80/100 Penetration Bitumen Specification
Last updated: 2026-10-01
80/100 penetration bitumen is a standard paving-grade bitumen with a penetration value of 80 to 100 units (0.1 mm) at 25°C, a softening point of 42–52°C, and a kinematic viscosity of 160–240 cSt at 135°C. It is classified under ASTM D946 / AASHTO M20 as penetration grade 80/100 and is widely used in hot-mix asphalt for moderate to warm climates. Typical FOB export pricing ranges from $420–$520 per metric ton depending on origin (Iran, UAE, Singapore) and shipment size (bulk vessel vs. 20 MT flexitank).
What Is 80/100 Penetration Bitumen? Definition and Standards
80/100 penetration bitumen is a semi-solid, petroleum-derived binder produced from vacuum residue distillation. Its numerical grade refers to the needle penetration test: a standard needle penetrates 80 to 100 tenths of a millimeter (0.1 mm) into the sample under 100 g load at 25°C for 5 seconds, per ASTM D5 or EN 1426.
Because of its softer consistency compared to 60/70 or 40/50 grades, 80/100 bitumen flows more readily at ambient temperatures, making it suitable for:
- Hot-mix asphalt (HMA) in moderate and warm climates
- Cold recycling and surface treatments
- Prime coats and tack coats
- Bituminous macadam and base courses with lower traffic loading
- Emulsion manufacturing (as the base binder)
Major producing regions exporting 80/100 penetration bitumen include Iran, the UAE, Bahrain, Singapore, and South Korea. Global export volume for this grade exceeds 1.5 million metric tons annually, with Iran accounting for roughly 30–35% of Middle East supply.
| Standard | Designation | Region |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM D946 | Penetration-Graded Asphalt Cement | USA / Global |
| AASHTO M20 | Penetration-Graded Asphalt Cement | North America |
| EN 12591 | Bitumen and Bituminous Binders | EU / UK |
| IS 73 | Paving Bitumen (Grade 80/100) | India |
| JIS K 2207 | Petroleum Asphalts | Japan |
80/100 Penetration Bitumen Specification Table (Physical & Chemical Properties)
The table below consolidates the most commonly requested specification parameters for export-grade 80/100 penetration bitumen. Values reflect typical test results from Iranian and UAE refineries, which dominate the export market.
| Property | Test Method | Unit | Specification Range | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @ 25°C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 / EN 1426 | 0.1 mm | 80–100 | 85–92 |
| Softening Point (R&B) | ASTM D36 / EN 1427 | °C | 42–52 | 45–49 |
| Kinematic Viscosity @ 135°C | ASTM D2170 | cSt (mm²/s) | 160–240 | 185–210 |
| Flash Point (COC) | ASTM D92 | °C | ≥ 220 | 240–260 |
| Solubility in Trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | % wt | ≥ 99.0 | 99.5 |
| Density @ 25°C | ASTM D70 | g/cm³ | 1.01–1.05 | 1.02–1.03 |
| Ductility @ 25°C, 5 cm/min | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 100 | > 100 |
| Loss on Heating (163°C, 5 h) | ASTM D1754 | % wt | ≤ 0.8 | 0.2–0.5 |
| Penetration After Loss on Heating | ASTM D5 | % of original | ≥ 50 | 60–70 |
| Ductility After Loss on Heating | ASTM D113 | cm | ≥ 50 | 75–90 |
| Specific Gravity @ 15.6°C | ASTM D70 | – | 1.01–1.06 | 1.03 |
| Asphaltene Content | IP 143 | % wt | 12–20 | 15–18 |
| Saturates | SARA Analysis | % wt | 8–15 | 11–13 |
Note: Some buyers specify penetration after thin-film oven test (TFOT, ASTM D1754) and require retention of ≥ 55% of original penetration for tropical applications.
| Packing Type | Net Weight | Standard | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| New steel drum | 150 kg / 180 kg | 110–120 drums per 20' FCL | 1 FCL (≈18–21.6 MT) |
| Polybag (jumbo bag) | 1,000–1,300 kg | 20 bags per 20' FCL | 1 FCL (≈20–26 MT) |
| Flexitank | 20 MT | 20' container | 1 FCL |
| Bulk vessel | 1,000–30,000 MT | ISO tank / vessel tank | 1,000 MT |
80/100 vs. Other Penetration Grades: Comparison Table
Selecting the correct penetration grade directly affects pavement performance. The comparison below shows how 80/100 differs from 60/70, 40/50, and 100/120 grades — the four most commonly traded penetration bitumens globally.
| Parameter | 40/50 | 60/70 | 80/100 | 100/120 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration @ 25°C (0.1 mm) | 40–50 | 60–70 | 80–100 | 100–120 |
| Softening Point (°C) | 52–60 | 49–56 | 42–52 | 40–47 |
| Viscosity @ 135°C (cSt) | 320–400 | 240–320 | 160–240 | 120–180 |
| Climate Suitability | Hot | Hot–Moderate | Moderate–Warm | Warm |
| Typical Traffic Load | Heavy | Heavy–Medium | Medium | Light–Medium |
| Mixing Temp (°C) | 160–175 | 150–165 | 140–155 | 135–150 |
| Compaction Temp (°C) | 145–155 | 135–145 | 125–135 | 120–130 |
| Relative Price Index | 105 | 100 | 92–96 | 88–93 |
Key takeaway: 80/100 bitumen costs roughly 4–8% less per ton than 60/70 grade but delivers lower rutting resistance. It is the preferred choice when ambient temperatures rarely exceed 35°C and traffic volumes are below 10 million ESA (equivalent single axle loads).
Global Production, Pricing, and Logistics Data
| Origin | FOB Price (USD/MT) | Vessel Size | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bandar Abbas, Iran | $420–$460 | 5,000–30,000 MT | 10–21 days |
| Jebel Ali, UAE | $455–$500 | 3,000–20,000 MT | 7–14 days |
| Singapore | $470–$520 | 1,000–10,000 MT | 5–10 days |
| South Korea | $480–$530 | 2,000–15,000 MT | 10–18 days |
Prices fluctuate ±8% monthly with Brent crude benchmarks. For a 20 MT flexitank order, expect $480–$560 per MT CFR to major Asian or African ports.
- 20' FCL flexitank: 20 MT net, best for trial orders and inland delivery
- Steel drums: 150 kg × 110 drums = 16.5 MT per 20' FCL (higher handling cost, ~$35–$50/MT premium)
- Bulk vessel: 5,000–30,000 MT, lowest unit cost ($15–$25/MT freight savings vs. containers)
- Discharge time: Bulk bitumen vessel pumps discharge at 150–300 MT/hour; a 10,000 MT cargo takes 35–65 hours
1. Certificate of Analysis (COA) from the refinery, batch-specific
2. Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas) — costs $800–$1,500 per lot
3. MSDS in English, compliant with GHS Rev. 9
4. ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 refinery certificates
5. Pre-shipment sample retained for 6 months
Applications and Performance Data for 80/100 Bitumen
80/100 penetration bitumen performs best in the following engineered applications:
- Dense-graded hot-mix asphalt (HMA): binder content typically 4.5–6.0% by mix weight
- Bituminous surface dressing: application rate 1.2–1.8 kg/m²
- Prime coat: diluted with kerosene at 1:1 to 1:3 ratio, spread at 0.5–1.2 L/m²
- Cold mix patching: emulsified form, 60–65% residue
- Asphalt emulsion production: base for anionic and cationic emulsions (SS-1, CSS-1, CRS-2)
| Property | Result | Requirement (Medium Traffic) |
|---|---|---|
| Marshall Stability | 8.5–11.0 kN | ≥ 8.0 kN |
| Flow | 2.5–3.5 mm | 2.0–4.0 mm |
| Air Voids (VIM) | 3.5–4.5% | 3–5% |
| Voids in Mineral Aggregate (VMA) | 14–16% | ≥ 14% |
| Retained Stability (TSR) | 78–85% | ≥ 75% |
Practical field data: Pavements using 80/100 bitumen in South Asia and East Africa show 7–10 year service life under 5–8 million ESA traffic, versus 10–14 years for 60/70 grade in identical conditions. The trade-off is 3–5°C lower mixing temperature, translating to 8–12% fuel savings at the asphalt plant.
How to Verify 80/100 Penetration Bitumen Quality Before Purchase
Quality disputes in bitumen trade most often stem from penetration out of range, high wax content, or adulteration with flux oil. Follow this verification protocol:
- Insist on batch-specific COA, not generic spec sheets — reject any lot where penetration deviates more than ±5 units from the mid-range
- Commission third-party sampling at load port (SGS/Intertek) — cost $800–$1,500, protects a $10,000+ cargo
- Test penetration after TFOT to confirm aging resistance — retention below 50% signals poor refining
- Check wax content (DIN 52015 or EN 12606) — above 2.2% causes premature cracking in cold climates
- Verify density at 25°C; readings below 1.01 g/cm³ may indicate dilution with lighter fractions
- Request retained samples from both load port and discharge port for 6 months
| Warning Sign | Risk |
|---|---|
| Penetration range given as 80–120 | Grade mislabeling |
| No TFOT/RTFOT data | Poor aging resistance |
| Softening point < 42°C | Adulteration or wrong grade |
| COA without batch number | Non-traceable material |
| Price > 15% below market | Flux oil blending likely |
FAQ: 80/100 Penetration Bitumen Specification
Q1: What does 80/100 mean in bitumen grade?
The numbers 80/100 indicate the penetration range: a standard needle penetrates between 80 and 100 tenths of a millimeter (0.1 mm) into the bitumen at 25°C under a 100 g load for 5 seconds, per ASTM D5. Higher numbers mean softer bitumen; lower numbers mean harder grades suited to hotter climates.
Q2: What is the softening point of 80/100 penetration bitumen?
The ring-and-ball softening point for 80/100 bitumen typically falls between 42°C and 52°C (ASTM D36). Most refineries deliver 45–49°C. A softening point below 42°C is a red flag for adulteration or incorrect grade.
Q3: How much does 80/100 bitumen cost per ton in 2025?
FOB prices range from $420 to $520 per metric ton depending on origin — Iran is cheapest ($420–$460), followed by UAE ($455–$500) and Singapore ($470–$520). CFR prices to Asian or African ports add $40–$90 per ton for freight and insurance on 20 MT orders.
Q4: What is the difference between 60/70 and 80/100 bitumen?
80/100 bitumen is softer (penetration 80–100