The Viscosity Grading System for Bitumen

The evolution of the Bitumen binder specifications has a unique history. In the early '60s in US the penetration system was replaced with the viscosity-graded system. This was a transition from a purely empirical test protocol to a viscosity-based system which correlates with some aspects of pavement construction and performance. The problem with these methods is that the tests were not run under pavement conditions. The low-temperature test never reached the extremes observed in the field and no test existed for measuring rutting resistance in the upper pavement temperature region. The earlier specifications used conventional test methods like penetration, viscosity and ductility, and related them to different performance requirements like resistance to rutting, process ability and low-temperature performance. The next logical step was to develop performance-based specifications using methods which measure engineering properties rather than purely empirical values. In line with this philosophy, Viscosity Grade Paving Bitumen standards have been introduced to take care of lowest temperature (responsible for cracking) and maximum temperature (responsible for rutting). The BIS has issued IS 73 specification for this type of Bitumen in Jul 2006. In the revised Grading system, the Paving grade Bitumen have been categorized according to Viscosity (degree of fluidity) grading. The higher the grade, the harder is the Bitumen. In Viscosity Grade, Viscosity tests are conducted at 60oC and 135oC, which represent the temperature of road surface during summer (hot climate,

similar to northern parts of India) and mixing temperature respectively. The various characteristics of bitumen as per IS 73: 2006 is as below:
Characteristics Absolute Viscosity, 60 C, poises, min Kinematic Viscosity, 135 C, Cst, min Flash point, C, min Solubility in trichloroethylene, %, min Penetration at 25 C
o o o o

VG-10 800 250 220 99.0 80100 40

VG-20 1600 300 220 99.0 60-80

VG-30 2400 350 220 99.0 50-70

VG-40 3200 400 220 99.0 40-60

Softening point, C, min Tests on residue from TFOT / RTFOT: i. Viscosity ratio at 60 C, max ii. Ductility at 25 C, cm, min, after TFOT test
o o

45

47

50

4.0 75

4.0 50

4.0 40

4.0 25

The application of Bitumen would depend on the Geography and the traffic intensity and the load on the pavements. However, a general guide for usage is as given below: VG-10 Bitumen: VG-10 is widely used in spraying applications such as surface dressing and paving in very cold climate in lieu of old 80/100 Penetration grade. It is also used to manufacture Bitumen Emulsion and Modified Bitumen products.

VG-20 Bitumen: VG-20 is used for paving in cold climate & high altitude regions, for eg. Northern regions. VG-30 Bitumen: VG-30 is primarily used to construct extra heavy duty Bitumen pavements that need to endure substantial traffic loads. It can be used in lieu of 60/70 Penetration grade. VG-40 Bitumen: VG-40 is used in highly stressed areas such as intersections, near toll booths and truck parking lots in lieu of old 30/40 Penetration grade. Due to its higher Viscosity, stiffer Bitumen mixes can be produced to improve resistance to shoving and other problems associated with higher temperature and heavy traffic loads. A comparison of the Bitumen 60/70 pen Grade of bitumen under IS 73: 1992 and VG grade of Bitumen under IS 73: 2006 specifications is as given below:
Characteristics Specification IS73:199260/70 Specific gravity at 27 C, Min Water, percent by mass, Max Flash point, Cleveland open cup, C, Min Softening point C, (R&B), Min Penetration at 25oC, 100 g, 5 Sec., 1/10mm Penetration ratio , Min Ductility at 27oC, cm, Min Paraffin wax content, percent by mass, Max Frass breaking point, C, Max Loss on heating, thin film oven test, percent by mass, Max
o 1 o o o

Retained penetration after thin film oven test, 25 oC, 100 g, 5 Sec., 1/10 mm. Percent of original, Min Matter soluble in trichloroethylene, percent by mass, Min Viscosity At 60 oC, Poises Viscosity At 135 oC, cst, Min Viscosity Ratio at 60o C, Max on residue from after TFOT Ductility at 25oC, cm, Min, after thin-film oven Test

52 99 1500-2500 300 -

99 2400 350 4 40

IS 9382 : 1979 IS 1216 : 1978 IS 1206 (Part 2) : 1978 IS 1206 (Part 3) : 1978 IS 1206 (Part 2) : 1978 IS 1208 : 1978

The above comparison shows that the 14 parameters for comparison have been reduced to 5 parameters and 2 additional parameters which indicate the ageing characteristics have been included. As explained earlier, these changes have been done to correlate the engineering properties rather than the empirical values with performance of Bitumen. Except for the developed markets of US have already transitioned from the VG Grade to PG Grade, i.e, Performance Grade under the Superpave Performance Specification, most of the markets are with Penetration Grade Only. VG specifications have been adopted in some mature markets like Australia. Essar Oil also has plans to manufacture VG Grade of Bitumen in the near future.

IS 73: 2006 VG:30 220 47 50-70

Methods of Test, Ref to

0.99 0.2 175 45 to 55 60 to 70

IS 1202 : 1978 IS 1211 : 1978 IS 1209 : 1978 IS 1205 : 1978 IS 1203 : 1978 IS 1203 : 1978 IS 1208 : 1978 IS 10512 : 1983/DIN52105 IS 9381 : 1979 IS 1212 : 1978

35 75 4.5 -6 1