What Is Performance Grade Bitumen?
Performance grade (PG) bitumen is a refined asphalt binder classified by its behavior under actual climate and traffic conditions, rather than a single hardness value. It is tested across temperature extremes to predict real-world performance from summer heat to winter cold.
Each grade is expressed as PG XX-YY, where XX is the maximum pavement temperature before rutting, and YY is the minimum temperature before cracking. For instance, PG 64-22 suits moderate climates, while PG 76-16 targets heavy traffic, high heat, or extreme cold.
This classification system — developed under the Superpave (SHRP) research program and governed by AASHTO M320 and ASTM D6373 in North America — allows engineers and procurement teams to match binder performance precisely to a project’s climate, loading, and durability requirements.




