What Is Cutback Bitumen?

Adding certain amounts of petroleum distillates such as kerosene to the Bitumen will results in “Cutback Bitumen”. This is done to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen temporarily so that it can penetrate pavements more efficiently and/or to allow spraying at temperatures that are too cold for successful sprayed sealing with neat bitumen. The materials used for cutback bitumen will evaporate after application to leave the remaining material similar in hardness to the original bitumen.

BITUMEN MC 30
BITUMEN MC 30
Characteristic Value Test Method
Kinematic Viscosity at 60°C (cSt) 30-60 ASTM D-2170
Flash Point (top open cup)(°C) 38 min ASTM D-3143
Distillate, %volume of total distillate to at 360°C:
To 225°C
To 260°C
To 316°C
25 max
40-70
75-93
ASTM D-402
Residue from Distillation to 360°C (%Vol by difference) 50 min
Test on Residue from Distillation
Viscosity at 60°C 30-120 ASTM D-2170
Penetration at 25°C (dmm) 120-250 ASTM D-5
Ductility at 25°C (cm) 100 min ASTM D-113
Solubility in Trichloroethylene (%wt) 99 min ASTM D-2042
Water Content (%vol) 0.2 max ASTM D-95

BITUMEN MC 70
BITUMEN MC 70
Characteristic Value Test Method
Kinematic Viscosity@ 60°C  (cSt) 70-140 ASTM D-2170
Flash Point (Top open cup)(°C) 38 min ASTM D-3143
Distillate, %volume of total distillate to @ 360°C:
to 225°C
to 260°C
to 316°C
20 max
20-60
65-90
ASTM D-402
Residue from Distillation to 360°C  (%Vol by difference) 55 min ASTM D-402
Test on Residue from Distillation
Viscosity@ 60°C  (cSt) 30-120 ASTM D-2170
Penetration @ 25°C (dmm) 120-250 ASTM D-5
Ductility @ 25°C (cm) 100 min ASTM D-113
Solubility in Trichloroethylene (%wt) 99 min ASTM D-2042
Water Content (%vol) 0.2 max ASTM D-95

BITUMEN MC 800
BITUMEN MC 800
Characteristic Value Test Method
Kinematic Viscosity@ 60°C (cSt) 800-1600 ASTM D-2170
Flash Point (top open cup)(°C) 66 min ASTM D-3143
Water Content (%vol) 0.2 max ASTM D-95
Distillate, %volume of total distillate to @ 360°C:
to 225°C
to 260°C
to 316°C

0-35
45-80
ASTM D-402
Residue from Distillation to 360°C  (%Vol by difference) 75 min ASTM D-402

Test on Residue from Distillation

Penetration @ 25°C (dmm) 120-250 ASTM D-5
Ductility @ 25°C  (cm) 100 min ASTM D-113
Solubility in Trichloroethylene (%wt) 99 min ASTM D-2042

BITUMEN MC 3000
BITUMEN MC 3000
Characteristic Value Test Method
Kinematic Viscosity at 60 °C (cSt) 3000-6000 ASTM D-2170
Flash Point (top open cup)(°C) 66 min ASTM D-3143
Distillate, %Volume of Total Distillate to at 360°C:
To 225°C
To 260°C
To 316°C

0-15
15-75
ASTM D-402
Residue from Distillation to 360°C  (%Vol by difference) 80 min ASTM D-402
Test on Residue from Distillation
Viscosity at 60°C 30-120 ASTM D-2170
Penetration at 25°C  (dmm) 120-250 ASTM D-5
Ductility at 25°C  (cm) 100 min ASTM D-113
Solubility in Trichloroethylene (%wt) 99 min ASTM D-2042
Water Content (%vol) 0.2 max ASTM D-95

Packing

  • Drum 208 litr (0.8 mm Thickness )

Application of Cutback Bitumen

    • Prime and Tack Coating

      The process of priming involves applying a low viscosity binder to a prepared but usually unbound aggregate base. It is intended to be absorbed by the top layers of the base and provide a surface more easily ‘wetted’ by a subsequent bituminous covering. The primer will be able to carry traffic for a short time (although this practice is uncommon) and help control dust. Generally, primers are applied at rates between 0.5 and 1.4 L/m2. Priming-suitable cutback bitumen are also used for tack coats, which are applied to an underlying surface to help with the adhesion of subsequent asphalt layer. A typical application rate is between 0.2 and 0.4 L/m2.

    • Prime Sealing

      Where temperatures are too cold for an effective priming operation, or where traffic is likely to distress a primed surface before the final seal can be sprayed, a primer seal can be used to provide adequate protection of the pavement for periods of up to 6 to 12 months. Cutback bitumen suitable for primer sealing can also be used in the production of pre-mix asphalt, which is used in patch repairs.

    • Spray Sealing

      Cutback bitumen are used more usually in sprayed sealing applications, particularly in colder temperature where they provide improved initial stone retention due to their lower viscosity. Typically, a single application of the appropriate cutback bitumen is sprayed onto the primed pavement onto which aggregate is laid.

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