The properties of bitumen for roadmaking are specified in AS 2008: Residual Bitumen for Pavements. This Australian Standard classifies and specifies the properties of conventional pavement-grade bitumens most widely used in Australia.The following classes are most commonly used in sprayed sealing works in Australia:
- Class 170: the most commonly used class for sprayed sealing
- Class 240: higher viscosity binder (compared to C170) used by some road agencies in warm climates
- Class 320: higher viscosity binder (compared to C170 and C240) sometimes used for sprayed sealing in areas where pavement temperatures or traffic stresses were high, but has been largely superseded by PMBs and multigrade bitumen.
In New Zealand, the sealing grade bitumens are characterised by penetration grade and consist of:
- 180/200 penetration: generally used in sprayed seal work (the approximate equivalent of Class 50 bitumen which was a softer class of bitumen than Class 170 used in Australia in the past)
- 130/150 penetration: a slightly harder grade used as an alternative to 180/200 (approximate viscosity between that of Class 50 and Class 170 bitumen)
- 80/100 penetration: generally only used in sprayed seals in hotter areas or when resealing fatty or bleeding seals (the approximate equivalent of Class 170 bitumen).
Australian Standard – Viscosity Grade Bitumen Specification (AS2008-1997)
| Property | Units | Class 50 | Class 170 | Class 320 | Class 600 | Test Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity, 140°F (60°C) | Pa.s | 40-60 | 140-200 | 260-380 | 500-700 | AS 2341.2 or AS 2341.3 |
| Viscosity, 275°F (135°C) | Pa.s | 0.20-0.30 | 0.25-0.45 | 0.40-0.65 | 0.60-0.85 | AS 2341.2 or AS 2341.3 |
| Penetration, 77°F (25°C), 100g, 5sec, Min | 0.1MM | 130 | 62 | 40 | 20 | AS 2341.12 |
| Flash point, Min | °C | 250 | 250 | 250 | 250 | AS 2341.14 |
| Matter Insoluble in toluene, Max | %Wt | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | AS 2341.8 |
| Tests on residue from thin-film oven test: | ||||||
| – Viscosity, 140°F (60°C), Max | Pa.s | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | AS 2341.2 or 2341.3 |
| Density at 15°C | Kg/L | Greater than 1.0, normally 1.01 to 1.04 | AS 2341.7 | |||
Australian Standard – Viscosity Grade Bitumen Specification (AS2008-2013)
| Property | Units | Class 170 | Class 240 | Class 320 | Class 450 | Class 600 | Test Methods | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Viscosity, 140°F (60°C) | Pa.s | 140-200 | 190-280 | 260-380 | Report | 500-700 | AS/NZS 2341.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Viscosity, 275°F (135°C) | Pa.s | 0.25-0.45 | 0.32-0.55 | 0.4-0.65 | 0.70Max | 0.60-0.85 | AS 2341.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Penetration, 77°F (25°C), 100g, 5sec, Min | 0.1MM | 62 | 53 | 40 | Report | 20 | AS 2341.12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flash point, Min | °C | 250 | AS 2341.14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Matter Insoluble in toluene, Max | %Wt | 1.0 | AS/NZS 2341.20 or 2341.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Density at 15°C | Kg/m3 | Report | AS 2341.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tests on residue from thin-film oven test(RTFO): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| – Viscosity, 140°F (60°C) | Pa.s | – | – | Report | 750-1150 | – | AS/NZS 2341.10 or 2341.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| – | – | Report | 850-1300 | – | ASTM D2872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| – Viscosity of RTFO residue as % of Original | % | 300Max | 300Max | 300Max | Report | 300Max | AS/NZS 2341.10 or 2341.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 340Max | 340Max | 340Max | 340Max | 340Max | ASTM D2872 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| – Penetration at 25°C after RTFO | 0.1mm | – | – | Report | 26Min | – | AS/NZS 2341.10 or 2341.12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| – Mass Change | % | – | – | Report | 0.6 Max | – | AS/NZS 2341.10 or 2341.12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Legend: Report = no conformity criteria exist, but test results must be reported | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||