What the numbers mean
Penetration-grade bitumen is named by its penetration range: how far a standard needle sinks into the bitumen at 25 °C, under a 100 g load for 5 seconds, measured in tenths of a millimetre (ASTM D5 / EN 1426). Bitumen 60/70 has a penetration of 60–70, which means the needle sinks 6.0–7.0 mm.
A lower penetration number means a harder bitumen. So 10/20 is the hardest of the three, 60/70 is in the middle, and 80/100 is the softest.
Grade comparison
| Grade | Penetration at 25 °C (0.1 mm) | Hardness | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/20 | 10–20 | Hardest | High-modulus asphalt (EN 13924) |
| 60/70 | 60–70 | Medium | Hot-mix asphalt base and wearing courses |
| 80/100 | 80–100 | Softer | Asphalt mixes, emulsions, cutback and modified bitumen |
Bitumen 60/70 and 80/100 specifications (ASTM)
60/70 and 80/100 share the same test set and limits; only the penetration range differs.
| Property | Test method | 60/70 | 80/100 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25 °C (0.1 mm) | ASTM D5 | 60 – 70 | 80 – 100 |
| Ductility at 25 °C (cm) | ASTM D113 | ≥ 100 | ≥ 100 |
| Flash point (°C) | ASTM D92 | ≥ 232 | ≥ 232 |
| Loss on heating at 163 °C (wt %) | ASTM D6 | ≤ 0.20 | ≤ 0.20 |
| Retained penetration after heating (%) | ASTM D5 | ≥ 75 | ≥ 75 |
| Ductility after heating (cm) | ASTM D113 | ≥ 75 | ≥ 75 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene (wt %) | ASTM D2042 | ≥ 99.0 | ≥ 99.0 |
Bitumen 10/20: penetration grade or oxidized
Two different products are sold as 10/20. The penetration grade is a hard paving bitumen made to EN 13924: penetration 10–20, softening point 60–76 °C, flash point at least 245 °C. It is used for high-modulus asphalt, mixed and worked at 165–175 °C and never heated above 185 °C.
Oxidized (blown) 10/20 is made by blowing air through hot bitumen, which raises its softening point. It is used in roofing, waterproofing and industrial compounds, not paving. Always state which type you need when ordering.
Packaging, local supply and export
Petroseal Enterprises supplies all three grades in new steel drums or in bulk, all over Pakistan, and exports them from Karachi to buyers in Europe. All Incoterms 2020 rules are available on request, including FOB, CFR and CIF.
Every batch ships with a Certificate of Analysis, and export shipments also carry a Safety Data Sheet, certificate of origin, packing list and bill of lading, with third-party inspection on request. Petroleum bitumen is classified under HS code 2713.20.