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Bitumen VG 20
Bitumen VG-20, or Viscosity Grade 20 bitumen, is a widely recognized material in the construction and infrastructure sectors, primarily used for road construction and maintenance. Its moderate viscosity makes it an ideal choice for areas that experience colder climates, as it performs well at lower temperatures without becoming too hard or brittle. The VG-20 grade of bitumen offers excellent adhesive properties, allowing it to bond effectively with aggregates to form durable and long-lasting asphalt mixes. This ability to form strong bonds is crucial in ensuring the structural integrity and longevity of roads, pavements, and other bituminous surfaces. The moderate viscosity also provides good workability, making it easier to handle during the construction and paving processes.
In addition to its use in road construction, Bitumen VG-20 is also commonly employed in other asphalt-based applications where durability, flexibility, and performance are important. Its resistance to wear, weathering, and aging ensures that roads and infrastructure built with VG-20 bitumen can withstand heavy traffic, extreme temperatures, and other harsh conditions. The bitumen is produced under strict quality control measures to meet international standards, ensuring consistent performance in a wide range of applications. With its balance of workability and strength, Bitumen VG-20 continues to be a preferred choice for engineers and construction professionals seeking a reliable material for the development and maintenance of high-quality road surfaces.
Production Process
Bitumen VG-20 is derived through the fractional distillation of crude oil, where it is obtained as a residue. Post-distillation, it undergoes further refinement to achieve the required viscosity and performance characteristics.
Viscosity Focus: Viscosity, the resistance to flow, is a critical parameter for bitumen VG-20. At 60°C, its viscosity is precisely controlled to ensure optimal flow and workability during construction and use.
Properties
- Moderate Viscosity: Facilitates easy mixing and compaction in asphalt mixtures.
- Adhesion Strength: Bonds effectively with aggregates to create durable and stable asphalt mixtures.
- Rheological Properties: Exhibits resilience under varying loads, temperature changes, and environmental stress, minimizing deformation or cracking.
- Water Resistance: Provides excellent waterproofing capabilities, enhancing pavement longevity.
Applications
1. Road Construction
Bitumen VG-20 is widely used in the production of:
- Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA): Provides strength and durability.
- Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA): Ensures energy-efficient construction.
- Mastic Asphalt: Used for high-load areas such as intersections and bridges.
- The material's moderate viscosity ensures ease of mixing, uniform coating of aggregates, and compaction, resulting in smooth and durable pavements.
2. Flexible Pavements
Bitumen VG-20 is an essential component of flexible pavements, designed to distribute loads efficiently across the pavement structure. It acts as a binder in asphalt concrete, ensuring stability and resistance to wear and tear.
3. Waterproofing & Surface Dressing
Used in surface dressing, bitumen VG-20 enhances skid resistance and provides an effective waterproofing layer. This maintenance technique extends the life of existing road surfaces by protecting them from water infiltration and surface wear.
Benefits
- Cold Climate Suitability: Designed for regions with colder climates, ensuring flexibility and resistance to thermal cracking.
- Durability: Provides long-lasting performance under heavy traffic loads.
- Versatility: Applicable in various asphalt mixtures and maintenance techniques.
Packaging Options
Bitumen VG-20 is available in multiple packaging formats to cater to diverse project needs:
- Bulk
- New Steel Drum
- 1 MT Jumbo Bag
- 300 kg Bitubag
- Bitutainer
Conclusion
Bitumen VG-20 is a versatile, high-performance material crucial to modern road construction and maintenance. Its moderate viscosity, strong adhesive properties, and durability make it ideal for flexible pavements, surface dressing, and waterproofing applications. By offering longevity and resilience, bitumen VG-20 ensures the creation of roads and infrastructure capable of enduring the challenges of traffic and environmental factors.
| Characteristics | Unit | VG 30 | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Viscosity @ 60 °C, Poises | °C | Min.2400 | IS 1206 (Part 2) |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 135 °C | cSt | Min.350 | IS 1206 (Part 3) |
| Softening Point (R&B) | °C | Min.47 | IS 1205 |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open Cup) | °C | Min.220 | IS 1209 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | % | Min.99 | IS 1206 |
| Penetration @ 25 °C (100 grams, 5 seconds) | 0.1 | 50-70 | IS 1203 |
| mm | |||
| Test on residue from thin film oven tests/RTFOT | |||
| i) Viscosity ratio @ 60 °C | °C | Max. 4.0 | IS 1206 (Part 2) |
| ii) Ductility @ 25 °C (Thin film oven test) | Cm | Min.40 | IS 1208 |
| Specification Gravity @ 27/27 | °C | Min.0.99 | IS 1202 |
| Conforms to BIS (IS 73:2006) Specifications | |||
| Specification | 150kg bitumen drum | 180kg bitumen drum | 200kg bitumen drum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Height (mm) | 860 | 980 | 980 |
| Diameter (mm) | 500 | 500 | 500 |
| Body Thickness (mm) | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Top/Base thickness (mm) | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Net weight +/- 2.5 (kg) | 150 | 182 | 210 |
| Gross weight +/-2.5 (kg) | 158 | 192 | 220 |
| Empty drum weight +/-1 (kg) | 8.5 | 9.5 | 10 |
