What Is Chinese Grade Bitumen AH50?
Bitumen AH50 is a hard-grade penetration binder produced under the Chinese AH classification system, with a penetration value of 40–60 (0.1mm units) at 25°C. This lower penetration range makes it noticeably stiffer than standard paving grades, giving it strong resistance to deformation.
With a softening point of at least 49°C and ductility above 100cm at 25°C, AH50 holds its shape under heavy loads and high temperatures while still retaining enough flexibility for proper compaction. This combination of hardness and stability reduces the risk of rutting on roads that see constant, heavy axle loads.
This makes AH50 well suited to highways and heavy-traffic roads in hot climates, where softer binders would soften and deform under sustained pressure. It’s the grade of choice when pavement durability and resistance to high temperatures matter more than flexibility.
We deliver bitumen in versatile, secure options: economical Jumbo Bags, robust steel Drums, or high-volume Bulk Containers (Bitutainers/Bituboxes).
BlackRock Bitumen supplies Bitumen 等级 AH50 worldwide, delivering consistent quality for global road construction projects.
Bitumen Grade AH50 is a hard penetration-grade bitumen derived from crude oil, with a penetration value of 40–60 (0.1mm) at 25°C. It falls under the Chinese penetration-grade classification and is designed for heavy traffic and high-temperature road conditions.
AH50 has a specific gravity of 1.01–1.06 at 25°C, softening point of 49°C minimum, ductility of 100cm minimum at 25°C, flash point of 230°C minimum, and solubility in trichloroethylene of 99% minimum, per ASTM test methods (D70, D5, D36, D113, D92, D2042).
AH50 bitumen has a penetration range of 40–60 (in 0.1mm units) measured at 25°C under 100g load for 5 seconds, tested per ASTM D5. This makes it one of the hardest grades in the AH bitumen series.
AH50 is commonly used for heavy-duty road paving, highways, airport runways, and other high-stress pavement applications where resistance to deformation under load is critical.
AH50 bitumen is suitable for hot and high-temperature climates, where its higher softening point (49°C minimum) and low penetration help it resist softening and rutting under sustained heat and heavy loads
Yes, AH50 is specifically designed for roads with high traffic volumes and heavy axle loads, offering greater stiffness and rutting resistance than softer AH grades.
AH50 has the lowest penetration value (40–60) among the standard AH grades, making it the hardest and stiffest. Higher-numbered grades like AH110 and AH130 are softer and more flexible, better suited to cooler climates and lighter traffic.
AH50's higher hardness and softening point reduce rutting and permanent deformation under heavy loads, which extends pavement service life on high-stress roads and highways.
