Bitumen Specific Gravity Table
Last updated: 2026-10-03
The specific gravity of bitumen typically ranges from 1.01 to 1.06 at 25°C, with the most common paving grades (60/70, 80/100) averaging 1.03. This means bitumen is slightly denser than water, and 1 metric tonne occupies roughly 0.97 m³ while 1 m³ weighs about 1,030 kg.
Bitumen Specific Gravity Table by Grade
Specific gravity (SG) is the ratio of bitumen's density to the density of water at a reference temperature (usually 25°C). Because bitumen is a viscoelastic hydrocarbon, its SG shifts with temperature, grade, and origin — so the grade table below uses penetration-grade binders at the industry-standard test temperature.
| Bitumen Grade | Typical Specific Gravity @ 25°C | Density (kg/m³) | 1 MT = Volume (m³) | 1 m³ = Weight (MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40/50 (Pen) | 1.04–1.06 | ~1,050 | 0.952 | 1.050 |
| 60/70 (Pen) | 1.02–1.04 | ~1,030 | 0.971 | 1.030 |
| 80/100 (Pen) | 1.01–1.03 | ~1,020 | 0.980 | 1.020 |
| 100/120 (Pen) | 1.01–1.02 | ~1,015 | 0.985 | 1.015 |
| 120/150 (Pen) | 1.00–1.02 | ~1,010 | 0.990 | 1.010 |
| VG-10 | 1.01–1.03 | ~1,020 | 0.980 | 1.020 |
| VG-20 | 1.02–1.04 | ~1,030 | 0.971 | 1.030 |
| VG-30 | 1.03–1.05 | ~1,040 | 0.962 | 1.040 |
| VG-40 | 1.03–1.06 | ~1,045 | 0.957 | 1.045 |
| Cutback (MC-30) | 0.95–1.00 | ~975 | 1.026 | 0.975 |
| Bitumen Emulsion (CSS-1h) | 1.00–1.05 | ~1,025 | 0.976 | 1.025 |
| Oxidized/Blown (115/15) | 1.05–1.10 | ~1,075 | 0.930 | 1.075 |
Key takeaways:
- Higher penetration number (softer binder) = generally lower specific gravity.
- Oxidized (blown) bitumen has the highest SG, up to 1.10.
- Emulsions vary widely because SG depends on the residual binder content (typically 60–65%).
Why Bitumen Specific Gravity Changes with Temperature
Bitumen expands thermally just like any liquid — and the expansion is significant enough that shipping contracts and ISO tanker fill calculations must correct for it.
| Temperature | Approx. SG (60/70 grade) | Approx. Density (kg/m³) | Volume Change vs. 25°C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15°C | 1.04 | ~1,040 | baseline |
| 25°C | 1.03 | ~1,030 | +1.0% |
| 100°C | ~1.00 | ~1,000 | +4.0% |
| 150°C (typical shipping temp) | ~0.98 | ~980 | +6.0% |
| 180°C (spray temp) | ~0.96 | ~960 | +8.3% |
The industry rule of thumb: bitumen volume increases approximately 0.0006 per °C (0.06% per °C). This is why a 30 MT ISO tank loaded at 150°C will contain fewer tonnes than the same tank filled at 25°C.
Practical example: A 25 m³ ISO tank filled to 90% capacity (22.5 m³) at 150°C holds:
- 22.5 m³ × 980 kg/m³ = 22,050 kg = 22.05 MT
- The same 22.5 m³ at 25°C would hold 23.18 MT — a 1.13 MT difference (5.1%).
For exporters, this matters because payment is usually per metric tonne, not per cubic meter. Always confirm whether your supplier quotes FOB weight at loading temperature or corrected to 25°C.
How to Convert Bitumen Weight and Volume (Formulas + Worked Examples)
The three formulas every bitumen trader, estimator, and logistics planner needs:
- Weight (MT) = Volume (m³) × Specific Gravity
- Volume (m³) = Weight (MT) ÷ Specific Gravity
- Specific Gravity = Weight ÷ (Volume × 1000) — when weight is in kg
Worked example 1 — Road project ordering:
A contractor needs to lay 5 km of 4 m-wide road with a 50 mm bituminous base course at 2.35 t/m³ compacted density, 5.5% binder content.
- Volume = 5,000 m × 4 m × 0.05 m = 1,000 m³
- Mix tonnage = 1,000 × 2.35 = 2,350 MT
- Binder required = 2,350 × 0.055 = 129.25 MT
- At SG 1.03, tanker volume = 129.25 ÷ 1.03 = 125.5 m³
Worked example 2 — Import costing:
A buyer in Kenya imports 500 MT of VG-30 from an Iranian refinery at $430/MT FOB Bandar Abbas.
- Product cost = 500 × $430 = $215,000
- Freight (25 days transit, $65/MT) = $32,500
- Total landed ≈ $247,500 + duty/clearing (~14% in KE) ≈ $282,150
Common conversion factors to memorize:
| Unit | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 MT bitumen (SG 1.03) | 0.971 m³ / 6.11 barrels |
| 1 barrel (42 US gal) | 0.159 m³ ≈ 0.164 MT |
| 1 drum (181 kg net) | 0.176 m³ |
| 1 ISO tank (20 ft) | ~22.5–24 MT payload |
| 1 bitutank (flexitank) | 20–24 MT |
Specific Gravity vs. Other Bitumen Tests (Why It Matters Commercially)
SG is not just a lab curiosity — it interacts directly with the tests refineries and buyers care about:
| Test | Standard | What It Measures | Relation to Specific Gravity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration | ASTM D5 / IS 1203 | Hardness at 25°C (0.1 mm) | Lower pen → higher SG |
| Softening Point | ASTM D36 | Ring & Ball temperature | Higher SG → higher softening point |
| Viscosity | ASTM D4402 | Flow resistance at 135°C/60°C | Higher SG → higher viscosity |
| Flash Point | ASTM D92 | Safety at handling temp | Independent of SG |
| Solubility | ASTM D2042 | Purity (trichloroethylene) | Impurities raise SG |
| Density/SG | ASTM D70 / D1298 | Mass per unit volume | Primary metric here |
Commercial implications of SG deviations:
- A batch reading 1.07 instead of 1.03 usually signals contamination (e.g., heavy fuel oil or filler) or excessive oxidation — reject or re-test.
- Emulsion SG below 1.00 (like MC-30 cutback at 0.95) is expected because solvent (kerosene) is lighter than water. Don't confuse low SG with poor quality in cutbacks.
- Buyers paying per m³ should convert to MT before signing — a 3% SG error on 1,000 MT at $450/MT is $13,500.
Global Bitumen SG Variations by Source
Origin matters. Middle East and Asian refineries typically produce slightly denser binders than some European or US grades due to crude source and processing.
| Region / Source | Typical SG Range (60/70 equiv.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Iran (Bandar Abbas, Jey) | 1.02–1.04 | Consistent, widely exported |
| UAE (Fujairah blends) | 1.02–1.05 | Blending-dependent |
| India (IOCL, BPCL) | 1.01–1.03 | VG grades per IS 73 |
| South Korea | 1.02–1.04 | High-purity exports |
| Singapore (blends) | 1.01–1.04 | Often re-blended |
| Venezuela (heavy crude) | 1.04–1.08 | Very dense, high asphaltene |
| Canada (oil sands) | 1.03–1.07 | Variable PG grades |
For a buyer comparing $/MT across suppliers, normalize every quote to SG at 25°C before comparing. A "cheaper" 1.06 SG product may cost more per m³ delivered.
FAQ: Bitumen Specific Gravity
What is the specific gravity of bitumen?
The specific gravity of most bitumen ranges from 1.01 to 1.06 at 25°C, with common paving grades like 60/70 averaging around 1.03. Oxidized grades can reach 1.10, and cutbacks can drop below 1.00 due to solvent content.
Is bitumen heavier than water?
Yes — with a specific gravity above 1.00, bitumen is slightly denser than water, and most grades sink. Only solvent-diluted cutbacks (SG 0.95–1.00) can float, which is why emulsion classification tests and spill response procedures differ from conventional oils.
How does temperature affect bitumen specific gravity?
SG decreases as temperature rises — roughly 0.0006 per °C. A 60/70 bitumen at 1.03 at 25°C measures about 0.98 at 150°C, meaning an ISO tank loaded hot holds 5–6% fewer tonnes than the same volume loaded cold.
How do I convert bitumen MT to m³?
Divide metric tonnes by the specific gravity: m³ = MT ÷ SG. For a typical 1.03 SG binder, 1 MT = 0.971 m³, so 500 MT = 485.4 m³ — always verify the SG on your certificate of analysis before calculating.
What does ASTM D70 measure in bitumen?
ASTM D70 (and D1298 for liquids) measures the density and specific gravity of semi-solid and liquid bitumen at 25°C using a pycnometer or hydrometer. Results from D70 are used for weight-volume conversion, quality control, and detecting contamination.
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