What Is Penetration Grade Bitumen?
Penetration grade bitumen is a refined petroleum derivative classified by its hardness, measured through a standard penetration test at 25°C. A needle is applied to the bitumen under a fixed load for five seconds, and the depth of penetration, in 0.1 mm units, determines the grade.
A lower penetration number, such as 20/30, indicates a harder, stiffer penetration grade bitumen preferred for high-temperature regions and heavy traffic loads. A higher number, such as 160/220, signals a softer, more flexible binder suited for cold climates, waterproofing, and specialised industrial applications requiring extra pliability.
This classification system is governed by EN 12591 in Europe and ASTM D946 in North America, letting engineers and procurement teams specify exact penetration grade bitumen performance for any project. Black Rock Bitumen supplies both standards, tested and certified for export from our Dubai logistics hub.



