What is Oxidized Bitumen 85/40?
Oxidized Bitumen 85/40, also known as blown bitumen 85/40 or blown asphalt 85/40, is an industrial grade of bitumen with a softening point of about 85°C and a penetration of about 40 dmm at 25°C. It is produced by blowing hot air through penetration grade bitumen 60/70 under controlled temperature, which makes the bitumen harder, less sensitive to temperature and more resistant to weathering.
The grade name comes from these two values: “85” is the midpoint of the softening point in °C (Ring and Ball method, ASTM D36), and “40” is the midpoint of the penetration in 0.1 mm (ASTM D5). Among oxidized grades, 85/40 is one of the softer and more flexible options, which is why it is widely used for waterproofing, roofing and coating applications.
Raha Oil supplies Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 from Dubai, UAE, in bags, carton boxes and steel drums, with third-party inspection available and export to markets across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
Uses and Applications of Oxidized Bitumen 85/40
Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 is an industrial grade of blown bitumen produced by passing controlled hot air through penetration grade bitumen (typically 60/70) at high temperature. This oxidation process raises the softening point to around 85°C while keeping a penetration of about 40 dmm, giving a material that stays firm in hot weather but remains flexible enough to resist cracking.
Compared with harder grades such as Oxidized Bitumen 85/25 or 115/15, the 85/40 grade is softer and more elastic. This makes it a preferred choice where adhesion and flexibility matter more than maximum hardness. Its main uses include:
– Hot bonding of waterproofing membranes and roofing felts
– Production of bituminous membranes and roll sheets
– Pipe coating and corrosion protection of steel structures
– Mastics, sealants and joint filling compounds
– Damp-proofing of foundations, basements and water tanks
– Sound-deadening and undercoating in the automotive industry
– Asphalt-based paints, adhesives and insulating compounds
For application, Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 is broken into smaller pieces and melted in a boiler at approximately 200–230°C until it flows freely. It should never be heated above 230°C, as overheating can change its properties and create a fire risk.
Advantages of Oxidized Bitumen 85/40
The air-blowing process gives Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 a set of properties that ordinary paving bitumen cannot offer. It is pure petroleum bitumen, produced without Gilsonite or other additives, and its softening point and penetration conform to ASTM D36 and ASTM D5.
– Strong, long-lasting adhesion to metal, concrete and membrane surfaces
– Excellent water resistance and very low water absorption
– Good flexibility and impact resistance, even at low temperatures
– Stable at high service temperatures without flowing or softening
– Chemically stable and resistant to soil stress and weathering
– High electrical resistance, suitable for insulating applications
Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 vs Paving Grade Bitumen 60/70
| Property | Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 | Paving Bitumen 60/70 |
|---|---|---|
| Softening point (°C) | 80–90 | 46–56 |
| Penetration @ 25°C (dmm) | 35–45 | 60–70 |
| Temperature susceptibility | Low | Higher |
| Physical state at ambient temperature | Firm, semi-solid | Soft, viscous |
| Main use | Waterproofing, roofing, coating | Road asphalt |
Because of its higher softening point and lower temperature susceptibility, Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 keeps its shape and protective function in hot climates, while 60/70 is designed to be mixed with aggregates for road paving.
Handling and Storage of Oxidized Bitumen 85/40
Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 is usually delivered as solid blocks in bags, cartons or drums and is melted on site before use. Because bitumen is a poor conductor of heat, careful temperature control during melting is essential for both safety and product quality.
– Break the material into smaller pieces before placing it in the boiler, so it heats evenly and avoids local overheating.
– Melt at approximately 200–230°C and never exceed the maximum safe handling temperature of 230°C.
– Do not leave melted bitumen to cool in the boiler and then reheat it from cold, as this can create trapped pockets of flammable vapor.
– Place thermometers close to the heat source; readings taken far from it can differ greatly from the real temperature.
– Store packed material in a dry, covered and shaded area, away from direct heat and open flames.
Health and Safety
Workers should wear heat-resistant gloves, safety goggles and protective masks when handling hot bitumen, and work in a well-ventilated area. Tools and equipment can be cleaned with kerosene or a suitable solvent. For full safety information, please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), available on request from our sales team.
Packing of Oxidized Bitumen 85/40
Raha Oil supplies Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 in several packing types to suit different shipping routes and on-site handling needs. All bagged and boxed material can be palletized and shrink-wrapped for safe container loading.
| Packing Type | Net Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kraft Paper Bags | 20 / 25 / 40 kg | Most common export packing |
| Meltable Polyamide Bags | 20 / 25 kg | Melts with the bitumen, no bag removal needed |
| Carton Boxes | 20 / 25 / 40 kg | Easy stacking and handling |
| Steel Drums | 150 / 180 / 200 kg | For long transit and hot climates |
Container loading: 40 bags of 25 kg are stacked on each pallet (about 1 MT per pallet), and 20 pallets can be loaded into a 20ft container, giving approximately 20 MT per container. Custom packing and private labeling are available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
The first number (85) is the softening point in °C measured by the Ring and Ball method (ASTM D36), and the second number (40) is the penetration at 25°C in 0.1 mm (ASTM D5). Both values are midpoints of the specified range: softening point 80–90°C and penetration 35–45
It is mainly used for waterproofing, hot bonding of roofing membranes and felts, pipe coating and corrosion protection, mastics and sealants, damp-proofing of foundations, and automotive undercoating.
Both have a softening point of about 85°C, but 85/40 has a higher penetration (about 40 vs 25), which makes it softer and more flexible. 85/40 is preferred where flexibility and adhesion are important, while 85/25 is harder and better suited to applications needing more stiffness.
It is usually melted in a boiler at about 200–230°C. It should never be heated above 230°C, as overheating can change its properties and create a fire risk.
Raha Oil supplies 85/40 in kraft paper or meltable polyamide bags, carton boxes and steel drums of 150, 180 and 200 kg. Bags and cartons are palletized for safe container loading
The minimum order is usually one 20ft container. Mixed loads of different oxidized grades can be arranged on request.
Yes. Every shipment comes with a Certificate of Analysis (COA), and third-party inspection by SGS or other agencies is available at the loading port.
Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 — Technical Data Sheet
ASTM Standard| Property | Test Method | Unit | Specification | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific Gravity @ 25/25°C | ASTM D70 | – | 1.05 approx | |
| Penetration @ 25°C | ASTM D5 | 0.1 mm | 35–45 | |
| Softening Point (Ring & Ball) | ASTM D36 | °C | 80–90 | |
| Ductility @ 25°C | ASTM D113 | cm | 3 min | |
| Loss on Heating (wt) | ASTM D6 | % | 0.2 max | |
| Flash Point (COC) | ASTM D92 | °C | 260 min | |
| Solubility in CS2 (wt) | ASTM D4 | % | 99 min | |
| Spot Test | AASHTO T102 | – | Negative | |
Source: Raha Group official Technical Data Sheet, Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 (ASTM standard). Values represent standard product specification; actual batch results are confirmed via Certificate of Analysis (COA) issued with each shipment.
Export Terms for Oxidized Bitumen 85/40
Raha Oil exports Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 from the UAE to industrial buyers, waterproofing manufacturers and trading companies across Africa, the GCC, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
– Loading Port: Jebel Ali (UAE) / Mersin (Turkey)
– Delivery Terms: FOB, CFR, CIF
– Packing: Kraft or polyamide bags, carton boxes, steel drums
– Inspection: SGS or other third-party inspection at the loading port
– Documents: COA, TDS, MSDS, Bill of Lading, Packing List, Certificate of Origin
– Minimum Order: 1 x 20ft container
Why Buy Oxidized Bitumen 85/40 from Raha Oil?
Raha Oil is a Dubai-based bitumen supplier with a full range of oxidized grades, from 75/25 to 150/5, so buyers can source several grades in one shipment. Every batch is tested against ASTM standards and shipped with a Certificate of Analysis, and third-party inspection is available before loading.
Our export team handles packing, container stuffing, customs clearance and vessel booking, and provides shipment updates until delivery. We have supplied oxidized bitumen to markets such as the Philippines, as well as bitumen and petrochemical products to more than 30 countries.
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