Bitumen Oxidized
Oxidized bitumen is a type of bitumen produced by blowing air into pure bitumen. It has a lower permeability and a higher softening point compared to pure bitumen. According to softening point and penetration, it is classified into three types: low oxide bitumen, medium oxide bitumen, and hard oxide bitumen. Read this article to learn more about oxidized bitumen.
The oxidized bitumen manufacturing process
This type of bitumen is obtained by blowing hot air of 200-300 degrees Celsius on the infiltrated bitumen in the BBU reactor of the refinery.
Hydrogen atoms in bitumen respond with oxygen atoms in the air when heated by hot air in the reactor.
Vapors are then produced that must be removed from the oxidation chamber. As a result, bitumen remains.
Oxidized Bitumen Grade
This type of bitumen has many qualities. Low oxidized grades include R75/25, R75/30, R85/25, R85/40, R95/25, R90/40. Medium grades include R90/10, R90/15 and hard oxidized are R115/15, R110/15, R105/5, R105/15, R105/35 and R150/5.
What Do These Numbers Mean?
The asphaltenes contained in this bitumen are polymerized by blowing air, making this bitumen rubbery. Because of this rubbery property, this bitumen is called rubberized bitumen, and the letter R indicates this.
These numbers indicate softening point and penetration. For example, R75/25 states that the softening point is 75 and the permeability of this bitumen is 25. Below you will find detailed information about the uses of bitumen oxide and some of the specifications for this grade.
Applications of Oxidized Bitumen
Oxidized Bitumen has many uses such as road construction, hydropower projects, flooring, roofing, mastics, the oil and gas industry, and electrical things.
Roads
This type of bitumen is useful in road construction, paving, and road maintenance. It can be used as a binder additive for various asphalts such as roads, highways, railways, and parking lots.
Hydro projects
One of the sewer lining materials is oxidized bitumen. This type of bitumen can be used in other hydroelectric projects such as embankment and dam construction, hydraulic structures, dam lining protection, and sand stabilization.
Roofing
Bitumen oxide can be used in roofing felts, shingle roofing, coating compositions, automotive roofing compositions, liquid roof coatings, and plastic cement. In general, it is best suited for waterproofing roofs.
Flooring
One of the important uses of oxidized bitumen is flooring. Acid and alkali-resistant bitumen putties can be used to protect surfaces from corrosion in chemical plants, fertilizer plants, steel plants, and many other facilities. The floor parquet can also be repaired.
Oil and gas industry
Besides MC30 bitumen, this type of bitumen is widely used in the oil and gas industry to coat pipelines to preserve pipes from corrosion and rust.
Electrical industry
Oxidized bitumen is a laminate adhesive. The electric connection box can be sealed. This can be used in the cable industry, lithium-ion batteries, and wires.
Advantages of Oxidized
The main benefits of oxidized bitumen are:
High durability
high flexibility
Fully waterproof
chemical stability
Oxidized bitumen specifications
Among these bitumens, the most widely used oxidized bitumen or blown bitumen on the market is R85/25 with a softening point of 85 and a penetration of 25.
Bitumen oxide 85/40 is popular in European countries such as Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.
The standard test method used to get each property is:
Specific Gravity: ASTM D70
Penetration: ASTM D5
Softening Point: ASTM D36
Loss on heating: ASTM D6
Flashpoint : ASTM D92
Solubility: ASTM D4
Ductility: ASTM D113
Spot test: AASHTO 102
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