000

Test Methods

Property

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, mm2/s

30

60

70

140

250

500

800

1600

3000

6000

ASTM D-2170

Flash point (Cleveland open cup), °C

38

-

38

-

66

-

66

-

66

-

ASTM D-92

Distillation test:  Distillate, volume percent of total distillate to 360°C:

ASTM D-402

to 225°C

-

35

-

25

-

20

-

-

-

-

 

to 260°C

30

75

10

70

5

55

-

40

-

15

 

to 316°C

75

95

65

93

60

90

45

85

15

75

 

Residue from distillation to 360°C, percent volume by difference

50

-

55

-

67

-

75

-

80

-

 

Tests on residue from distillation:

 

Viscosity at 60°C, Pa

30

120

30

120

30

120

30

120

30

120

 

Ductility at 25°C, cm

100

-

100

-

100

-

100

-

100

-

ASTM D-113

Solubility in trichloroethylene, %

99

-

99

-

99

-

99

-

99

-

ASTM D-4

Water, %

-

0.2

-

0.2

-

0.2

-

0.2

-

0.2

ASTM D-95


Rapid Curing Cutback Bitumen Specification


Rapid Curing (RC)

RC-70

RC-250

RC-800

RC-3000

Test Methods

Property

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

Kinematic viscosity at 60°C, mm2/s

70

140

250

500

800

1600

3000

6000

ASTM D-2170

Flash point (Cleveland open cup), °C

-

-

27

-

27

-

27

-

ASTM D-92

Distillation test:  Distillate, volume percent of total distillate to 360°C:

ASTM D-402

to 190°C

10

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

 

to 225°C

50

-

35

-

15

-

-

-

 

to 260°C

70

-

60

-

45

-

25

-

 

to 316°C

85

-

80

-

75

-

70

-

 

Residue from distillation to 360°C, percent volume by difference

55

-

65

-

75

-

80

-

 

Tests on residue from distillation:

 

Viscosity at 60°C, Pa

60

240

60

240

60

240

60

240

 

Ductility at 25°C, cm

100

-

100

-

100

-

100

-

ASTM D-113

Solubility in trichloroethylene, %

99

-

99

-

99

-

99

-

ASTM D-4

Water, %

-

0.2

-

0.2

-

0.2

-

0.2

ASTM D-95

This is typical specification. Customer product compliances will be match
Packing will standard Drum packing/ISO Container and other approved packing

Gilsonite or Natural Bitumen

Gilsonite is a natural, resinous hydrocarbon found in the Uintah Basin in northeastern Utah; thus, it is also called Uintaite. This natural asphalt is similar to a hard petroleum asphalt and is often called a natural asphalt, asphaltite, uintaite, or asphalt. Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to its unique compatibility, Gilsonite is frequently used to harden softer petroleum products. Gilsonite in mass is a shiny, black substance similar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and can be easily crushed into a dark brown powder. When added to asphalt cement or hot mix asphalt in production, Gilsonite helps produce paving mixes of dramatically increased stability.

Gilsonite General Specification


Parameters

Unit

Results

Test Method

Ash Content

%Wt

2.0 - 10.0

ASTM D-3174

Moisture Content

%Wt

1.0 - 3.0

ASTM D-3173

Volatile Matter

%Wt

63

ASTM D-3175

Fixed Carbon

%Wt

29

ASTM D-3172

Solubility in CS2

%Wt

81

ASTM D-4

Specific Gravity at 25°C

 

1.01 - 1.06

ASTM D-3289

Normal Hepthan Insolubles

%Wt

79

ASTM D-3279

Color in Mass

 

Black

-

Color in Streak or Powder

 

Brown

-

Softening Point

°C

180 - 205

ASTM D-36

Penetration at 25°C

0.1MM

0

ASTM D-5

Element Analysis

 

 

 

Carbon

%Wt

74

ASTM D-5291

Hydrogen

%Wt

9.1

ASTM D-5291

Nitrogen

%Wt

1.67

ASTM D-5291

Oxygen

%Wt

3.1

ASTM D-5291

Sulphur

%Wt

0.5

Leco(S) Analyzer

This is typical specification. Customer product compliances will be match
Packing will standard Drum packing/ISO Container and other approved packing

Oxidized Bitumen

Blown bitumen grades or Oxidized Bitumen are produced by passing air through the penetration grades. This process gives the bitumen rubberier properties than its original formula and they are simply harder bitumen. Hard bitumen under controlled temperature conditions is widely used as an anti-slip layer compound in the piling industry, for manufacture of roofing felts, the roofing and waterproofing industries, for sound dampening felts and under carriage sealant in the automotive industry, electric cable joint protection, joint filling compound, sealant compound and many others. Also used in sealing saw cuts and joints where expected movements are minimum. It is also used in the manufacturing of bituminous marine mastic for the oil & gas pipeline joints.

Application:

1. Oxidized Bitumen has a wide variety of industrial applications
2. As a bonding bitumen for roofing sheet membranes.
3. As a hot applied waterproofing layer.
4. Carpet tile manufacture.
5. As a raw material for liquid bitumen coatings
6. For production of bituminous pains, mastic
7. For rust proof pipe coatings
8. Used as an anti-slip layer compound in the piling industry
9. Used for production of roofing and sound dampening felts, Used as under carriage sealant in the automobile industry, electric cable joint protection, joint filling compound, sealant compound and many more in our day to day life.

Oxidized Bitumen Specification


PARAMETERS

GRADES

 

TEST METHOD

 

BITUMEN R 85/25

BITUMEN R 85/40

BITUMEN R 95/25

BITUMEN R 95/40

BITUMEN R 115/15

 

Relative Density at 25 deg  C, g/ml

1.00-1.06

1.00-1.05

1.00-1.05

1.00-1.05

1.00-1.06

ASTM D70

Softening Point (Ring and Ball), dec C

80-90

80-90

90-100

90-100

110-120

ASTM D36

Penetration at 25 °C, 0.1 mm

20-30

35-45

20-30

35-45

42663

ASTM D5

Flash Point ( Cleveland open Cup), °C, Min

200

200

200

200

200

ASTM D92

Loss on heating % by mass

0.2

0.5

0.2

0.5

0.2

ASTM D6

Ductility at 25 °C cm, min

2

2

2

2

2

ASTM D113

Solubility in toluene % wt  min

99

99

99

99

99

EN12592:2000

This is typical specification. Customer product compliances will be match
Packing will standard Drum packing/ISO Container and other approved packing

Performance Grade Bitumen

Performance Grade (PG) bitumen is bitumen which is graded based on its performance at different temperatures. The Long-Term Pavement Performance(LTPP) has given certain algorithm to calculate the temperature of the pavement based on the temperature of the air above. From this, the highest and the lowest temperatures of the pavement is calculated and the bitumen that performs well in that temperature range is selected.

Penetration grading and viscosity grading are somewhat limited in their ability to fully characterize asphalt binder for use in Hot Mix Asphalt(HMA) pavement. Therefore, as part of the Superpave research effort new binder tests and specifications were developed to more accurately and fully characterize asphalt binders for use in HMA pavements. These tests and specifications are specifically designed to address HMA pavement performance parameters such as rutting, fatigue cracking and thermal cracking.

 

PG 46-34

PG 46-28

PG 52-28

PG 58-28

PG 58-22

PG 64-22

AASHTO Method

Original Binder

Flash Point, COC,°C

230

T 48

Flash Point, P-M, °C

NS

≥ 204

ASTM D93

Rotational Viscosity @ 135°C, Pa·s

3

T 316

Dynamic Shear @ Grade Temperature

46

46

52

58

58

64

T 315

G*/sin @ 10 rad/sec, kPa

≥ 1.00

 

RTFOT Residue

Mass Loss, %

≤ 1.00

T 240

Dynamic Shear @ Grade Temperature

46

46

52

58

58

64

T 315

G*/sin @ 10 rad/sec, kPa

2.2

PAV Residue (Aging Temperature, °C)

90

100

R 28

Dynamic Shear @ Grade Temperature

10

13

16

19

22

25

T 315

G*/sin @ 10 rad/sec, kPa

5000

Creep Stiffness

-24

-18

-18

-18

-12

-12

 

S, Mpa

≤ 300

T 313

m-value

≥ 0.30

T 313

Polymer Modified Bitumen

Polymer modified emulsions have more durability and flexibility in comparison to standard emulsions and are usually recommended for better performance and durability, permitting to reduce life cycle costs when compared to regular emulsions. These modifications on normal emulsions by the use of modified bitumen have exhibited and demonstrate reductions in rutting, thermal cracking and increase significantly the resistance generally in traffic-subjected stress pavements.

Designation

Elastomeric Thermoplastic Based

Plastomeric Thermoplastic Based

Natural Rubber Modified Binders

Crumb Rubber Modified Binders

Merthod of tests

 

PMB 120

PMB 70

PMB 40

PMB 120

PMB 70

PMB 40

NRMB 120 

NRMB 70 

NRMB 40 

CRMB 50

CRMB 55

CRMB 60

 

Penetration at 25°C, 0.1mm,100g.5 Sec

90 to 150

50 to 90

30 to 50  

90 to 150  

50 to 90

30 to 50

90-150

50-90

30-50

<70

<60

<60

IS: 1203-1978

Softening Point (R&B)°C Minimum

50

55

60

50

55

60

50

55

60

50

55

60

IS:1205-1978

Ductility at 27°C cm.

+75

+60

+50

+50

+40

+30

+75

+60

+50

-

-

-

IS:1208-1978

Fraass Breaking Point Max

-24

-18

-12

-20

-16

-12

-20

-16

-12

-

-

-

IS:9381-1979

Flash Point by COC°C Minimum

220

220

220

220

220

220

220

220

220

220

220

220

IS:1209-1978

Elastic Recovery of Half Thread in Ductilimeter at 15°C, %, Min

75

75

75

50

50

50

50

40

30

50

50

50

Appendix-1 IRC:SP:53 2002

Separation Difference in softening Point R&B°C, Maximum

3

3

3

3

3

3

4

4

4

4

4

4

Appendix-2 IRC:SP:53 2002

Viscosity at 150°C poise

1-3

2-6

3-9

1-3

2-6

3-9

-

-

-

-

-

-

IS:1206-1978

Thin Film Oven Test (TFOT) on Residue (IS:9382-1992)

Loss in Weight, %, Maximum

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

1.0

-

-

-

-

-

-

IS:9382-1979

Increase in Softening Point °C, Maximum

7

6

5

7

6

5

7

6

5

7

6

5

IS:12QS.1978

Reduction in Penetration of Residue at 25°C, Maximum

35

35

35

35

35

35

-

-

-

-

-

-

IS:1203-1978

Penetration at 25°C 0.1 mm, 100g, 5 Sec. Minimum % of original

-

-

-

-

-

-

60

60

60

60

60

60

IS:1203-1978

Elastic Recovery of Half thread in Ductilimeter at 25°C, % Minimum

50

50

50

35

35

35

35

30

25

35

35

35

Appendix-1 IRC:SP:53 2002

This is typical specification. Customer product compliances will be match
Packing will standard Drum packing/ISO Container and other approved packing

Viscosity Grade Bitumen

There are two methods of grading:

Standard Viscosity Grade Bitumen (AC-Grades), in which the Viscosity of the standard bitumen (asphalt) is measured at 60 ºC (140 ºF). RTFOT Viscosity Grade Bitumen (AR-Grades), in which the Viscosity of bitumen (asphalt) is measured at 60 °C (140 °F) after the roll on thin film oven test.

Viscosity grade bitumen’s have a thermoplastic property which causes the material to soften at high temperatures and to harden at lower temperatures. This unique temperature/ viscosity relationship is important when determining the performance parameters such as the adhesion, rheology, durability and application temperatures of bitumen. In the Viscosity Graded Bitumen specifications further special emphasizes is placed on the Bitumen ductility.

Viscosity Grade Bitumen Specification

Property

Units

VG-10

VG-20

VG-30

VG-40

Test Methods

Penetration at 25°C, 100g, 5sec, Min

0.1MM

80

60

45

35

IS 1203

Absolute viscosity at 60°C

P

800-1200

1600-2400

2400-3600

3200-4800

IS 1206 (Part 2)

Kinematic viscosity at 135°C, Min

cSt

250

300

350

400

IS 1206 (Part 3)

Flash point (Cleveland open cup), Min

°C

220

220

220

220

IS 1448 [P : 69]

Solubility in trichloroethylene, Min

%Wt

99

99

99

99

IS 1216

Softening point (R&B), Min

°C

40

45

47

50

IS 1205

Tests on residue from thin film oven test:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  - Viscosity ratio at 60°C, Max

 

4

4

4

4

IS 1206 (Part 2)

  - Ductility at 25°C, Min

CM

75

50

40

25

IS 1208

This is typical specification. Customer product compliances will be match
Packing will standard Drum packing/ISO Container and other approved packing








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