Grades

Bitumen grades and emulsions we supply.

Viscosity grades to IS 73:2013, penetration grades to your contract standard, and cationic emulsions to IS 8887.

Viscosity grade bitumen

VG10, VG30 and VG40

Viscosity grading replaced penetration grading in India. Each grade is defined by its absolute viscosity at 60°C, which reflects how the binder behaves on a hot road surface.

VG10
IS 73:2013

The softest viscosity grade

VG10 has the lowest viscosity of the three. It coats aggregate easily and stays workable at lower temperatures.

Typical uses: spraying applications and surface dressing, paving in cold regions, and as a base for emulsions and modified binders. Generally treated as the replacement for 80/100.

VG30
IS 73:2013

The standard paving grade

VG30 is the grade used for most bituminous road construction in India, including dense bituminous macadam and bituminous concrete.

Typical uses: national and state highways, city roads and other pavements carrying heavy traffic. Generally treated as the replacement for 60/70.

VG40
IS 73:2013

The hardest viscosity grade

VG40 has the highest viscosity at 60°C and resists rutting where loads are heavy, slow-moving or standing.

Typical uses: intersections, toll plazas, bus bays, truck lay-bys, expressways with heavy loads, and pavements in hot climates.

IS 73:2013 requirements for paving bitumen
PropertyVG10VG30VG40
Penetration at 25°C, 100 g, 5 s (0.1 mm), min804535
Absolute viscosity at 60°C (poise)800–12002400–36003200–4800
Kinematic viscosity at 135°C (cSt), min250350400
Flash point, Cleveland open cup (°C), min220220220
Solubility in trichloroethylene (%), min99.099.099.0
Softening point, ring and ball (°C), min404750
After RTFOT: viscosity ratio at 60°C, max4.04.04.0
After RTFOT: ductility at 25°C (cm), min754025

Values are the limits set by IS 73:2013. RTFOT is the rolling thin film oven test, which simulates ageing during mixing. Each supply is accompanied by the batch test report from the source.

Penetration grade bitumen

60/70 and 80/100

A penetration grade is named by its penetration range at 25°C, in tenths of a millimetre. These grades are specified in many export markets and on some projects. We supply them to the standard named in your order, such as EN 12591 or ASTM D946.

60/70
Penetration 60–70

Medium-hard penetration grade

A widely specified international paving grade, broadly comparable in use to VG30.

Typical uses: road construction in warm climates and export orders specified to penetration-grade standards.

80/100
Penetration 80–100

Softer penetration grade

Softer than 60/70, with better flexibility at low temperatures. Broadly comparable in use to VG10.

Typical uses: paving in cooler regions, lighter-traffic roads and surface treatments.

Bitumen emulsions

RS-1, SS-1 and MS

Cationic bitumen emulsions are bitumen dispersed in water. They are applied cold, without heating the binder, and are classified under IS 8887 by how quickly they set.

RS-1
IS 8887 · Rapid setting

Rapid setting emulsion

RS-1 breaks quickly on contact with the road surface, leaving a thin bonding film.

Typical uses: tack coat between bituminous layers, and surface dressing.

SS-1
IS 8887 · Slow setting

Slow setting emulsion

SS-1 stays stable for longer, so it can penetrate a granular base or mix with fine aggregate.

Typical uses: prime coat on granular bases (often diluted), fog seal, slurry seal and dust control.

MS
IS 8887 · Medium setting

Medium setting emulsion

MS sets at a moderate rate, giving time to mix with coarse aggregate before it breaks.

Typical uses: premix carpet with open-graded aggregate, and patch repair and maintenance work.

Choose emulsions according to your project specification and the conditions on site.

Enquiries

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