Bitumen can be classified by origin, or raw materials used for its production, by physical properties and application. Each type is suitable for particular operating conditions.
Bitumen is classified:
By origin
Natural bitumen in its pure form is rare and is part of fossil fuels. It can be both a viscous liquid and a solid. Natural bitumen occurs when the preservation of oil derivatives is disrupted because of polymerization — natural oxidative processes. This type of bitumen has a high content of minerals and impurities, including naphthenic acids, esters, sulfur and non-ferrous metals. Natural bitumen is not a ready-made commercial product, but has high resistance to chemical and atmospheric influences.
Synthetic or technical bitumen is similar in composition to natural bitumen, but it is a residual product of refining oil, coal tar and shale. A potential high amount of paraffin makes it more valuable. Synthetic bitumen is so widespread, so it takes over 90% of the total volume of bitumen used.
By raw materials
Peat bitumen is obtained due to organic solvents such as benzene, gasoline, etc. The composition is dominated by peat components such as wax, paraffin and resins. The main field of application is the foundry industry, in particular the casting of high-precision models and plastic products, as well as the production of protective and polishing compositions in the pulp and paper industry.
Coal bitumen is extracted from another raw material — fossil coal. The composition is a mixture of saponified substances, free acids, their hydrocarbons and anhydrides, after processing, it is possible to also isolate wax and resins. The field of application is paint and varnish products, the production of adhesive materials, as well as the road construction industry.
Oil bitumen is divided into several types depending on the method of production:
The main field of application is the construction industry and the production of insulation, paint materials, etc.
By consistency
Solid bitumen is a substance extracted from peat or coal. Depending on the properties, they are divided into:
Viscous bitumen is a resin-like product.
Liquid bitumen is a mixture of viscous bitumen with diluent components such as gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, etc. Depending on the rate of thickening, they are divided into:
By application
The selection of a specific brand of bitumen is dictated by the requirements, but there is a general classification according to the intended purpose of the bitumen.
Bitumen is classified:
- By origin
- By raw materials
- By consistency
- By application
By origin
- Bitumen of natural origin (crude)
- Synthetic (technical) bitumen
Natural bitumen in its pure form is rare and is part of fossil fuels. It can be both a viscous liquid and a solid. Natural bitumen occurs when the preservation of oil derivatives is disrupted because of polymerization — natural oxidative processes. This type of bitumen has a high content of minerals and impurities, including naphthenic acids, esters, sulfur and non-ferrous metals. Natural bitumen is not a ready-made commercial product, but has high resistance to chemical and atmospheric influences.
Synthetic or technical bitumen is similar in composition to natural bitumen, but it is a residual product of refining oil, coal tar and shale. A potential high amount of paraffin makes it more valuable. Synthetic bitumen is so widespread, so it takes over 90% of the total volume of bitumen used.
By raw materials
- Peat bitumen
- Coal bitumen
- Asphalt (oil) bitumen
Peat bitumen is obtained due to organic solvents such as benzene, gasoline, etc. The composition is dominated by peat components such as wax, paraffin and resins. The main field of application is the foundry industry, in particular the casting of high-precision models and plastic products, as well as the production of protective and polishing compositions in the pulp and paper industry.
Coal bitumen is extracted from another raw material — fossil coal. The composition is a mixture of saponified substances, free acids, their hydrocarbons and anhydrides, after processing, it is possible to also isolate wax and resins. The field of application is paint and varnish products, the production of adhesive materials, as well as the road construction industry.
Oil bitumen is divided into several types depending on the method of production:
- Residual bitumen is obtained due to the atmospheric vacuum distillation of heavy oil residues at 300–359 °C;
- Oxidized is obtained by the oxidation of refined petroleum products at a temperature of 260–280 ° C;
- Compound bitumen is a mix of oxidized and residual bitumen, as well as other oil refining products;
- Cracking bitumen is obtained when oil and petroleum oils are split at high temperatures and high pressure;
- Extractive bitumen: cleaning of lubricating oils is performed by selective dissolution, separation of paraffin and precipitation of asphalts.
The main field of application is the construction industry and the production of insulation, paint materials, etc.
By consistency
- Solid bitumen
- Viscous bitumen
- Liquid bitumen
Solid bitumen is a substance extracted from peat or coal. Depending on the properties, they are divided into:
- Fragile (graphamite), i.e., prone to sudden, instantaneous destruction as a result of external influences
- Plastic, i.e., capable of accepting the load without cracking and tearing and retaining properties after removing the load
- Highly plastic, the same as the previous one, but with a wider range of impact loads
Viscous bitumen is a resin-like product.
Liquid bitumen is a mixture of viscous bitumen with diluent components such as gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene, etc. Depending on the rate of thickening, they are divided into:
- Medium-thickening liquid bitumen
- Slow-hardening liquid bitumen
By application
The selection of a specific brand of bitumen is dictated by the requirements, but there is a general classification according to the intended purpose of the bitumen.
- Road bitumen is used for materials intended for the repair of road surfaces, the construction of transport interchanges, the laying of airfield coatings, etc. The materials can be asphalt concrete mixtures, bitumen mastic, bitumen emulsions and other products.
- Roofing bitumen is common as a protective coating. They are divided into cover coatings — roofing material, parchment, etc.— and impregnating mixtures for the treatment of coatings and structures.
- Insulating bitumen, as a rule, is part of waterproofing materials: bitumen mastic, metal insulation, etc.
- General construction bitumen can be used for various types of repair and construction work, as well as for waterproofing foundations.
- Special-purpose bitumen is intended to produce paint, tires, and electrical products.