Air Blown Bitumen 15/25
Last updated: 2026-10-09
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Air Blown Bitumen 15/25
Air blown bitumen 15/25 is a penetration-grade oxidized bitumen with a needle penetration of 15–25 dmm (0.1 mm) at 25°C, a softening point of 90–100°C, and a density of approximately 1.05 kg/L at 25°C. It is produced by blowing air through penetration-grade bitumen at 240–280°C for 4–10 hours, which raises the softening point and reduces penetration. Typical export pricing in 2024–2025 ranges from $480–$620 per metric ton FOB depending on packaging (new steel drums, polybags, or bulk), with minimum order quantities of 20–25 MT per 20-ft container.
What Is Air Blown Bitumen 15/25?
Air blown bitumen 15/25 (also written as oxidized bitumen 15/25 or blown bitumen grade 15/25) is a hard, low-penetration grade manufactured by continuous air oxidation of vacuum residue or penetration-grade bitumen. The "15/25" designation refers exclusively to penetration at 25°C, measured in tenths of a millimeter per ASTM D5 or EN 1426.
Key production parameters:
- Oxidation temperature: 240–280°C
- Air rate: 50–150 m³/hour per batch (plant-dependent)
- Blowing time: 4–10 hours to reach target penetration
- Catalyst: typically none; some plants use 0.1–0.3% ferric chloride to speed reaction
- Yield loss: 2–6% by mass (volatile carryover)
Because the grade is defined by penetration, two suppliers can deliver 15/25 material with substantially different softening points and viscosities. Buyers should always specify softening point, solubility, and flash point alongside penetration.
Air Blown Bitumen 15/25 Specifications
The table below lists typical values against the most common international standards. Confirm tolerances with your supplier before contracting.
| Property | Test Method | Typical Value | Limit Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25°C, 100 g, 5 s | ASTM D5 / EN 1426 | 18 dmm | 15–25 dmm |
| Softening point (R&B) | ASTM D36 / EN 1427 | 95°C | 90–100°C |
| Flash point (COC) | ASTM D92 | 260°C | ≥230°C |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene | ASTM D2042 | 99.5% | ≥99.0% |
| Density at 25°C | ASTM D70 | 1.05 kg/L | 1.02–1.07 kg/L |
| Loss on heating, 163°C, 5 h | ASTM D6 | 0.4% | ≤1.0% |
| Penetration after heating (retained) | ASTM D5 | 70% | ≥60% |
| Spot test | AASHTO T102 | Negative | Negative |
| Ash content | ASTM D482 | 0.05% | ≤0.1% |
Important: Lower penetration numbers mean harder material. Grade 15/25 sits at the harder end of the oxidized bitumen scale; grades 30/40 and 85/100 are progressively softer and used in different applications.
How Air Blown Bitumen 15/25 Compares to Other Oxidized Grades
Grades are not interchangeable. The table below compares the four most commonly traded oxidized grades.
| Grade | Penetration (25°C) | Softening Point | Primary Use | Price Index (base = 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/20 | 10–20 dmm | 95–110°C | Pipe coating, battery cases | 108 |
| 15/25 | 15–25 dmm | 90–100°C | Pipe coating, roofing, mastics | 100 |
| 30/40 | 30–40 dmm | 80–90°C | Roofing felt, waterproofing | 94 |
| 85/100 | 85–100 dmm | 50–60°C | Adhesives, sealants, paints | 88 |
Relative to penetration grades like 60/70 or 80/100 (used in asphalt paving), 15/25 is roughly 3–5× harder and has a softening point 45–50°C higher. This is why oxidized bitumen cannot substitute for paving-grade bitumen in road construction.
Applications and Consumption Data
Air blown bitumen 15/25 is a specialty industrial grade. Global trade volume is estimated at 250,000–400,000 MT per year, with the largest importing regions being Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and West Africa.
- Pipe coating (45–55% of demand): corrosion protection for oil, gas, and water pipelines; applied at 180–200°C in 2–4 mm layers
- Roofing and waterproofing membranes (20–25%): as a saturant or coating compound in bituminous felts
- Mastics and sealants (10–15%): joint fillers, expansion joints, automotive underbody coatings
- Battery cases and electrical insulation (5–8%): historically dominant; now largely replaced by plastics
- Briquettes and foundry binders (3–5%): as a binder in industrial agglomeration
| Packaging | Net Weight per Unit | Units per 20-ft Container | Total per Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| New steel drum | 180 kg | 110 drums | 19.8 MT |
| New steel drum | 200 kg | 100 drums | 20.0 MT |
| Polybag (meltable) | 25 kg | 880 bags | 22.0 MT |
| Jumbo bag | 1,000 kg | 20 bags | 20.0 MT |
| Bulk (flexitank) | — | 1 flexitank | 22–24 MT |
Drums remain the dominant export format because 15/25 is too hard to discharge from flexitanks without heated infrastructure at the destination port. Expect a $25–$45/MT premium for drummed cargo over bulk.
Pricing, Lead Times, and Logistics
| Origin | FOB Price (USD/MT, drummed) | Lead Time (order to loading) |
|---|---|---|
| Iran | $480–$540 | 15–25 days |
| UAE | $530–$590 | 10–20 days |
| South Korea | $570–$630 | 20–30 days |
| Spain | $600–$680 | 15–25 days |
Prices fluctuate with crude oil benchmarks. A $10/barrel move in Brent typically shifts oxidized bitumen prices by $8–$14/MT within 4–6 weeks.
- Do not overheat. Storage temperature should stay at 160–180°C. Above 200°C, the material continues to oxidize in the tank and penetration drops below spec.
- Reheat cycles matter. Each full reheat degrades penetration by roughly 3–8%. Limit reheats to 2–3 maximum.
- Container loading: allow 3–5 days for stuffing and 2–3 days for documentation (COA, MSDS, packing list, certificate of origin).
- Typical total transit: 20–35 days from Gulf ports to Southeast Asia; 35–50 days to West Africa.
- - Certificate of Analysis (penetration, softening point, flash point, solubility)
- - Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) in English
- - Certificate of Origin
- - Third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek, or Bureau Veritas) — budget $400–$800 per lot
- - Pre-shipment sample retained for 6 months
FAQ: Air Blown Bitumen 15/25
What does 15/25 mean in air blown bitumen?
It refers to needle penetration at 25°C measured in tenths of a millimeter. A 15/25 grade records between 15 and 25 dmm, making it a hard, high-softening-point oxidized bitumen used mainly for pipe coating and roofing.
What is the softening point of air blown bitumen 15/25?
Typically 90–100°C by ASTM D36 (Ring and Ball). If a supplier quotes below 88°C, the material is likely closer to a 30/40 grade and should be rejected or re-tested.
How much does air blown bitumen 15/25 cost per ton?
Indicative FOB prices in 2024–2025 run $480–$680 per metric ton depending on origin, packaging, and order size. Drummed cargo attracts a $25–$45/MT premium over bulk, and CIF pricing adds $40–$90/MT for freight and insurance.
What is the difference between air blown bitumen 15/25 and 30/40?
15/25 is harder: penetration 15–25 dmm versus 30–40 dmm, and softening point 90–100°C versus 80–90°C. Use 15/25 where higher heat resistance and mechanical strength are needed, such as pipeline coating; use 30/40 for roofing felts.
How many tons fit in a 20-ft container?
Using 180 kg steel drums, a 20-ft container holds 110 drums, or 19.8 MT. With 200 kg drums, it holds 100 drums, or 20.0 MT. Flexitank shipments can reach 22–24 MT but require heated discharge equipment.
Calculate Your Air Blown Bitumen 15/25 Landed Cost
Freight, drum premiums, inspection fees, and port charges can add $70–$140 per metric ton to your FOB price — often more than the grade differential between suppliers. Before you commit to a 20 MT order, model the full landed cost.
Use the 6Tar cost calculator to input FOB price, origin port, destination port, packaging type, and inspection scope — and get a line-by-line landed cost per metric ton in under 60 seconds. Exporters and importers who run the numbers before negotiating typically save $3,000–$6,000 per container.