DESCRIPTION OF BITUMEN 30/45
As a leading bitumen supplier in the UAE, Raha Oil produces and exports Bitumen 30/45 to meet the demands of heavy-duty road construction and asphalt production across Asia and the Middle East. Sourced from Jebel Ali and refined to European Standard EN 12591, this hard penetration grade is engineered for high-stiffness pavements that must withstand heavy traffic and warm climates without deforming under load. Whether you need bulk vessel shipments or palletized drums for smaller projects, Raha Oil delivers consistent, quality-tested Bitumen 30/45 backed by international inspection at every stage of loading.
PROPERTIES OF ASPHALT 30/45
This grade of penetration bitumen supplied by Raha Oil is pure petroleum-grade bitumen, manufactured from vacuum bottom residue by passing hot air. Bitumen Penetration 30/45 has a penetration value between 30 and 45 (0.1 mm) and a softening point between 52°C and 60°C.
Bitumen Penetration 30/45 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. Bitumen 30/45 is a hard penetration grade, well-suited as a paving-grade bitumen for road construction and repair, as well as asphalt pavement production.
APPLICATION OF BITUMEN 30/45
Bitumen 30/45 is a hard penetration grade, with penetration between 30 and 45, mostly used in road construction, asphalt pavements, and the manufacture of hot mix asphalt. Bitumens with high penetration numbers are softer and mostly used in cold weather conditions, while harder bitumens with low penetration numbers are better suited to warm weather conditions.
THE 4 MAJOR TESTS OF BITUMEN 30/45
- 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 30/45 means the penetration value falls between 30 and 45.
- Softening Point Test: Identifies the temperature at which bitumen reaches a specified degree of softening, measured using the Ring and Ball apparatus. Bitumen 30/45 has a relatively high softening point (52–60°C), reflecting its resistance to deformation under heat.
- Kinematic Viscosity Test: Measures bitumen’s resistance to flow at 135°C. Bitumen 30/45 requires a minimum viscosity of 400 mm²/s, which directly affects mixing and compaction temperatures during asphalt production.
- Resistance to Hardening Test (RTFOT): Simulates the aging bitumen undergoes during hot mixing and paving. It measures the change in mass, retained penetration, and increase in softening point after exposure to heat and air, indicating how the material will perform and age over its service life.
BITUMEN 30/45 VS. OTHER PENETRATION GRADES
Bitumen 30/45 sits among the harder penetration grades, offering greater resistance to rutting and deformation than mid-range grades like 50/70 or 60/70, while remaining slightly softer and more workable than the hardest grade, 20/30. This makes it a practical choice where high stiffness is needed but the extreme hardness of 20/30 is not required.
Compared to softer grades such as 70/100 or 100/150, Bitumen 30/45 performs better under heavy traffic and high temperatures, but offers less flexibility in colder conditions. Selecting between these grades depends on local climate, expected traffic load, and pavement design requirements.
CLIMATE AND REGIONAL SUITABILITY
Bitumen 30/45 performs best in warm to hot climates and under heavy traffic loads, where its higher stiffness helps resist rutting and permanent deformation. It is less suited to regions with cold winters or significant freeze-thaw cycles, where softer grades offer better flexibility and crack resistance.
Raha Oil supplies Bitumen 30/45 primarily to markets across Asia, including India, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines, where climate conditions and heavy-duty infrastructure projects align well with this grade’s performance profile.
WHY CHOOSE RAHA OIL FOR BITUMEN 30/45
Raha Oil supplies Bitumen 30/45 from Jebel Ali, UAE, with quality verified through international inspection during vessel loading and internal QC batch testing before every shipment. Production meets European Standard EN 12591 requirements, giving customers confidence in consistent, specification-compliant quality.
With flexible packing from 180 kg drums to full bulk vessel loads and an established export record across Asia, Raha Oil supports both trial orders and large-scale infrastructure projects requiring reliable hard-grade bitumen supply.
PACKING OF BITUMEN GRADE 30/45
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 35/45 is commonly packed in new steel drums (150, 180, and 220 kg barrels), Jumbo Bags, or 300 kg Bitubags.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - FAQ
Bitumen 30/45 is a hard penetration grade used mainly in road construction, asphalt pavements, and hot mix asphalt for bases and wearing courses.
Bitumen 30/45 has a penetration value of 30–45 (0.1 mm) and a softening point of 52–60°C, as confirmed by EN 1426 and EN 1427 testing.
As a harder penetration grade, Bitumen 30/45 is better suited to warm weather conditions, while softer, higher-penetration grades are generally preferred for colder climates.
Raha Oil supplies Bitumen 30/45 in bulk/tanker, 180 kg new steel drums, 1 MT jumbo bags, and 300 kg Bitubags.
Bitumen 30/45 — Technical Data Sheet
EN 12591 Standard| Property | Test Method | Unit | Specification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration – 25°C, 100g, 5s | EN 1426 | 0.1 mm | 30–45 | |
| Softening Point (Ring & Ball) | EN 1427 | °C | 52–60 | |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 135°C | EN 12595 | mm²/s | 400 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 | % | 53 min | |
| Increase in Softening Point | EN 1427 | °C | 8 max | |
GET BITUMEN 30/45 EXPORT QUOTE
Looking for a reliable Bitumen 30/45 supplier in UAE?
RAHA Oil provides competitive FOB and CFR export prices for Bitumen 30/45 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.
