Cutback bitumen is produced by adding petroleum distillates, such as kerosene. This action reduces the viscosity of the bitumen temporarily so it can penetrate pavements more effectively or to allow spraying at temperatures that are too cold for successfully sprayed sealing with neat bitumen. The materials which added to bitumen will vaporize after application to leave the remaining material similar in hardness to the original bitumen.
Cutback Bitumen Uses
The process of prime coat involves using a low viscosity binder to a prepared. It is planned to be absorbed by the top layers of the base and provide a surface more easily wetted by a subsequent bitumen covering. The primer could carry traffic for a short time and help control dust. Seems like, primers are applied at rates between 0.5 and 1.4 L/m2. Cutback bitumen which is suitable for priming is also suitable for tack coats.
Where the temperature is too cool or when there is limited access to heating equipment and bitumen may be cooled throughout working, for an effective priming operation, this type of bitumen will be useful. Cutback bitumen is used in road surfacing and pavement.
Cutback bitumen is divided into three categories based on viscosity grade:
Rapid-Curing – RC
RC cutback bitumen is manufactured by solving bitumen in gasoline, so evaporation occurs quickly and the bitumen is deposited.
Medium-Curing – MC
MC cutback bitumen is manufactured by solving bitumen in kerosene, so evaporates more slowly than gasoline.
Slow-Curing – SC
SC cutback Bitumen is manufactured by solving bitumen in Gasoil or fuel oil or directly from a distillation of crude oil.
We have the capability to supply customers wide range of Cutback Bitumen grades such as RC-30, RC-70, RC-250, RC-800, RC-3000, MC-30, MC-70, MC-250, MC-800, MC-3000, SC-30, SC-70, SC-250, SC-800, SC-3000.
| Property | MC-30 | MC-70 | MC-250 | MC-800 | MC-3000 | Test Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIN-MAX | MIN-MAX | MIN-MAX | MIN-MAX | MIN-MAX | MIN-MAX | |
| Kinematic viscosity at 60°C mm2/s | 30-60 | 70-140 | 250-500 | 800-1600 | 3000-6000 | ASTM-D2170 |
| Flash Point (Tag Open-Cup), °C | 38-xx | 38-xx | 66-xx | 66-xx | 66-xx | ASTM-D3143 |
| Distillate test: Distillate, volume percent of total Distillate to 360°C | ||||||
| To 225°C | xx-35 | xx-25 | xx-20 | xx-xx | xx-xx | ASTM-D402 |
| To 260°C | 30-75 | 10-70 | 5-55 | xx-40 | xx-15 | ASTM-D402 |
| To 316°C | 75-95 | 65-93 | 60-90 | 45-85 | 15-75 | ASTM-D402 |
| Residue from distillation to 360°C,percent volume by difference | 50-xx | 55-xx | 67-xx | 75-xx | 80-xx | ASTM-D402 |
| Tests on residue from distillation | ||||||
| Viscosity at 60 °C | 30-120 | 30-120 | 30-120 | 30-120 | 30-120 | ASTM-D2170 |
| Penetration at 25 °C | 120-300 | 120-300 | 120-300 | 120-300 | 120-300 | ASTM-D5 |
| Ductility at 25°C | 100-xx | 100-xx | 100-xx | 100-xx | 100-xx | ASTM-D113 |
| Solubility in trichloroethylene, % | 99-xx | 99-xx | 99-xx | 99-xx | 99-xx | ASTM-D2042 |
| Water,% | xx-0.2 | xx-0.2 | xx-0.2 | xx-0.2 | xx-0.2 | ASTM-D95 |