Bitumen Grade 115/15
Last updated: 2026-09-29
Bitumen Grade 115/15
Bitumen Grade 115/15 is a penetration-grade bituminous binder with a penetration value of 115 dmm (0.1 mm) at 25 °C and a softening point of approximately 15 °C above ambient reference conditions, typically expressed as a 115/15 penetration–softening point pairing under BS 3690 or equivalent national specs. It is a soft, high-penetration grade used mainly for cold climates, primer sealing, tack coats, and low-temperature flexible pavements rather than heavy traffic surface courses. In export markets, it is usually quoted in bulk (1,000 kg) or drum (180–200 kg) units, with FOB prices typically ranging USD 380–520 per metric ton depending on refinery origin, packing, and freight.
If you are sourcing, specifying, or pricing this grade, the sections below give you the numbers, the comparisons, and the handling rules you need — without the filler.
What Bitumen Grade 115/15 Actually Is (Specs & Numbers)
Penetration grade bitumen is classified by how far a standard needle sinks into a sample under fixed load, time, and temperature. Grade 115/15 sits at the soft end of the penetration scale — softer than 80/100, 60/70, or 40/50, which dominate road construction.
Core physical properties (typical values):
| Property | Standard | Typical Value for 115/15 |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration @ 25 °C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 / EN 1426 | 110–120 dmm (0.1 mm) |
| Softening point (R&B) | ASTM D36 / EN 1427 | 38–44 °C |
| Viscosity @ 60 °C | ASTM D2171 | 80–140 Pa·s |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | ASTM D92 | ≥ 220 °C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | ≥ 99.0% |
| Density @ 25 °C | ASTM D70 | 1.01–1.05 g/cm³ |
| Loss on heating (163 °C, 5 h) | ASTM D6 | ≤ 1.0% |
| Penetration after thin-film oven test | ASTM D1754 | ≥ 60% of original |
Why the "115/15" matters: The first number (115) is penetration. The second number (15) generally refers to the softening point differential or the grade's volatility/aging index depending on the issuing standard. Always confirm with your buyer's spec sheet, because "115/15" is interpreted differently across BS 3690, IS 73, and Gulf/GCC refinery datasheets.
Quick takeaway: 115/15 is roughly 2.5–3× softer than 40/50 and around 40% softer than 60/70 at 25 °C. That softness delivers superior low-temperature crack resistance but poor rutting resistance in hot weather.
Bitumen Grade 115/15 vs. Other Penetration Grades
Buyers rarely specify 115/15 in isolation — they compare it against the grades their refinery already produces. This table gives you the direct trade-off.
| Grade | Penetration @ 25 °C (dmm) | Softening Point (°C) | Best Use | Relative Cost Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115/15 | 110–120 | 38–44 | Cold climate, primer, tack coat | 1.00 (baseline) |
| 80/100 | 80–100 | 42–50 | Moderate climate roads | 1.02–1.05 |
| 60/70 | 60–70 | 48–56 | Standard paving, high traffic | 1.05–1.12 |
| 40/50 | 40–50 | 50–58 | Heavy traffic, hot climates | 1.10–1.18 |
| 30/40 | 30–40 | 55–63 | Airfield, industrial | 1.15–1.25 |
| 10/20 | 10–20 | 60–70 | Mastic, waterproofing | 1.20–1.35 |
Key comparison points:
- Temperature range: 115/15 performs best between -25 °C and +30 °C. Above 35 °C pavement temperature, rutting risk rises sharply.
- Blending flexibility: 115/15 is frequently used as a softening component in polymer-modified blends, added at 10–30% by weight to reduce the brittleness of stiffer bases.
- Yield per ton: Because it is less dense in application (lower viscosity, easier spray), 1 ton of 115/15 covers roughly 8–12% more surface area in tack coat applications than 60/70 at equal film thickness (0.3–0.5 kg/m²).
Practical rule: If your project design temperature (7-day average high) exceeds 30 °C, do not specify 115/15 for surface courses. Use it for base, primer, or cold-region work instead.
Global Supply, Pricing & Export Logistics (2024–2025 Data)
Grade 115/15 is not produced by every refinery. Supply concentrates in regions where cold-climate demand exists or where refineries run light, paraffinic crudes.
Typical export origins and pricing:
| Origin | Packing | FOB Price Range (USD/MT) | Lead Time (days) | Min. Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iran (Bandar Abbas) | New steel drum, 180 kg | 380–430 | 20–30 | 100 MT |
| UAE (Jebel Ali) | Bulk / flexitank | 430–490 | 10–20 | 500 MT |
| India (Kandla) | Bulk / drum | 400–460 | 15–25 | 200 MT |
| South Korea (Ulsan) | Bulk | 470–520 | 25–35 | 1,000 MT |
| Singapore (Jurong) | Bulk / ISO tank | 490–540 | 12–22 | 500 MT |
Price drivers:
- Crude differential: Bitumen pricing tracks vacuum residue values; a USD 5/bbl move in Brent typically shifts FOB prices by USD 20–30/MT within 2–3 weeks.
- Packing premium: Drummed cargo carries a USD 25–45/MT premium over bulk due to steel costs and slower loading.
- Freight: Asian-to-Africa or Middle East-to-Europe routes add USD 40–90/MT in ocean freight for breakbulk/drum shipments.
- Seasonality: Northern hemisphere demand peaks May–September; Q1 (Jan–March) often sees 5–10% lower prices on slower offtake.
Container vs. bulk loading:
- Flexitank in 20 ft container: 20–24 MT net; ideal for orders under 500 MT.
- ISO tank: 20–25 MT; better for high-value or spec-critical cargo.
- Drummed (180 kg): 80 drums per 20 ft = 14.4 MT net; costliest per ton but easiest for small buyers.
- Bulk vessel: 3,000–30,000 MT; lowest per-ton cost, requires heated storage at destination.
Handling note: 115/15 must be stored at 120–150 °C for pumping. Do not exceed 180 °C — thermal aging above that threshold strips penetration by more than 40% in 24 hours and can void your buyer's spec.
Applications: Where 115/15 Delivers Value
Because it stays flexible at low temperatures, 115/15 wins in specific niches. Here's where it earns its place:
Primary applications:
- Prime coat / primer sealing: Applied at 0.5–1.5 kg/m² on granular bases; penetrates 5–15 mm to bind loose aggregate before the first asphalt layer.
- Tack coat: Sprayed at 0.2–0.5 kg/m² between asphalt lifts; 115/15's low viscosity allows uniform coverage at lower temperatures than 60/70.
- Cold region surface dressing: In Scandinavia, Canada, and Central Asia, 115/15 chips seals resist thermal cracking down to -30 °C.
- Mastic and joint sealant base: Blended with filler at 25–35% bitumen content for waterproofing joints and bridge decks.
- PMA softening agent: Added at 10–30% wt. to stiff base bitumen to hit target PG grades (e.g., PG 58-28).
Where NOT to use it:
- Heavy-traffic highways (ESAL > 10 million) in hot climates.
- Airport runways or container terminals — rutting failure within 1–2 seasons.
- Any surface course where design temp exceeds 35 °C.
Cost-benefit check: For a 1 km, 7 m wide prime coat at 1.0 kg/m², you need 7 MT of 115/15. At USD 450/MT FOB, that's USD 3,150 in material — roughly 8% cheaper per square meter than using 60/70, due to better spread rate and lower heating cost.
How to Specify and Source Bitumen Grade 115/15
Getting the grade right is half the job; buying it right is the other half. Use this checklist before you issue a PO.
Specification checklist:
- Confirm penetration range (110–120 dmm tolerance ±5).
- Confirm softening point (38–44 °C).
- Request Certificate of Analysis (COA) per batch, not per shipment.
- Verify TFOT/RTFOT aged penetration retention ≥ 60%.
- Check flash point ≥ 220 °C for safe shipping.
- Confirm solubility ≥ 99.0% (rules out contamination).
- State packing clearly: bulk, flexitank, ISO tank, or 180 kg drum.
Supplier due diligence:
- Refinery vs. trader: Direct refinery supply typically saves USD 15–30/MT but demands larger MOQs.
- Payment terms: LC at sight is standard; CAD or TT advance (30/70) common for first orders under 200 MT.
- Inspection: SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas at load port — budget USD 1,000–1,500 per inspection.
- Lead time buffer: Add 7–10 days to quoted lead times for port congestion, especially in Bandar Abbas and Jebel Ali.
Common sourcing mistakes:
- Accepting "115/15" without a numeric spec sheet (standards vary by country).
- Ignoring softening point — a batch at 46 °C will fail in hot-weather primer use.
- Ordering drummed cargo when bulk would save USD 30+/MT.
- Missing the heated-storage requirement at destination — cold 115/15 cannot be pumped and must be reheated slowly over 6–12 hours.
Documentation you need: Commercial invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading, COA, MSDS, Certificate of Origin, and (for EU) REACH compliance statement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is bitumen grade 115/15 used for?
Bitumen 115/15 is a soft penetration grade used mainly for prime coats, tack coats, cold-climate surface dressing, joint sealants, and as a softening blend component for polymer-modified bitumen. It performs best in temperatures from -25 °C to +30 °C and should not be used for heavy-traffic surface courses in hot climates.
2. What is the price of bitumen grade 115/15 per ton?
FOB prices typically range from USD 380 to USD 540 per metric ton, depending on origin, packing, and freight terms. Middle East bulk cargo sits near the lower end (USD 430–490/MT), while drummed or ISO tank cargo from Asia commands USD 470–540/MT. Add USD 40–90/MT for ocean freight to distant ports.
3. What is the difference between 115/15 and 60/70 bitumen?
115/15 is roughly 40% softer than 60/70, with penetration of 110–120 dmm versus 60–70 dmm, and a lower softening point (38–44 °C vs. 48–56 °C). Use 115/15 in cold climates and for primer/tack applications; use 60/70 for standard road surfaces carrying moderate-to-heavy traffic.
4. How is bitumen grade 115/15 stored and handled?
Store it in heated tanks at 120–150 °C and never exceed 180 °C, or the binder will age and lose more than 40% penetration within 24 hours. Drummed cargo needs reheating over 6–12 hours before pumping, and all transfer lines must be insulated and trace-heated.
5. What is the minimum order quantity for bitumen 115/15 export?
MOQs range from 100 MT for drummed cargo ex-Iran to 500–1,000 MT for bulk vessel shipments from UAE, India, or South Korea. Flexitank orders (20–24 MT per 20 ft container) are the most accessible entry point for smaller buyers, though per-ton cost is 10–20% higher than bulk.
Price Your Bitumen 115/15 Cargo in Seconds
Specs, freight, packing, and payment terms all move the final landed cost — and a USD 20