According to the indicators of viscosity, plasticity, density, softening temperature and field of use, the following bitumen grades are distinguished: road, construction and roofing bitumen. Each of these types has its own letter designation according to GOST — for example, most road ones have the abbreviation BN, and roofing ones — BNK.
Two thirds of the bitumen produced in the world belongs to the road type. This is due to the wide scope of their application and the constant demand for road construction. GOST 22245-90 regulates the quality standards for all grades of road bitumen in Russia. First, let us find out the key characteristics of mixtures and understand what they affect.
Types of bitumen
Penetration.
This indicator determines the depth of penetration of the needle at a certain temperature regime. The higher the penetration, the higher the heat resistance, respectively, the mixture can be used in a wider temperature range.
What brands of viscous road bitumen are distinguished?
Viscous bitumen, unlike liquid bitumen, is used for the production of asphalt concrete mixtures. They are suitable for both hot, warm, and cold formulations. Most often, two brands of bitumen are chosen for laying asphalt: BND and BN. How are they different?
BND stands for petroleum road bitumen in Russian. This is a specialized brand designed for the manufacture of road pavements. This type of bitumen has a high softening point, high penetration and low brittleness temperature. Asphalt is resistant to temperature changes and loads. Bitumen grade BN has lower penetration and a higher brittleness temperature. They are most widely used in construction: for processing foundations, internal and external waterproofing of buildings, laying pipelines, and making mastic and varnishes.
If we talk about the brands of viscous road bitumen, the following types are prescribed in GOST 22245-90:
What types of road bitumen are used for road construction in different parts of Russia?
Depending on the above indicators, different brands of viscous road bitumen are used to create a road pavement in certain regions. It depends on the characteristics of how strong and durable the asphalt will be. The experts give the following recommendations:
BND 40/60 is perfect for hot climates where summer temperatures exceed 35 °C. Bitumen 40/60 is resistant to high temperatures and does not lose properties when heated, while frost resistance is limited.
Two thirds of the bitumen produced in the world belongs to the road type. This is due to the wide scope of their application and the constant demand for road construction. GOST 22245-90 regulates the quality standards for all grades of road bitumen in Russia. First, let us find out the key characteristics of mixtures and understand what they affect.
Types of bitumen
Penetration.
This indicator determines the depth of penetration of the needle at a certain temperature regime. The higher the penetration, the higher the heat resistance, respectively, the mixture can be used in a wider temperature range.
- Brittleness Temperature. In this case, the coating is destroyed even under short-term loads. The lower the brittleness temperature, the better, since the mixture can be used even at subzero temperatures. As a rule, it reaches up to -30 °C. The brittleness temperature shows the minimum range and differs for grades of bitumen.
- The softening temperature. With it, the bitumen turns into a fluid state, completely softening.
- Stretchability and viscosity. These indicators characterize consistency. It is desirable that the viscosity be highest at the maximum application temperature. The stretchability (the ability of the substance to stretch into a thread) should also be as high as possible: for grades of viscous road bitumen, this indicator should be more than 40 cm.
- Adhesion. This is the ability to "stick" to surfaces. The higher the adhesion, the better, and the adhesion should be good over a wide temperature range. Adhesion indirectly affects the durability of coatings made of different types of bitumen: due to it, the road surface is kept from destruction under the wheels of cars.
What brands of viscous road bitumen are distinguished?
Viscous bitumen, unlike liquid bitumen, is used for the production of asphalt concrete mixtures. They are suitable for both hot, warm, and cold formulations. Most often, two brands of bitumen are chosen for laying asphalt: BND and BN. How are they different?
BND stands for petroleum road bitumen in Russian. This is a specialized brand designed for the manufacture of road pavements. This type of bitumen has a high softening point, high penetration and low brittleness temperature. Asphalt is resistant to temperature changes and loads. Bitumen grade BN has lower penetration and a higher brittleness temperature. They are most widely used in construction: for processing foundations, internal and external waterproofing of buildings, laying pipelines, and making mastic and varnishes.
If we talk about the brands of viscous road bitumen, the following types are prescribed in GOST 22245-90:
- BND 200/300;
- BND 130/200;
- BND 90/130;
- BND 60/90;
- BND 40/60.
What types of road bitumen are used for road construction in different parts of Russia?
Depending on the above indicators, different brands of viscous road bitumen are used to create a road pavement in certain regions. It depends on the characteristics of how strong and durable the asphalt will be. The experts give the following recommendations:
BND 40/60 is perfect for hot climates where summer temperatures exceed 35 °C. Bitumen 40/60 is resistant to high temperatures and does not lose properties when heated, while frost resistance is limited.
- BND 60/90 is most suitable for warm climate conditions.
- BND 90/130 is the most versatile brand of bitumen. It can be used in almost all regions of Russia. A special feature is the possibility of use in road works in the cold season, with an operating temperature of the mixture ranging from -20 to +5 °C. The operating temperature of the mixture will be from -20 to +5 °C.
- BND 90/130 is perfect for mild and cold climates.
- BND 200/300 is recommended for use in areas with harsh winters and low temperatures reaching up to -20 °C, due to its high frost and crack resistance at subzero temperatures.