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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). The grade falls under the ASTM D946 standard and AASHTO M20.
| Characteristic | Typical value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Penetration at 25 °C | 40–50 (0.1 mm) | ASTM D5 |
| Softening point | 52–60 °C | ASTM D36 |
| Ductility at 25 °C | > 100 cm | ASTM D113 |
| Flash point | ≥ 232 °C | ASTM D92 |
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?
The ranges overlap widely. The 35/50 is the European class (EN 12591); the 40/50 is the designation of markets working under ASTM (Africa, Middle East, Asia). It is the reference standard of your contract that determines the designation to require — the in-service behaviour is comparable. See also the 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.
Quality control on receipt
On a hard grade like the 40/50, intended for high heat and heavy traffic, compliance must be checked before loading and on delivery. Each batch comes with a certificate of analysis (CoA) from the refinery, which we have cross-checked by an independent inspection of the SGS type or equivalent when the contract provides for it.
The points to check as a priority on a 40/50:
- Penetration at 25 °C between 40 and 50 (0.1 mm), ASTM D5 test.
- High softening point, a guarantee of resistance to rutting under heat.
- Flash point and ductility compliant with ASTM D946 / AASHTO M20.
- Consistency between the refinery CoA and the inspection report at loading.
On routes with heavy-goods traffic and in hot climates, this verification is decisive: it ensures that the binder delivered will hold the load and the temperature without deforming.
E-Station supply
E-Station supplies 40/50 bitumen from its network of refineries in Iraqi Kurdistan. MOQ 500 MT, payment by letter of credit, independent inspection on request, CIF delivery to French-speaking Africa, the Maghreb and Asia. See our bitumen supplier or our page to buy bitumen in bulk, as well as the price of bitumen.
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State your grade, your quantity, your port of destination and the desired Incoterm. An expert replies with a firm offer within 48 hours.
Request a quotationBuying 40/50 bitumen well for export
The choice of bitumen 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. bitumen 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
Why choose a 40/50 rather than a 60/70?
For its resistance to rutting: heavy, slow or channelled traffic, and very hot pavements. If your climate and traffic are moderate, the 60/70 is enough and is easier to work with.
Does the 40/50 require a higher application temperature?
Yes, a harder grade is pumped and mixed at a higher temperature than a soft grade. The exact temperatures appear on the cargo’s technical datasheet.
Is it available in drums?
Yes, 180 to 190 kg steel drums, about 110 drums per 20-foot container.