BITUMEN 30/40 SUPPLIER IN THE UAE
Bitumen 30/40 is a standard penetration grade bitumen (ASTM D946M), commonly used as a paving grade binder for road and airport construction and the production of high-performance asphalt pavements. This grade is primarily used in hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses.
Penetration grade bitumen is produced from vacuum residue, processed in a fully automated Bitumen Blowing Unit that ensures a consistent, homogeneous finished product. Through controlled processing of the vacuum bottom material, Raha Oil produces Bitumen 30/40 with a penetration value between 30 and 40 (0.1 mm), as verified by penetration and softening point testing.
Like other penetration grades, Bitumen 30/40 has a thermoplastic property — softening at high temperatures and hardening at lower temperatures — making it one of the most widely used asphalt grades for paving construction.
USAGE OF BITUMEN 30/40
Bitumen 30/40 provides strong adhesion between aggregate and binder, resulting in stable, durable roads and pavements that resist deformation from seasonal temperature variation. As a residual product of crude oil distillation, it offers reliable long-term performance under continuous traffic loads.
This grade is relatively economical, with lower production and repair costs compared to alternative paving materials, while still meeting the performance demands of heavy-traffic roads and airport pavements. Pigments can be added during processing for color-variant applications, and its resistance to de-icing materials helps maintain road condition in colder climates.
Bitumen 30/40 also allows for stage construction — a practical advantage for projects with budget constraints or roads experiencing traffic loads greater than originally estimated. Compared to many alternative construction materials, it remains among the more energy-efficient options for large-scale paving projects.
PROPERTIES OF GRADE 30/40
Bitumen Penetration 30/40 supplied by Raha Oil is produced from vacuum residue (short residue) feedstock. Penetration grade bitumens are classified through penetration and softening point testing, and they exhibit a thermoplastic property — softening at high temperatures and hardening at low temperatures. This temperature-stiffness relationship depends on the source crude oil and the refining method used.
Grade 30/40 is a semi-hard penetration bitumen, well-suited as a paving-grade binder for road construction and repair, as well as for asphalt pavement production meeting standard technical specifications. It is primarily used in the manufacture of hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses.
APPLICATION OF PENETRATION 30/40
Bitumen Penetration 30/40 is suitable for road construction and repair, producing asphalt pavements with superior performance characteristics. It is widely used in hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses, along with several other applications:
Road Construction: Serves as a binder in the asphalt mix, providing durability and flexibility to the road surface. Its penetration value influences the bitumen’s ability to adhere to and coat aggregates.
Asphalt Emulsions: Used to produce water-based bitumen dispersions applied in road maintenance activities, including surface treatments, tack coats, and chip seals.
Roofing: Used in manufacturing roofing felt and shingles, providing waterproofing and weatherproofing protection for buildings.
Waterproofing: Applied as a waterproofing agent for basements, foundations, and retaining walls, forming a durable and impermeable barrier against water infiltration.
Pipe Coating: Used to coat pipes in the oil and gas industry, providing corrosion resistance and insulation that protects pipelines from environmental elements.
Pavement Sealants: Applied to existing asphalt surfaces to enhance durability and protect against weathering and aging.
Adhesives and Binders: A key component in adhesives and binders, providing bonding strength across various applications.
Soundproofing: Used in soundproofing materials for buildings and infrastructure, helping absorb sound and reduce noise transmission.
Construction Mastics: Used in flexible, adhesive compounds for sealing joints and cracks in construction.
The specific application of penetration grade 30/40 can vary based on regional specifications, climate conditions, and project requirements, with its penetration value influencing hardness and suitability for different uses.
THE 4 MAJOR TESTS OF BITUMEN 30/40
- 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 30/40 means the penetration value falls between 30 and 40. In hot climates, a lower penetration grade is generally preferred.
- Softening Point Test: Identifies the temperature at which bitumen reaches a specified degree of softening, measured using the Ring and Ball apparatus. Temperature is recorded when the softened bitumen touches a metal plate at a specified distance below. A higher softening point generally indicates lower temperature susceptibility, which is preferred in hot climates.
- 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. This property significantly influences the strength of paving mixes — both low and high viscosity during compaction or mixing can reduce mix stability.
GUARANTY AND SAFETY OF BITUMEN 30/40
Raha Oil guarantees the quality of Bitumen Penetration Grade 30/40 through international inspection arrangements that verify quality and quantity during vessel loading, alongside internal QC batch testing before shipment. All shipments are guaranteed to meet ASTM standards.
PACKING OF BITUMEN GRADE 30/40
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 30/40 is commonly packed in new steel drums (150, 180, and 220 kg barrels), Jumbo Bags, or 300 kg Bitubags.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FAQ
Bitumen 30/40 is a semi-hard penetration grade used mainly in road and airport construction, particularly in hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses. It is also used in asphalt emulsions, roofing, waterproofing, and pipe coating.
Bitumen 30/40 has a penetration value of 30–40 (0.1 mm) and a softening point of 55–63°C, as confirmed by ASTM D5 and ASTM D36 testing.
Yes. As a semi-hard penetration grade, Bitumen 30/40 offers good resistance to deformation under heat and heavy traffic, making it a suitable choice for hot climates and high-traffic roads.
Raha Oil supplies Bitumen 30/40 in bulk/tanker, new steel drums (150–220 kg), 1 MT jumbo bags, and 300 kg Bitubags, depending on shipment volume and destination requirements.
Bitumen 30/40 — Technical Data Sheet
ASTM Standard| Property | Test Method | Unit | Specification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity @ 25/25°C | ASTM D70 | kg/cm³ | 1.01–1.06 | |
| Penetration @ 25°C | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 30–40 | |
| Softening Point | ASTM D36 | °C | 55–63 | |
| Ductility @ 25°C | ASTM D113 | cm | 100 min | |
| Loss on Heating (wt) | ASTM D6 | % | 0.2 max | |
| Drop in Penetration After Heating | ASTM D5-D6 | % | 20 max | |
| Flash Point | ASTM D92 | °C | 250 min | |
| Solubility in CS2 (wt) | ASTM D4 | % | 99.5 max | |
| Spot Test | AASHTO T102 | – | Negative | |
GET BITUMEN 30/40 EXPORT QUOTE
Looking for a reliable Bitumen 30/40 supplier in UAE?
RAHA Oil provides competitive FOB and CFR export prices for Bitumen 30/40 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.
