Above, we discussed bitumen in detail. In this article, we will discuss the performance of the bitumen.

Performance grade (PG) is a grading of bitumens performance based on the temperature. There are two categories in this regard; low temperature and high temperature.

This is a good measurement for measuring the qualification of asphalts for testing the appropriateness of the bitumens for the environment. For example, bitumens with grades suitable with low temperatures are suitable for cold environments like northern areas, and bitumens with grades compatible with high temperatures are suitable for warm areas like northern areas. volume adjustments and traffic speed are also effective factors in PG.

grading of bitumen

oxidized bitumen

Different procedures are done on bitumen, in order to make it suitable for different usages. One of them is bitumen oxidation. Oxidized bitumen is softer and has a lower amount of penetration. As result, it is more resistant to temperature changes. In this article, we will find out how the process of oxidation is done and where is the oxidized bitumen used most.

oxidized bitumen or blown asphalt is produced under a controlled environment and under high temperatures. The process is called air blowing. In the process, the air is blown through an asphalt flux. The temperature of the air is about 200 to 300 degrees Celsius.  An exothermic oxidation reaction occurs, yielding an asphalt that is harder, more viscous, less volatile, and less temperature-susceptible than the asphalt flux used as the feedstock to the process.

In this process the combinations of bitumen combine with the oxygen of the blown air and oxidation takes place. It is solid but it becomes liquid when heated.

All this process is done in order to give rubbery properties to the bitumen.

The process contains different stages. Two main procedures are the Continuous blowing procedure and the Discontinuous blowing procedure.

First of all, bitumen is heated up to 265-270 °C, until it becomes liquid. Then the melted bitumen is transferred to blowing towers; in these towers, the air would be blown to the bitumen.

The air pipes are at the top and bottom of the tower.  After that, bitumen gets cold with water and finally, the bitumen is packed.

Caution:

blowing towers must be filled up to 70%, there must exist 30% empty space for the air. Controllers must bear in mind not to fill towers with bitumen more than 70%.

Controlling the temperature is so important; the controllers must bear in mind that the temperature must not ascend above 270, because the danger of explosion is imminent.

How must the temperature be controlled?

There are different ways for that; water injection, burner extinguisher, and air amount reduction are among them.

Oxidized bitumen has different usages. The most famous of all is in the automobile industry. Other usages are in the manufacture of roofing felt, electrical applications, waterproofing industries, carpet-backing, corrosion protection, acoustic panels, the manufacture of paints, roofing sheets, car tires, lining, and sound damping felts.

Oxidized bitumen is Also used in Gas and Oil industries, factories, and first materials components.

More specialized fields such as marine mastic also use the oxidized bitumen widely for the oil and gas pipeline joints.

Oxidized bitumen is also used in the following industries:

Road construction

The most significant usage of Asphaltums is in road construction. Till now, Asphaltums is the best material for covering the streets and roads since it is a resistant material against high and low temperature, pressure of weight, and so many other factors existing out there.

Waterproofing products and insulating

Because of its high viscosity, water cannot penetrate into it, so most of the waterproofing materials such as Acriflex Pro, Acriflex X-Pro, Oriplast Reflex, Acriflex Mono, WATstop, Vaposhield, Acriflex pH 4, Acriflex Antiroot, Acriflex Fybro, Acriflex Winter, O.R.A. Eco Anti-rain, Ultrabit, Diaseal Strong, Aquabit, Acriflex One, Bentotelo, and are a mixture of Asphaltums.

Pipe coating

A pipeline coating is a cost-effective and viable solution to maintain pipelines’ integrity. This coating provides a constant protective lining that helps save pipelines from the damaging effects of corrosion. Pipeline coating is one of the most reliable corrosion prevention methods used by industries today.

Paints

Most of the colors used in the painting are mixed with components of Asphaltums in order to reach a suitable density. Colors like acrylic or oil painting.

Ink Production

by mixing the resins, solvents, and additives, often at

high temperatures, inks are produced. This is another industry, taking benefits of Asphaltums components.

Soundproofing

Because of special features of bitumen, like high density, it is a resistant material to sound. It means it doesn’t let the sound penetrate into the surface. So the rooms are covered by soundproofing panels, it is called sound-absorbing.

Dams

Since bitumen components are waterproof, the grounds of the dams are covered with it. Water may penetrate into any surface; it can even break the stones and cross across them. But when engineers use Asphaltums, they are relieved; no threat will threaten them.

The oxidized bitumen has a lower penetration level than the bitumen itself.

Completely water resistance, high flexibility, a higher degree of softness, lower sensitivity to temperature variations, chemical stability, and durability are magnificent features of the oxidized bitumen.  That is the reason there is no replacement for it in the industry. In contrast to paving grade bitumen, it has shown considerable Reduction in temperature susceptibility, a more ‘solid’ nature at ambient temperatures, and High penetration index.

Thanks for being with us to the end of this article, we hope the information will be useful for you.