Performance Grade Bitumen (PG) Description
Performance Grade Bitumen is based on the prediction of its performance on the road, so that it is classified into different groups based on the properties of the bitumen in real conditions. instead of producing viscosity grade bitumen and penetration grade bitumen, is used PG bitumen in asphalt production. In this method, a temperature range is assigned to the bitumen, and the costumer can choose the appropriate bitumen according to his desired location.
Performance Grade Bitumen is based on its performance at several temperature. the classified base of PG Bitumen is temperature and divided to Low, Medium and High . The specification base of each grade is on the AASHTO M 320-10 and ASTM D6373 − 1.
Performance Grade Bitumen Grades
The PG Bitumen is based on 3 different temperatures. For high temperature performance, rutting, which typically takes time to cumulate, means an average of 7 days maximum pavement temperature is used for describing the high temperature climate. Also, on the low temperature side, thermal cracking can happen during one really cold night.
The average 7 day maximum pavement temperature typically ranged from 46 to 82°C, and minimum pavement temperature typically ranged from −46°C to −10°C.
Example of PG Grade System
in example, PG 70-10 that means cab be used this grade in an area where its maximum temperature is 70 and its lowest temperature is -10 degree Celsius, also It means that this bitumen can not perform well in the temperatures higher than 70 degree Celsius and it can not tolerate the temperature below -10 degree Celsius.
However for more understand of each grades of PG Bitumen you can see the table below.
| PG System | PG 46 | PG 52 | PG 58 | PG 64 | PG 70 | PG 76 | PG 82 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -10 | —— | 52-10 | —— | 64-10 | 70-10 | 76-10 | 82-10 |
| -16 | —— | 52-16 | 58-16 | 64-16 | 70-16 | 76-16 | 82-16 |
| -22 | —— | 52-22 | 58-22 | 64-22 | 70-22 | 76-22 | 82-22 |
| -28 | —— | 52-28 | 58-28 | 64-28 | 70-28 | 76-28 | 82-28 |
| -34 | 46-34 | 52-34 | 58-34 | 64-34 | 70-34 | 76-34 | 82-34 |
| -40 | 46-40 | 52-40 | 58-40 | 64-40 | 70-40 | —— | —— |
| -46 | 46-46 | 52-46 | —— | —— | —— | —— | —— |
Grading system structure
PG 70-10
Performance
Grade (PG)
Min pavement
design temp(-10)
Average 7
Days Max (70)
PG Bitumen Grades in Differente Usage
Performance Grade Bitumen mainly used for Road Construction or paving for both new construction However Other uses include spray applications for bridge deck and pavement protective membrane with fabrics.
the best grade of PG Bitumen for resisting thermal cracking:
- PG 64-22
- PG 76-22
- PG 64-28
- PG 58-34
the best grade of PG Bitumen for resisting rutting:
- PG 82-22
- PG 76-28
- PG 70-28
- PG 76-22
the best grade of PG Bitumen for Traffic Speed
- PG 58-22
- PG 64-22
- PG 70-22
- PG 76-22
Specifications of Performance Grade Bitumen
| TEST METHOD | LIMIT | ASTM | AASHOT | PG 58-22 | PG 70-16 | PG 76-10 | PG 64-22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flash Point (°C) | 230 °C Min | D92 | T48 | 303 | 300 | 320 | 312 |
| Rotational Viscosity@135°C | 3 Pa.s Max | D4402 | T316 | 0.282 | 0.425 | 0.425 | 0.325 |
| DSR (°C) | —– | —– | —– | 58 | 70 | 76 | 64 |
| G*/sinδ (°C) 10 rad/s | 1.0 KPa Min | D7175 | T315 | 1.51 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.14 |
| RTFOT G*/sinδ (°C) 10 rad/s | 2.20 KPa Min | D7175 | T315 | 2.71 | 2.3 | 2.25 | 2.9 |
| Change of mass after RTFOT | 1%MAX | D2872 | T240 | 0.08 | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.06 |
| PAV | —– | D5621 | R28 | 100(110) | 100(110) | 100(110) | 100(110) |
| DSR G*/sinδ (°C) 10 rad/s | KPa 5000 Max | ِD7175 | T315 | 3330 | 2440 | 2720 | 2950 |
| BBR (°C) | —– | —– | —– | -12 | -6 | 0 | -12 |
| Stiffness Mpa | 300 Mpa Max | D6648 | T313 | 266 | 206 | 176 | 234 |
| m-value | 0.03 Min | D6648 | T313 | 0.309 | 0.32 | 0.35 | 0.3 |
Supplier of Performance Grade Bitumen
AT RAHA Bitumen Co., We are Supplier of Performance Grade Bitumen in different ranges. We can Export to Across the world, Such as East Asia and Africa.
in East Asia can be supply including:
- China
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Indonesia
- Cambodia
In Africa can be Export such as:
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Ghana
- Nigeria
- Ethiopia
- Uganda
- South Africa
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Djibouti
- Mozambique
