Description of Oxidized Bitumen 85/25
Oxidized Bitumen 85/25, also known as Blown Asphalt 85/25 or Oxidized Asphalt 85/25, is a hard industrial bitumen. It is produced by passing air through a soft penetration-grade bitumen feedstock at temperatures of roughly 230–280 °C. During air-blowing, oxidation and polymerisation reactions convert part of the lighter, oily components into larger asphaltene molecules. This changes the bitumen’s internal structure from a free-flowing liquid to a stiff, rubbery gel.
The result is a grade that combines a high softening point with low penetration. Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 stays firm under heat and load, resists flow on vertical and sloped surfaces, and keeps a degree of elasticity that paving-grade bitumen does not have.
What Does 85/25 Mean?
Like all oxidized bitumen grades, 85/25 is named after the midpoints of its two main specifications:
85 stands for the softening point range of 80–90 °C, measured by the Ring and Ball method (ASTM D36).
25 stands for the penetration range of 20–30, in units of 0.1 mm at 25 °C (ASTM D5).
85/25 has the same softening point range as Oxidized Bitumen 85/35 but lower penetration. This makes it noticeably harder and more resistant to indentation and creep. In return, it is less flexible at low temperatures than softer grades such as Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 .
Its gel structure also gives 85/25 a high penetration index (PI). In other words, its consistency changes far less between hot and cold conditions than that of road bitumen.
Why Source Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 from Raha Oil?
Raha Oil exports Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 from Jebel Ali, Dubai, to industrial buyers, waterproofing manufacturers and contractors across the Middle East, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. Every batch is checked against the technical data sheet below and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis (COA), MSDS, packing list and Certificate of Origin. Packing is available in Kraft paper bags, polyamide bags, carton boxes and steel drums. To request a quotation, contact our sales team .
Applications of Oxidized Bitumen 85/25
Its hardness and resistance to flow make Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 a preferred choice where a firm, durable bituminous layer is needed:
Pipe coating: anti-corrosion coating for steel pipelines and fittings, usually applied hot with glass-fibre or felt reinforcement.
Pipeline joint mastic: a base component of bituminous marine mastic used to protect oil and gas pipeline field joints.
Joint and crack sealing: sealing saw cuts, construction joints and cracks in concrete where only limited movement is expected.
Waterproofing and roofing: hot-applied waterproofing layers, coating of roofing felts and damp-proofing of foundations and basements.
Adhesives: bonding thermal insulation boards and fixing parquet and wooden flooring.
Automotive industry: underbody coatings and sound-damping pads that protect vehicles against water, dust and noise.
Electrical industry: filling and sealing compounds for cable joints and junction boxes.
Pile slip layers: bituminous slip coatings on foundation piles that reduce negative skin friction.
Application Guidelines
Melt Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 slowly in a suitable kettle until it reaches a fluid working consistency. Do not exceed the maximum heating temperature given in the handling section below. Surfaces must be dry, clean and free of dust, loose particles, oil, curing compounds and laitance. On concrete and masonry, apply a bitumen primer such as Bitumen Primer D41 first to improve adhesion.
Properties and Advantages of Blown Asphalt 85/25
Hard, stable consistency: low penetration (20–30) gives high resistance to indentation, creep and mechanical damage.
High softening point (80–90 °C): no sagging or flow on sun-exposed or vertical surfaces.
Low temperature sensitivity: a high penetration index keeps its performance consistent across seasons.
Waterproof barrier: forms a dense, impermeable layer against water and moisture.
Good adhesion: bonds firmly to steel, concrete, felts and insulation materials.
Corrosion and chemical resistance: protects metal surfaces and resists water, salts, and dilute acids and alkalis.
Low loss on heating: remains stable during melting and hot application.
Choosing between grades: if your application needs more flexibility, consider Oxidized Bitumen 85/35 . For harder, high-temperature uses, see Oxidized Bitumen 90/15 or Oxidized Bitumen 115/15. You can also compare all grades on our Oxidized Bitumen page .
Storage and Handling Guidelines for Oxidized Bitumen 85/25
Storing the product:
Keep packed Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 under cover, in a cool, dry and ventilated warehouse. Protect it from direct sun, rain and ignition sources.
Store bags, cartons and drums on pallets rather than directly on the floor. In hot regions, avoid excessive stacking so the bottom layers do not deform.
Leave the material in its original packing until it is needed, to keep out moisture, dust and other contamination.
Melting the product safely:
Bitumen transfers heat slowly, so the way it is melted directly affects both safety and final quality.
Cut or break the blocks into smaller pieces before charging the kettle. This spreads the heat evenly and avoids overheating at the bottom and walls of the vessel.
Raise the temperature gradually, and never heat above 230 °C. Excessive temperature cracks the bitumen and releases flammable low-flash vapours, which create a fire risk well below the product’s rated flash point.
Avoid letting a melted batch cool and harden in the kettle and then reheating it. Restarting from solid can create local hot spots and trapped vapour pockets under pressure.
Position thermometers or temperature probes near the heating surface. Readings taken far from the burner can underestimate the real temperature by a large margin.
Never allow water to come into contact with hot bitumen, as it can cause sudden foaming and boil-over.
Keep heating time as short as possible. Long or repeated heating hardens the bitumen further and shifts it out of specification.
Health and Safety Precautions
Protective equipment: operators handling hot bitumen should wear heat-resistant gloves, safety goggles or a full face shield, long-sleeved flame-retardant clothing and safety boots.
Fumes and ventilation: ensure good ventilation and avoid inhaling fumes. Hot bitumen may release hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), particularly inside tanks and confined spaces.
First aid for burns: cool burned skin immediately with cold running water for at least 15 minutes. Do not pull hardened bitumen off the skin. Get medical help.
Cleaning: clean tools and equipment with an approved industrial bitumen cleaner, away from heat and flames. Gasoline (petrol) must never be used for cleaning.
Firefighting: use foam, dry chemical powder or CO₂. Never direct a water jet at hot or burning bitumen.
The full Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 is available from our sales team .
Packing and Shipping of Oxidized Bitumen 85/25
Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 is a solid product, which makes it easy to pack, store and ship. Raha Oil offers four export packing types, so buyers can choose based on their melting equipment, site conditions and budget. Bags can be palletised, with 40 bags per pallet, or loaded loose into 20ft containers.
Kraft Paper Bags – 20 kg and 50 kg
Strong multi-layer Kraft paper bags lined with a silicone release coating, so the solid bitumen separates cleanly from the paper. This is the most cost-effective option and the most common choice for oxidized bitumen exports. The paper is peeled away before the bitumen is melted.
Polyamide Bags – 20 kg and 50 kg
Heat-resistant polyamide bags are filled with molten bitumen and cooled rapidly in water. The durable film seals the product against moisture and dust and keeps the bags from sticking together in transit.
Carton Boxes – 25 kg
The bitumen is cast into lined carton moulds, where it sets into neat, uniform blocks. Cartons stack well, keep their shape in high temperatures and are simple to handle and count on site. The carton is torn off at destination. This is a premium packing option.
Steel Drums – 150 kg, 180 kg and 200 kg
Sealed steel drums provide the strongest protection against moisture, contamination and damage on long sea routes and during extended storage. The number of drums per container depends on the drum size chosen.
For details on each packing type, visit our bitumen packaging page . To discuss loading plans, Incoterms or custom packing, contact our sales team .
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Oxidized Bitumen 85/25, also known as Blown Asphalt 85/25, is a hard industrial bitumen made by air-blowing a soft penetration-grade bitumen at high temperature. It has a softening point of 80–90 °C and a penetration of 20–30, which makes it firm, stable under heat and highly water resistant.
85 is the midpoint of the softening point range (80–90 °C, ASTM D36), and 25 is the midpoint of the penetration range (20–30 × 0.1 mm at 25 °C, ASTM D5). A lower second number means a harder bitumen.
Typical uses include anti-corrosion pipe coating, pipeline joint mastic, sealing of joints and cracks in concrete, hot-applied waterproofing and roofing felts, adhesives for insulation and parquet, automotive underbody and sound-damping compounds, electrical cable joint compounds, and slip layers for foundation piles.
All three grades have the same softening point range (80–90 °C). The difference is penetration: 85/25 (20–30) is the hardest and most resistant to indentation and creep, while 85/35 (30–40) and 85/40 are softer and more flexible, especially at low temperatures.
No. Oxidized bitumen is designed for industrial, waterproofing and coating applications, not asphalt road mixes. For road construction, penetration-grade bitumen such as Bitumen 60/70 is used.
Break the material into smaller pieces and heat it gradually in a suitable kettle until it is fluid. Do not exceed 230 °C, keep water away from hot bitumen, and avoid repeated reheating, which can change the product’s specifications.
Raha Oil supplies 85/25 in 20 kg and 50 kg Kraft paper bags, 20 kg and 50 kg polyamide bags, 25 kg carton boxes, and 150 kg, 180 kg and 200 kg steel drums. Bags can be palletised (40 bags per pallet) or loaded loose in 20ft containers.
We ship from Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE, to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia. Each shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA), MSDS, packing list and Certificate of Origin.
| Property | Test Method | Unit | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity @ 25/25 °C | ASTM D70 | — | 1.05 approx. |
| Penetration @ 25 °C100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 20 – 30 |
| Softening PointRing & Ball | ASTM D36 | °C | 80 – 90 |
| Ductility @ 25 °C | ASTM D113 | cm | 3 min |
| Loss on Heating | ASTM D6 | wt % | 0.2 max |
| Flash PointCleveland Open Cup | ASTM D92 | °C | 250 min |
| Solubility in CS2 | ASTM D4 | wt % | 99.5 min |
| Spot Test | AASHTO T102 | — | Negative |
Why Choose Raha Oil for Oxidized Bitumen 85/25
Raha Oil manufactures Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 from Dubai, UAE, with production and testing following ASTM standards. Quality is verified through internal testing before every shipment, with full documentation — including TDS, COA, and MSDS — provided on request.
With flexible packing — from 20 kg Kraft bags to 200 kg steel drums, including palletized options — and an established export track record across the GCC, Africa, and Asia, Raha Oil supports both trial orders and large-scale industrial supply requirements for this specialized hard grade.
Get Oxidized Bitumen Export Quote
Looking for a reliable Oxidized Bitumen supplier in UAE?
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