Bitumen 40/50: the hard grade for hot climates and heavy traffic

The 40/50 is the hardest of the common penetration grades in international trade. When a 60/70 starts to rut under heat and heavy axles, the 40/50 is the one specified. Typical markets: high heavy-goods traffic corridors, port and industrial areas, countries where ground pavement temperatures stay above 50 °C.

Definition and specifications

At 25 °C, the standardised needle penetrates 40 to 50 tenths of a millimetre (ASTM D5 / EN 1426 test). The grade falls under ASTM D946 and AASHTO M20. ASTM D5 / EN 1426). Le grade relève de la norme ASTM D946 et de l’AASHTO M20.

Usual market values (ASTM D946 / AASHTO M20). The contractual values are those of the refinery’s certificate of analysis, verifiable by independent pre-shipment inspection. independent pre-shipment inspection.

Applications

Hot mix asphalt for base and wearing courses where resistance to deformation is paramount: national roads in hot climates, junctions and slow lanes, logistics platforms, airports. Its high softening point makes it markedly less prone to rutting than softer grades. The flip side: in cold climates it becomes brittle and cracks — it is not a universal grade.

40/50 or 35/50?

Les plages se recouvrent largement. Le 35/50 est la classe européenne (EN 12591) ; le 40/50 est la désignation des marchés fonctionnant en ASTM (Afrique, Moyen-Orient, Asie). C’est la norme de référence de votre contrat qui détermine la désignation à exiger — le comportement en service est comparable. Voir aussi le bitumen 60/70 and our grade selection guide.

Packaging

Bulk (bitumen carrier, insulated tanker truck), 180 to 190 kg steel drums — the dominant format for export to Africa — or big bags of around 1 tonne in containers.

E-Station supply

E-Station fournit du bitume 40/50 issu de son réseau de raffineries du Kurdistan irakien. MOQ 500 MT, paiement par letter of credit, inspection indépendante sur demande, livraison CIF vers l’Afrique francophone, le Maghreb et l’Asie. Consultez notre bitumen supplier or our page to buy bitumen in bulk, as well as the price of bitumen.

Buying 40/50 bitumen well for export

The choice of bitume 40/50 is justified above all in regions where service temperatures are high and where heavy traffic places strong demands on the pavement. Its greater hardness than the 50/70 gives it better resistance to rutting, provided that laying respects suitable compaction temperatures. A discerning buyer therefore checks upfront that the grade is compatible with their climate and their specification.

On the supply side, securing a lot of 40/50 bitumen means confirming the refinery origin, obtaining a compliant certificate of analysis and framing the logistics through a clear Incoterm. For large volumes, an independent pre-shipment inspection provides an additional guarantee on the conformity of the delivered product, while a letter of credit secures settlement between the parties. bitume 40/50 means confirming the refinery origin, obtaining a compliant certificate of analysis and framing the logistics through a clear Incoterm. For large volumes, an independent pre-shipment inspection provides an additional guarantee on the conformity of the delivered product, while a letter of credit secures settlement between the parties.

Frequently asked questions