What Is Bitumen 50/70?

Bitumen Penetration 50/70, also referred to as asphalt 50/70 or penetration grade bitumen PG 50/70, is a thermoplastic hydrocarbon material produced during the vacuum distillation of crude oil. The designation “50/70” refers to the penetration value — the depth in tenths of a millimeter (0.1 mm) that a standard needle penetrates a sample of bitumen under a load of 100 grams for 5 seconds at 25°C. A penetration of 50–70 indicates a moderately hard to hard binder, sitting between bitumen 40/50 (harder) and 60/70 (softer).

Bitumen 50/70 is the preferred grade for highways subject to heavy and very heavy traffic loads, particularly in hot and arid climates across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Its higher hardness provides superior resistance to rutting and permanent deformation at elevated pavement surface temperatures, making it the specification of choice for critical infrastructure projects such as major motorways, port access roads, industrial estate roads, and airport aprons.

Zumrut International Kimya supplies Bitumen Penetration 50/70 FOB Iskenderun and Mersin, compliant with ASTM D946 and EN 12591, with full Certificate of Analysis (COA) and Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) documentation for every shipment.

Bitumen Penetration 50/70 Full Technical Specifications

📄 Download Bitumen 50/70 Specification Sheet (PDF)

Physical & Chemical Properties Explained

🔬 Penetration — What It Means

The penetration value of 50–70 indicates a harder binder than the more common 60/70. A standardized needle penetrates 5.0–7.0 mm into the bitumen under 100g load for 5 seconds at 25°C. Lower values equal harder bitumen. Among penetration grades, 50/70 sits between the hard 40/50 and the softer 60/70, making it ideal for regions with very high summer temperatures or roads subjected to very heavy axle loads — conditions where softer grades would lead to premature rutting and surface deformation.

🌡️ Softening Point — Thermal Performance

The Ring & Ball softening point of 46–54°C means bitumen 50/70 maintains its structural integrity up to this temperature range before transitioning to a flowable state. In climates where asphalt pavement surface temperatures regularly reach 55–70°C (common in the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and South Asia), the higher stiffness of 50/70 at elevated temperatures provides superior rutting resistance compared to 60/70. For peak performance above 65°C surface temperatures, gilsonite modification or polymer modification is recommended.

📏 Ductility — Flexibility Under Load

A ductility of ≥100 cm means bitumen 50/70 can stretch at least 100 cm before fracturing at 25°C. Despite being a harder grade, this high ductility ensures the binder maintains cohesion under repeated traffic loading without fatigue cracking — critical for high-traffic roads where the pavement is subject to millions of load cycles over its design life.

⚡ Flash Point — Safety in Handling

The flash point of ≥232°C ensures safe handling during hot-mix asphalt production. Because 50/70 is harder than 60/70, it requires slightly higher heating temperatures (155–175°C) for mixing, making the wide safety margin above the operating temperature range especially important for plant safety. This wide safety margin is critical during loading, transport, and application operations.

🔧 Viscosity — Workability and Plant Handling

Bitumen 50/70 has a higher viscosity than 60/70 at any given temperature, reflecting its harder character. Kinematic viscosity at 135°C is ≥300 cSt. This means HMA plants need to maintain slightly higher bitumen temperatures (155–175°C vs 150–170°C for 60/70) to achieve proper workability and aggregate coating. Plant operators should confirm viscosity-temperature relationships from the batch COA before production.

Bitumen 50/70 vs 60/70 — Key Differences

Buyers frequently ask whether to specify 50/70 or 60/70. The decision depends primarily on climate, traffic loading, and local road authority specifications. The table below summarizes the key technical and application differences:

Climate Performance: Is Bitumen Penetration 50/70 Right for Your Region?

Bitumen 50/70 is optimized for hot, arid, and tropical climates where pavement surface temperatures regularly exceed 50°C. In these conditions, it outperforms softer grades by resisting rutting and permanent deformation more effectively. However, in cold climates, its lower flexibility at low temperatures increases the risk of thermal cracking.

Bitumen 50/70 Applications

Packing Options for Bitumen 50/70

HS Code for Bitumen 50/70

Bitumen 50/70 Price FOB Turkey

Bitumen 50/70 prices fluctuate weekly based on crude oil benchmarks (particularly Iranian and Iraqi crude feedstocks), regional demand cycles, and international freight markets. Because 50/70 is a slightly less commonly traded grade than 60/70, supply availability can affect pricing — Zumrut International maintains consistent stock at Iskenderun and Mersin for reliable monthly supply commitments.

For current FOB Iskenderun and Mersin prices for bitumen 50/70, visit our dedicated bitumen price page — updated every week with the latest market rates.

📊 View Live Bitumen Price →

Export Markets — Where We Ship Bitumen 50/70

Zumrut International Kimya exports bitumen 50/70 to buyers across more than 30 countries through Iskenderun and Mersin ports in Turkey:

Frequently Asked Questions — Bitumen 50/70

Related Products & Pages