Softening point and Penetration Behaviors of Bituminous Blends

Depending on the application, bitumens are of different compositions and physico-chemical properties. In industry, different bitumen grade products from blowing of vacuum bottoms. But it is seen that some of these bitumens haven’t standard characters. In this study we try to improve these bitumens. In this direction their softening point and penetration grades behaviors was studied. Here, air-blown 110/10 bitumen with 85/100 penetration grade and heavy-vacuum slops (HVS) cut was mixed with different contents. The results show the linear variation of softening point with the asphaltenes’ content, whereas its penetration varies exponentially. We attributed this difference to behavior of the shear forces applied during the tests and were account for via the bitumen viscosity and cohesive energy acting between asphaltenes. Finally, 60/70, 85/25 and 90/15 bitumens was achieved via physical mixing of these compound.

Softening point and Penetration Behaviors of Bituminous Blends Keywords:

H.V.S. , 110/10 bitumen , 85/100 bitumen , softening point , penetration grade , viscosity , cohesive energy