Australian Standard Bitumen C170 is a medium-viscosity paving grade delivering reliable workability, strong adhesion, and long-term durability, making it ideal for sprayed sealing, surface treatments, and road construction across varied Australian climates.
Under AS 2008:1997 (Standard Specification for Residual Bitumen for Pavements, published by Standards Australia), bitumen is classified by its dynamic (absolute) viscosity or kinematic viscosity at 60°C into classes: C170, C240, C320, C450, and C600, where the number represents the target kinematic viscosity in mm²/s. C170, with its target viscosity of 170 mm²/s, is the most fluid standard grade and is classified as a “Class 170” bitumen. Compared to other classification systems, C170 is broadly equivalent to a 170/200 penetration grade bitumen or approximately AC-5 in the AASHTO system. Its low kinematic viscosity ensures excellent spray coverage in surface dressing operations — the binder breaks into a fine mist at the spray bar that coats aggregate particles uniformly without bridging or clogging. This is a critical performance characteristic that stiffer grades cannot replicate at practical application temperatures.
We deliver bitumen in versatile, secure options: economical Jumbo Bags, robust steel Drums, or high-volume Bulk Containers (Bitutainers/Bituboxes).
Australian Standard Bitumen C170 is a medium-viscosity paving binder designed for spray sealing and road maintenance, delivering reliable adhesion, durability, and consistent performance under Australian climate conditions.
C170 is a viscosity-graded bitumen produced to Australian Standards, commonly used in sprayed sealing and road construction applications.
C170 is widely used for spray seals, chip sealing, and maintenance works on roads exposed to moderate traffic loads.
C170 offers balanced viscosity and durability, providing reliable adhesion and performance across varied Australian weather conditions.
Yes, C170 bitumen supplied by Black Rock Bitumen meets relevant Australian Standards for consistency, quality, and performance.
It delivers good workability, strong aggregate bonding, and dependable long-term pavement performance in spray seal applications.
Bitumen C170 is specified under AS 2008:1997 (Residual Bitumen for Pavements), published by Standards Australia. It is also referenced in Austroads pavement design and construction guides, which serve as the technical authority for road design across all Australian states and territories.
C170 can be used in hot mix asphalt (HMA) for cold-climate applications and low-volume roads where flexibility and cold-temperature performance are priorities. For standard HMA on national highways in temperate climates, C240 or C320 is typically specified. For hot Australian climates, C450 or C600 is recommended.
Bitumen C170 should be applied at 165–175°C for sprayed sealing operations to achieve optimal spray viscosity. For prime coat applications, lower temperatures (140–160°C) are typical. Application temperatures must comply with Austroads specifications and the project's bitumen spray rate design.
Bitumen C170 is available in bulk heated liquid tankers (for importers with heated receiving facilities), 200 kg new steel drums, and flexi-bag containers for certain shipping configurations. Minimum order quantities and pricing are available upon request.
AS 2008:1997 classifies paving bitumens by their dynamic (absolute) viscosity at 60°C in Pascals-seconds (Pa·s), which corresponds to kinematic viscosity in mm²/s. The five standard classes are C170, C240, C320, C450, and C600, where the number represents the nominal kinematic viscosity target. Higher numbers indicate stiffer, more viscous binders suitable for hotter climates and heavier traffic.
