Viscosity Grade Bitumen

Viscosity grade bitumen (often just called VG bitumen) is another way of classifying bitumen — but instead of measuring how deep a needle goes in (like penetration grade), it measures how thick or fluid the bitumen is at certain temperatures.
In simple terms, viscosity is about how easily a material flows. Thicker (more viscous) bitumen is harder to spread, and thinner (less viscous) bitumen flows more easily.

Viscosity grading is more reliable, especially for modern road construction, because it better predicts how bitumen will behave in real-world conditions — like when it’s hot or under heavy traffic.

Types of Viscosity Grade Bitumen:

 

  1. VG-10

    • This is the thinnest and softest among the VG grades.

    • It’s mostly used in cold climates or for surface dressing where a quick setting is needed.

    • It’s also common in making bitumen emulsions.

  2. VG-30

    • A popular grade for hotter regions.

    • It offers better resistance to heat and heavy traffic, making it ideal for highways and expressways.

  3. VG-40

    • The thickest and hardest among the regular VG grades.

    • Best suited for very heavy traffic areas, like truck routes and busy urban roads.

    • It’s also used in areas with high temperature and heavy axle loads.

For more information about the types of viscosity grade, click the link below. 

  • VG10
  • VG30
  • VG40