BITUMEN VG‑40 – STANDARD SPECIFICATION

(Viscosity Grade Bitumen – VG‑40)

 

1. Product Description

• Product: Bitumen VG‑40

• Type: Viscosity Grade paving bitumen

• Standard: IS 73:2013 (widely used benchmark), aligned with international VG specifications

• Appearance: Black, viscous, homogeneous material, free from water and impurities

• Typical Use: Heavy‑duty road construction, high‑temperature climates, industrial pavements

VG‑40 is the hardest and most viscous grade in the VG series (VG‑10, VG‑20, VG‑30, VG‑40). It is engineered for extreme traffic loads and high ambient temperatures.

 

2. Technical Specifications (Standard VG‑40)

Property                                         Requirement            Test Method

Viscosity @ 60°C                              ≥ 3200 Poise           ASTM D2171

Viscosity @ 135°C                             ≥ 4.5 cSt                 ASTM D2170

Penetration @ 25°C                           ≤ 40 (0.1 mm)         ASTM D5

Softening Point (R&B)                        ≥ 50°C                    ASTM D36

Ductility @ 27°C                                 ≥ 25 cm                  ASTM D113

Flash Point (COC)                              ≥ 220°C                  ASTM D92

Solubility in Trichloroethylene             ≥ 99%                    ASTM D2042

Loss on Heating (TFOT)                     ≤ 0.5%                   ASTM D6

Retained Penetration after TFOT         ≥ 50%                    ASTM D5/D6

Increase in Softening Point after TFOT ≤ 6°C                    ASTM D36

These values reflect the norms used by major producers in India, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia.

 

3. Applications of BITUMEN VG‑40

 

A. Heavy‑Duty Road Construction

Designed for:

• High‑traffic expressways

• Motorways with heavy truck load

• Roads in hot climates (Middle East, India, Africa)

• Industrial zones and logistics hubs

B. Airport Infrastructure

• Runways

• Taxiways

• Aprons

• Surfaces requiring high shear resistance

C. Polymer‑Modified Bitumen (PMB) Production

VG‑40 is often used as a base bitumen for:

• PMB

• SMA (Stone Mastic Asphalt)

• High‑performance asphalt mixes

D. Key Advantages

• Superior rutting resistance

• High stability under heavy loads

• Minimal deformation at high temperatures

• Longer pavement life and reduced maintenance

4. Packaging & Delivery Options

• Bulk: Bitumen tankers, road tankers, ISO tanks

• Drums: 180–200 kg steel drums

• Poly Bags (Jumbo Bags): 1 MT or 1.2 MT (available from some producers)

5. Quality Control & Inspection

• Inspection: SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek at loading port

• Final Quality: As per Certificate of Quality (COQ)

• Final Quantity: As per Certificate of Weight (COW)

• Testing according to ASTM and IS standards

6. Typical Origins

• India: IOC, BPCL, HPCL

• Middle East: UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia

• Iran

• Russia