What is bitumen 50/70?
Bitumen 50/70 is one of the industrial bitumen products named according to its penetration degree. The degree of penetration of a bitumen product mainly refers to its hardness and viscosity. Basically, experts grade bitumen with a test in which they measure the depth of penetration of a needle into the bitumen. Then, they grade the bitumen accordingly. 50/70 bitumen has its own specifications and features and is produced under a certain process, which we will explain in the rest of this article about Iranian trade.
How is the production process of bitumen 50/70?
To produce bitumen 50/70, its manufacturers must first obtain crude oil, because the main source of industrial bitumen production is crude oil. Then, they put the crude oil through an initial fractional distillation step. After that, they heat the crude oil to a temperature of 300 to 350 degrees Celsius. Next, they feed the heated crude oil into an atmospheric distillation column. In this step, crude oil components are separated from each other according to their boiling points. The lighter components move to the top of the column, while the heavier components, including bitumen, remain at the bottom of the vessel. (For more information, you can read the article What is bitumen.)
Vacuum distillation and blowing air into bitumen
Next, bitumen producers subject this residue to a vacuum distillation process that separates the lighter oils from the heavier oils in the mix. In this way, the remaining vacuum is produced. After producing the remaining vacuum, the manufacturers place it in an air blowing unit. In this step, they put the bitumen residue under certain conditions of temperature and air pressure, which causes molecular chemical reactions in the bitumen and increases its viscosity. Ultimately, it is this process that gives 50/70 bitumen its specific characteristics. But what exactly are these specifications and features?
What are the technical specifications and characteristics of bitumen 50/70?
We have already mentioned that each graded bitumen product has its own properties and characteristics. The same is true for bitumen 50/70. This bitumen has several important characteristics and features that make it have its own specific application. These features include:
The degree of penetration
The degree of penetration of each bitumen is its degree of hardness or softness, which in the case of 50/70 bitumen, this degree is between 50 and 70. This rating means that a standard needle can penetrate the bitumen by 50 to 70 tenths of a millimeter. As a result, this degree of penetration shows that 50/70 bitumen has a balance between softness and hardness. Hence, it is suitable for use in temperate climates.
Soft point
Softening point of bitumen is an important characteristic in any bitumen product. Basically, the softening point indicates the maximum temperature at which bitumen loses its shape. Therefore, this property is important in road construction and roads, as it indicates the maximum temperature the bitumen can withstand the road traffic load. For bitumen 50/70, the softening point is 50 degrees Celsius.
Malleability
Ductility is the tolerance of a bitumen to stretch it without breaking. Moldability is another important property of any bitumen product. The better the plasticity of a bitumen, the more durable it is against road fatigue and cracking. In general, the plasticity of 50/70 bitumen is relatively good and resistant.
What is bitumen: introduction of types of bitumen + comparison of uses
Viscosity
Viscosity is the degree of adhesion of the bitumen product, which is important in several ways. Basically, viscosity refers to the resistance to flow of change and determines how well road builders can mix it with other mixes. Also, viscosity can affect how bitumen spreads on asphalt.
In addition, the better the viscosity of a bitumen, the more durable it is against traffic loads and weather conditions. Regarding 50/70 bitumen, this type of bitumen has a good viscosity at high temperature (for example, 60 degrees Celsius), which means that it can be efficiently combined with other materials and applied on roads. (To learn more about the concept of bitumen viscosity and its applications, read the article on bitumen viscosity.)
Temperature sensitivity
The sensitivity to temperature in 50/70 bitumen is average. This means that this type of bitumen does not change much in terms of temperature changes in its viscosity and hardness. Therefore, the temperature sensitivity of 50/70 bitumen is also an important feature, as it shows that 50/70 bitumen can perform well in different temperature ranges.
Solubility and resistance to aging
50/70 bitumen is soluble in carbon disulfide solution. Also, 50/70 bitumen has good resistance to aging and can maintain its important properties despite exposure to weather for a long time.
(To learn about the applications of penetrating bitumen, be sure to read the article on penetrating bitumen.)
What are the uses of bitumen 50/70?
Bitumen 50/70 has various uses because of its properties. Of course, its most important and main use is in the construction of roads. Since its application on the road makes the road have a good resistance to heavy loads, it will be a binding agent in the asphalt concrete and create strong and resistant roads. Also, road builders use bitumen 50/70 to build roads, parking lots, and airport runways.
What is the price of bitumen 50/70?
If you want to buy bitumen 50/70, it is better to know a little about its price. In general, several factors affect the price of 50/70 bitumen, the first of which is crude oil. Since crude oil is the main component of 50/70 bitumen, its price change will subsequently affect the price of 50/70 bitumen.
That is, if the price of crude oil rises, the price of 50/70 bitumen will also increase, and vice versa. Also, like any other market, the amount of supply and demand is effective in the price of bitumen. For example, if the demand for bitumen is 50/70 more than its supply, its price will increase.
