Bitumen 80/100 is one of the types of penetrating bitumens that has a special place in the road construction, construction and bitumen products industry due to its high softness, proper flexibility and acceptable performance in cold weather conditions. As a thermoplastic material, this type of bitumen exhibits different behavior at different temperatures, and this characteristic has made it very suitable for specific applications.
Bitumen 80/100 is classified as penetrating bitumen according to international standards. The number 80/100 indicates the penetration range of the standard needle at 25°C, which is between 80 and 100 tenths of a millimeter. This high penetration rate indicates that the bitumen is softer than harder grades such as 60/70 or 40/50.
Penetrating bitumens are obtained from the distillation of crude oil and are classified based on their permeability, softening point, viscosity and other physical properties. Bitumen 80/100, as one of the softest grades, is used in low temperature areas or projects with light loads.
The production of 80/100 bitumen involves several key steps:Primary distillation of crude oil
In this stage, lighter components such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene are separated, leaving a heavier material called vacuum bottoms.
Vacuum distillation
The vacuum bottoms are distilled in a vacuum tower under low pressure to extract the base bitumen.
Air blowing (if required)
Air is blown into the base bitumen to adjust the rheological properties and increase viscosity. This step is optional in some productions.
Addition of modifiers
If required, additives such as polymers, nanoparticles or anti-aging agents are added to the bitumen to improve its performance against environmental conditions.
Feature | Standard value |
Degree of penetration | 80–100 tenths of a millimeter |
Soft spot | 42–50°C |
Density | 1.01–1.05 kg/liter |
Flash point | About 240–260 °C |
Elasticity | At least 100 cm at 25°C |
Weight loss | Less than 0.2% |
Color | Glossy black |
Due to its high softness and flexibility, 80/100 bitumen is used in projects that require softer bitumen:
Asphalting in cold regions
Excellent performance at low temperatures and preventing cracking of the road surface
Low-traffic and rural roads
Suitable for routes with light loading and limited traffic
Damp insulation of buildings
Use in roofs, bathrooms, foundations and underground walls
Production of insulation and prefabricated bitumen products
As a base material in the production of roll insulation and bitumen mastics
Export to cold countries
It has high demand in foreign markets due to its good performance at low temperatures
High flexibility at low temperatures
Good resistance to cracking
Ability to be combined with additives to improve performance
Reasonable price compared to harder grades
Compatibility with various materials in asphalt production
⚠️ Limitations and important points
In tropical or high-traffic areas, excessive softness may cause the asphalt to deform
Need for careful temperature control during transportation and storage
In heavy-duty projects such as highways or airport runways, the use of harder grades is recommended
🧠 Conclusion
80/100 bitumen, with its unique technical characteristics, is a popular choice for lightweight projects, cold regions, and bitumen product production. Its high softness, good flexibility, and modifiability make it a smart choice for civil engineers and construction product manufacturers
