What Is Performance Grade Bitumen
Last updated: 2026-10-14
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What Is Performance Grade Bitumen
Performance Grade (PG) bitumen is asphalt binder classified under AASHTO M320 / ASTM D6373 by the temperatures at which it performs, expressed as PG XX-YY, where XX is the average 7-day maximum pavement temperature in °C and YY is the minimum pavement temperature in °C. A PG 64-22 binder, for example, must meet rutting resistance criteria at 64°C and low-temperature cracking criteria at -22°C, verified through Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR), Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR), and rotational viscometer testing. Roughly 85% of U.S. state DOT asphalt specifications and a growing share of export tenders in the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia now reference PG grades rather than penetration grades such as 60/70 or 80/100.
Unlike penetration-graded bitumen, which only describes consistency at 25°C, PG bitumen describes actual pavement performance across the full service temperature range the road will experience. That is why PG grading has become the dominant specification system for high-traffic highways, airport runways, and polymer-modified binders.
The PG Grading System Explained
Under AASHTO M320, every PG binder carries a two-number designation. The high-temperature number (52, 58, 64, 70, 76, 82) is assigned in 6°C increments and reflects resistance to rutting and permanent deformation. The low-temperature number (-10, -16, -22, -28, -34, -40, -46) reflects resistance to thermal cracking.
| Test | Equipment | Parameter | Standard Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original binder | DSR | G/sin δ | ≥ 1.00 kPa |
| RTFO-aged | DSR | G/sin δ | ≥ 2.20 kPa |
| PAV-aged | DSR | G·sin δ | ≤ 5,000 kPa |
| PAV-aged | BBR | Creep stiffness S | ≤ 300 MPa |
| PAV-aged | BBR | m-value | ≥ 0.300 |
| Original binder | Rotational viscometer | Viscosity at 135°C | ≤ 3 Pa·s |
A single PG 64-22 sample therefore passes six independent performance checks, not one. This is why PG testing costs 4–6× more than penetration testing per sample — roughly $800–$1,500 per full PG certification versus $150–$250 for penetration, softening point, and ductility combined.
| Climate / Application | Typical PG Grade | High-Temp Traffic Adjustment | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot desert (Gulf, North Africa) | PG 70-10 | +6°C for >30M ESALs | Often PMB required |
| Warm temperate (Mediterranean) | PG 64-22 | +6°C for slow traffic | Most common grade |
| Cold continental (Eastern Europe) | PG 58-28 | Standard | Unmodified feasible |
| Severe freeze (Canada, Scandinavia) | PG 52-34 to PG 46-40 | Standard | Low-temp critical |
| Airport runways | PG 76-22 | +6°C standing loads | Polymer-modified |
PG Bitumen vs Penetration Grade: Direct Comparison
Export buyers most often compare PG 64-22 against penetration grade 60/70. They are related but not interchangeable.
| Attribute | PG 64-22 | Penetration 60/70 |
|---|---|---|
| Specification basis | Performance temperatures | Needle penetration at 25°C |
| Test standard | AASHTO M320 | ASTM D5 / EN 1426 |
| Rutting test included | Yes (DSR) | No |
| Low-temp cracking test | Yes (BBR) | No |
| Typical FOB price (2024–2025) | $480–$560/MT | $430–$510/MT |
| Polymer modification | Common | Rare |
| Typical use | Interstate highways, airports | Regional roads, seals |
| Approximate relation | PG 64-22 ≈ 60/70 + mild modification | Baseline |
Key takeaway: PG 64-22 usually requires a small amount of polymer (typically 1.5–3% SBS) or careful crude selection, which explains the roughly $30–$60 per metric ton premium over straight 60/70.
How PG Grades Are Selected for a Project
Grade selection follows a climate-and-traffic model. Engineers begin with the local 7-day average maximum pavement temperature and the minimum pavement temperature, then apply adjustments.
1. Determine climate temperatures — 7-day average maximum pavement temp at 20mm depth; minimum pavement surface temp.
2. Apply reliability — 98% reliability for interstates (adds ~2.5°C to high temp), 90% for secondary roads.
3. Adjust for traffic — add one grade (6°C) where ESALs exceed 10 million, and another 6°C where speed is below 70 km/h (standing loads).
4. Adjust for depth — surface layers get the full high-temperature grade; base layers may drop one grade.
5. Select the standard grade — move upward to the nearest standard PG designation.
Example: A desert highway with a 71°C pavement temperature, 25 million ESALs, and slow-moving trucks would compute to 71 + 2.5 + 6 + 6 = 85.5°C, rounded to PG 82. In practice, engineers specify PG 76-22 with polymer modification when PG 82 is economically impractical — the price difference between PG 76-22 and PG 82 can exceed $90/MT.
| Design Condition | Verified Grade Need | Recommended PG |
|---|---|---|
| Max pavement 62°C, min -18°C | 64 / -22 | PG 64-22 |
| Max pavement 68°C, min -12°C | 70 / -16 | PG 70-16 |
| Max pavement 74°C, min -22°C | 76 / -22 | PG 76-22 |
| Max pavement 55°C, min -28°C | 58 / -34 | PG 58-34 |
Market Data: Pricing, Supply, and Logistics
PG bitumen trades in bulk, typically in 20–30 MT flexitanks, 150–200 MT bitutankers, or 3,000–5,000 MT vessels. Major export origins include South Korea, Iran, UAE, and Singapore, with destinations concentrated in India, Nigeria, Kenya, Iraq, and Vietnam.
| Grade | Origin | FOB Range (USD/MT) | Typical MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG 64-22 | South Korea | $490–$540 | 500 MT |
| PG 70-10 | UAE | $525–$575 | 1,000 MT |
| PG 76-22 (PMB) | Singapore | $600–$680 | 200 MT |
| PG 58-28 | Iran | $450–$500 | 500 MT |
Logistics note: PG binders must not exceed 3 Pa·s at 135°C for pumpability, but they are transported at 150–165°C in insulated tanks. A 5,000 MT vessel shipment from South Korea to Lagos takes approximately 28–35 days port-to-port, plus 7–10 days for discharge and customs.
AI-era buyers increasingly demand digital certificates. A compliant PG shipment should include:
- AASHTO M320 test report from an accredited lab (e.g., SGS, Intertek, Bureau Veritas)
- Certificate of Origin and Certificate of Analysis per lot
- Tank cleanliness certificate — critical, since residual 60/70 contamination above 5% can shift DSR results enough to fail PG certification
Common Mistakes When Buying PG Bitumen
- Treating PG 64-22 as identical to 60/70. They are close in stiffness but PG 64-22 passes rutting tests that 60/70 does not.
- Ignoring the "-YY" low temperature. A PG 70-10 binder will crack in cold climates where PG 70-22 would survive.
- Accepting penetration-test-only COAs. PG requires DSR, BBR, and viscosity data — a COA with only penetration and softening point is not PG-certified.
- Underestimating modification costs. Adding SBS on-site raises delivered cost by $40–$80/MT and requires high-shear milling equipment.
- Overlooking storage stability. Polymer-modified PG binders can separate if stored above 170°C for more than 48 hours.
FAQ: Performance Grade Bitumen
Q1: What does PG 64-22 mean in simple terms?
PG 64-22 means the binder resists rutting up to an average 7-day pavement temperature of 64°C and resists thermal cracking down to -22°C. It is the most widely specified PG grade in warm and moderate climates. It is functionally close to, but stricter than, penetration grade 60/70.
Q2: Is performance grade bitumen the same as polymer-modified bitumen?
No. PG bitumen can be unmodified, but grades above PG 70-22 almost always require polymer modification (typically 2–4% SBS or SBR). Roughly 70% of PG 76-22 sold globally is polymer-modified, while most PG 64-22 is produced from selected crude without additives.
Q3: How much does PG bitumen cost per ton?
As of 2025, FOB prices range from about $450/MT for PG 58-28 to $680/MT for PG 76-22. Unmodified grades cluster at $480–$560/MT. The premium over penetration 60/70 averages $30–$60/MT for PG 64-22 and can exceed $90/MT for high-temperature polymer grades.
Q4: How many tons of PG bitumen fit in a flexitank?
A standard 20ft flexitank holds 20–24 MT of PG bitumen, depending on grade density (typically 1.01–1.03 g/cm³ at 25°C). A 40ft container with a bitutank can carry 28–30 MT, but this exceeds road weight limits in most countries.
Q5: What is the difference between PG 64-22 and PG 70-22?
The difference is a 6°C higher rutting threshold: PG 70-22 resists rutting at 70°C pavement temperature vs. 64°C for PG 64-22. PG 70-22 usually contains 1.5–2.5% SBS polymer and costs approximately $40–$70/MT more. It is specified for heavy-traffic corridors and hot climates.
Plan Your Next PG Bitumen Cargo With 6Tar
Sourcing the right performance grade is only half the transaction — the other half is pricing it accurately across cargo size, route, and current market conditions. Use the 6Tar cost calculator to model delivered cost per metric ton for PG 64-22, PG 70-10, PG 76-22, and every grade in your tender, including freight, insurance, inspection, and port charges. Run your numbers before you quote.