BITUMEN 20/30 | HARDEST PENETRATION GRADE
Bitumen Penetration 20/30 is the hardest paving grade bitumen offered by Raha Oil. Its high softening point and sensitivity to low-temperature cracking make it best suited for the binder and base courses of high-stiffness asphalt concrete in regions with appropriate climate conditions.
Because of its hardness, pavement courses using Bitumen 20/30 should not be left exposed over extended periods without being covered by the next asphalt layer. This grade is commonly specified for major highways and heavy-duty pavements requiring high structural stiffness.
PROPERTIES OF PENETRATION GRADE 20/30
Bitumen Penetration 20/30 supplied by Raha Oil is pure petroleum-grade bitumen, manufactured from vacuum bottom residue through controlled processing with hot air. It has a penetration value between 20 and 30 (0.1 mm) and a softening point between 53°C and 65°C.
Like other penetration grades, Bitumen 20/30 has a thermoplastic property similar to synthetic resin — softening when heated and hardening when cooled. Penetration grade bitumens are classified through penetration and softening point testing, and their temperature-stiffness relationship depends on the source crude oil and refining method. Compared to other grades, Bitumen 20/30 has notably strong viscosity, consistent with its classification as the hardest penetration grade.
THE 4 MAJOR TESTS OF BITUMEN 20/30
- Penetration Test: Measures the hardness or softness of bitumen by the depth, in tenths of a millimeter, that a standard loaded needle penetrates vertically in 5 seconds under standard test conditions. A grade of 20/30 means the penetration value falls between 20 and 30 — the narrowest and hardest range among common penetration grades.
- Softening Point Test: Identifies the temperature at which bitumen reaches a specified degree of softening, measured using the Ring and Ball apparatus. Bitumen 20/30 has one of the highest softening points among penetration grades, reflecting its resistance to deformation under heat.
- Ductility Test: Measures bitumen’s ability to undergo deformation or elongation without breaking, expressed as the distance in centimeters a standard sample can be stretched.
- Viscosity Test: Measures bitumen’s resistance to flow at application temperature. Bitumen 20/30 has notably high viscosity compared to softer grades, which directly affects mixing and compaction requirements during asphalt production.
BITUMEN 20/30 VS. OTHER PENETRATION GRADES
Bitumen 20/30 is the hardest standard penetration grade available, positioned at the opposite end of the spectrum from soft grades like 100/150 or 200/300. Compared to widely used mid-range grades such as 60/70 or 50/70, Bitumen 20/30 offers significantly higher resistance to deformation and rutting under heavy loads, but with reduced flexibility at low temperatures.
This trade-off makes Bitumen 20/30 the preferred choice for high-stiffness base and binder courses in hot climates or under very heavy traffic loads, while softer grades remain better suited to surface courses or regions with greater temperature variation. Selecting the correct grade depends on local climate, traffic volume, and pavement design requirements.
CLIMATE AND REGIONAL SUITABILITY
Because of its high softening point and hardness, Bitumen 20/30 performs best in regions with consistently warm to hot climates, where softer grades would be more prone to rutting and permanent deformation under heavy traffic. It is less suitable for regions with cold winters or significant freeze-thaw cycles, where its low-temperature cracking sensitivity becomes a limiting factor.
Raha Oil supplies Bitumen 20/30 primarily to markets across Asia and the Middle East, where climate conditions and heavy-duty infrastructure projects align well with this grade’s performance characteristics.
GUARANTY AND SAFETY OF BITUMEN 20/30
Raha Oil guarantees the quality of Bitumen Penetration 20/30 through international inspection arrangements that verify quality and quantity during vessel loading, alongside internal QC batch testing before shipment. Our company guarantees the quality to meet ASTM and European Standard DIN EN 12591 requirements.
STORAGE AND HANDLING RECOMMENDATIONS
Store Bitumen 20/30 in unopened containers. Storage temperature limits should be maintained between 1°C and 50°C for normal handling. For operations such as blending and transferring liquid bitumen, temperatures of 10°C to 40°C above the minimum pumping temperature are recommended.
WHY CHOOSE RAHA OIL FOR BITUMEN 20/30
Raha Oil supplies Bitumen 20/30 from Jebel Ali, UAE, with quality verified through international inspection during vessel loading and internal QC batch testing before every shipment. Our production meets both ASTM and European EN 12591 standards, giving customers flexibility to meet local specification requirements.
With flexible packing options — from 180 kg drums to full bulk vessel loads — and a track record of exports across Asia, Raha Oil is positioned to support both small trial orders and large-scale infrastructure projects requiring consistent, high-quality hard-grade bitumen.
PACKING OF BITUMEN GRADE 20/30
Bitumen packaging is a real concern, especially for export shipments — proper packaging guarantees safer delivery of the cargo. Packaging options vary depending on tonnage, type, and grade, since different bitumen grades have different levels of stiffness and viscosity. Bitumen 20/30 is commonly packed in new steel drums (150, 180, and 220 kg barrels), Jumbo Bags, or 300 kg Bitubags.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FAQ
Bitumen 20/30 is the hardest penetration grade, used mainly in the binder and base courses of high-stiffness asphalt concrete for major highways and heavy-duty pavements.
Bitumen 20/30 has a penetration value of 20–30 (0.1 mm) and a softening point of 53–65°C, as confirmed by EN 1426 and EN 1427 testing.
Because of its hardness and sensitivity to low-temperature cracking, pavement courses using Bitumen 20/30 should be covered with the next asphalt layer promptly rather than left exposed over extended periods.
Raha Oil supplies Bitumen 20/30 in new steel drums (150–220 kg), 1 MT and 500 kg jumbo bags, 300 kg Bitubags, and bulk/tanker loads.
Bitumen 20/30 — Technical Data Sheet
EN 12591 Standard| Property | Test Method | Unit | Specification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration – 25°C, 100g, 5s | EN 1426 | 0.1 mm | 20–30 | |
| Softening Point (Ring & Ball) | EN 1427 | °C | 53–65 | |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 135°C | EN 12595 | mm²/s | 530 min | |
| Solubility | EN 12592 | % | 99 min | |
| Flash Point (Cleveland Open) | EN 22592 | °C | 240 min | |
| Resistance to Hardening at 163°C | ||||
| Change in Mass (m/m) | EN 12607-1 | % | 0.5 max | |
| Retained Penetration (% of original) | EN 1426 | % | 55 min | |
| Increase in Softening Point | EN 1427 | °C | 8 max | |
GET BITUMEN 20/30 EXPORT QUOTE
Looking for a reliable Bitumen 20/30 supplier in UAE?
RAHA Oil provides competitive FOB and CFR export prices for Bitumen 20/30 with worldwide shipment support from Jebel Ali ports.
- Steel Drum Packing
- Jumbo Bag Packing
- Bitutainer Shipment
- Bulk Vessel Supply
- SGS Inspection Available
- Worldwide Export Support
Contact our export team today for updated prices and shipment schedules.
