The term "bitumen" is used to describe refined Bitumen, a hydrocarbon product that is obtained and produced by removing lighter fractions such as LPG (liquid petroleum), gasoline, and diesel from crude oil during the refining process. Therefore, the artificial production (DYI) of Bitumen with the same properties is not possible. Bitumen is gained from the distillation of crude oil. Crude oil is widely believed to be made up of the remains of marine life and plants, along with mud and rock fragments deposited on the seafloor or compacted sedimentary rock. After millions of years, organic matter and sludge accumulated in layers hundreds of meters thick, and the heavy weight of the upper layers, puts pressure on the lower layers of the sedimentary rocks. The conversion of biological creatures and plant materials to crude oil hydrocarbons is thought to be the result of heat from the interior of the earth's crust and pressure from the upper layers of sediments, possibly as a result of bacterial action and radioactive bombardment. As the extra layers accumulate on the sedimentary rock from which the oil is composed, the extra pressure compresses the oil upwards and upwards through the porous rock. Where the porous rock reached the surface, oil leaked to the surface. Fortunately, a considerable amount of the oil and gas got trapped in the porous rock, which was covered with impermeable rock, resulting in the formation of oil and gas fields. The oil will remain here until it is discovered by seismic investigations and recovered by drilling impermeable rocks. Bitumen is manufactured directly to specifications by refining or blending. With all the mentioned arduous processes, it's almost impossible to make a DYI bitumen. Bitumen is largely produced in different grades such as 60/70 and 80/100. For more information on different bitumen grades and purchases, you can simply share your contact information with us in the form above. Our professional sales executives will reach out to you as soon as possible. 
How Bitumen is produced
Bitumen is a term attributed to any black sticky substance used for insulation and asphalt which is classified into two different types based on their production method. There’s natural Bitumen and petroleum bitumen that is the residue of the crude oil refining process. Bitumen is a natural hydrocarbon resin recently rediscovered in the Bonita River in northeastern Utah. This natural substance is the result of crude oil escape from the lower layers of the Earth. The names Asphaltum, Gilsonite, and Uintaite are also commonly used for this material. "Natural Bitumen is soluble in aliphatics and aromatics. Due to the high adaptability of this product, it is often used to fortify diluted petroleum derivatives. Whereas, Petroleum bitumen is a solid and semi-solid bitumen obtained directly from the distillation of crude oil or from other additional processes such as air blowing. Residual Bitumen or heavy oil is the distillation of crude oil. In addition, Bitumen procured from different sources can have many differences. Therefore, raw bitumen refineries should be carefully selected to ensure the quality of the Bitumen. Although, Bitumen should not be confused with coal-derived products such as coal tar and coal tar pitch. It is produced by high-temperature thermal decomposition of bituminous coal, and its comparison and physical characteristics are significantly different from those of bituminous coal. This company has the privilege to offer both natural and petroleum bitumen of high quality and at a competitive price. For more information, you can contact us. 
DIY Bitumen
Bitumen is referred to as any kind of viscose and highly dense petroleum-based hydrocarbon which is normally found in nature as a result of microbial processes over millions of years, or by some laborious processes, that can be produced artificially from crude oil. However, artificial bitumen manufacturing (DYI), is quite impossible to do at home. First, when the crude oil goes from the storage tank to the chemical furnace, the temperature of the crude oil rises to about 200 degrees Celsius. Then this material is reheated to a temperature of 300 ° C. At this temperature, the crude oil evaporates and the gaseous residues are sent to the distillation tower. Here the components are divided into lighter and heavier ones. The lighter part of the crude oil rises and the heavier part remains as waste near the bottom. This heavy residue is then distilled into a vacuum distillation column, where it is converted into usable Bitumen. This substance is known as Straight Run Bitumen. The grade of Bitumen produced depends on the amount of volatiles remaining in the Bitumen after distillation. Very volatile Bitumen has a lower purity.
What are the properties of Bitumen
Bitumen plays a particularly important role in the world in terms of the infrastructure that takes advantage of its properties. It is a semi-solid hydrocarbon product obtained by removing light terminals such as LPG from heavy crude oil during refining. It consists of a mixture of high-viscosity and high-viscosity black organic liquids. The following are some properties of Bitumen:
- Adhesion
- Softening Point
- Water resistance
- Viscosity and Flow
- penetration
- Ductility
- Durability
Adhesion: The adhesive properties of Bitumen combine all components without causing positive or negative changes in properties. Bitumen has the ability to adhere to solid surfaces in a liquid state, depending on the nature of the surface, but if the surface is wet or contains water, it will prevent it from adhering. 
Softening Point: This property indicates whether asphalt can be used in a particular place. For example, the softening point value must be higher than the packaging temperature. Otherwise, the asphalt in the layer will soften and fall off. Softening point shows the temperature the steel ball falls a known distance through the Bitumen when the test rig is heated at a known rate. Water resistance: Bitumen is insoluble in water and can be used as an effective sealant. In some cases, water may be absorbed by small amounts of the mineral salts in Bitumen or fillers. But generally, this property is considered one of the most important bitumen features. Viscosity and Flow: Viscosity or flow are important both at high temperatures during processing and application and at low temperatures where Bitumen is released during use. These properties vary greatly in different temperature and stress conditions. It deteriorates or loses the desired properties of Bitumen in a solid form. As a result, the stiffness and fluidity decrease, and the temperature of the softening point and the combined heat dissipation increase. Penetration: The bitumen penetration value determines the hardness or softness of Bitumen and it’s determined by measuring the depth of vertical penetration of a standard load needle in 5 seconds in millimeters while maintaining the temperature of the bitumen sample at 25 ° C. Ductility: A plasticity or ductility test is performed to determine how much Bitumen expands at temperatures below the softening point. This value is measured by placing a 1"2 block in the test fixture at 77°F. Plasticity values range from 0 to over 150, depending on the type of Bitumen. The presence of plasticity means that the formation of films and coatings will be suitable. Durability: The durability of Bitumen indicates the long-term resistance to oxidative curing of the material in the field. Although all bitumen types, cure over time through reaction. With oxygen in the air, excessive cure rates (reduced toughness) can lead to premature binder brittleness and surface cracking, resulting in splitting and loss of spalling. Bitumen lasts up to twenty years if properly maintained throughout the life of the pavement. 
Hot Bitumen vs Cold Bitumen
When installing asphalt pavement, hot mix asphalt and cold mix are two options to consider. Hot asphalt is a mixture of aggregates such as sand, gravel, and bituminous concrete, which is then heated prior to construction. This is typically used by heating the asphalt mix to 300-500 degrees at the manufacturing facility before it is transported and placed at the destination location. Hot mix asphalt is used in large-scale projects such as roads, parking lots, and driveways. It is weather-resistant, cools quickly, has a shorter installation process, bonds more strongly to aggregates, and makes the final product more durable and flexible than concrete. On the other hand, hot asphalt is more expensive than cold asphalt. Cold asphalt or cold mixed asphalt is often used for repairs or minor repairs. It requires no heat and the asphalt sack can be poured directly over holes or crevices to prevent damage from spreading. It is less expensive, more affordable, and requires less effort to install. It is also a great solution for repairing potholes or cracks to prevent further damage and reduce the risk of an accident. Making the right decision between Cold and Hot Bitumen depends on many factors, while both have advantages and disadvantages and also are utilized for different purposes, determining your needs will help you decide which one to use. If you would like to have more information about these types of Bitumen and how you can use them, we would be happy to make the right choice together with you.
What are the different types of Bitumen
Different types of Bitumen with different properties, specifications, and usages are available as per consumer industry requirements. Asphalt specifications also show variability in safety, solubility, physical properties, and durability. To understand how asphalt behaves in use, it is absolutely necessary to understand the physical properties of the material. Standard test methods are used for the classification of asphalt. The bitumen can be classified into Penetration Grade Bitumen, Oxidized Bitumen Grades, Cut Back Bitumen, Bitumen Emulsion, and Polymer Modified Bitumen.
Penetration Grade Bitumen:
Penetrating Bitumen is refined Bitumen with different viscosities. Penetration tests are performed to characterize asphalt based on its hardness. That is why it is called bitumen penetration. 
Oxidized Bitumen:
The filtered Bitumen is also treated by introducing treated air. This gives us oxidized asphalt. By maintaining a controlled temperature, compressed air is introduced into the soft asphalt. Oxidized Bitumen is used in roof and pipe coatings idustries.
Cutback Bitumen:
This is a type of asphalt that is permeable. This type of Bitumen has a temporary low viscosity due to the inclusion of volatile oils. After application, the volatile substances evaporate and the Bitumen takes on its original viscosity. The fluidity of any bitumen is obtained by increasing the temperature. But when low-temperature fluidity is required during surface coating, reduced asphalt is used.
Bitumen Emulsion:
This type of Bitumen forms a two-phase system with two immiscible liquids. One is dispersed in another liquid in the form of microscopic particles. An asphalt emulsion is formed when individual asphalt particles are dispersed in a continuous form of water. This is a permeable bitumen that is mixed and used for expansion purposes.
Polymer-Modified Bitumen
Polymer-modified Bitumen is a type of Bitumen produced by altering the strength and rheological properties of stepped bitumen penetration. Therefore about 2 to 8% polymer is added. The polymers used can be plastic or rubber. These polymers differ in strength and viscoelasticity of the Bitumen. 
Is Bitumen a natural resource
Bitumen is a natural material similar to crude oil. Like petroleum, Bitumen is a hydrocarbon made from the remains of long-dead organisms such as algae. There are two main resources of Bitumen. The first is where it occurs naturally - it is usually found at the bottom of lakes in the mud and other water sources. Of course, Bitumen can be found all over the world, with the largest deposit in Canada. The second source of tar is the source of today's petroleum wells. At one time, natural Bitumen was the most commonly used form of the material. However, because petroleum-derived Bitumen is usually much purer than natural Bitumen and can be produced in larger amounts and at a lower cost, the use of the synthetic form is becoming more common. Asphalt has become very common in our daily life. It's become such an abundant part of civil life. However, the history of asphalt goes back thousands of years.
Is Bitumen natural or synthetic
Bitumen can be both naturally occurring and also obtained from the crude oil in the process of refining. Therefore it can be considered both natural and synthetic. Natural Bitumen occurs naturally at the bottom of ancient lakes, where prehistoric organisms have decayed and been subjected to heat and pressure. Petroleum-based Bitumen on the other hand occurs through the distillation and refining process of crude oil, which removes lighter crude oil components like liquid petroleum (LPG), gasoline, and diesel, leaving the heavier Bitumen behind. In conclusion, Bitumen is both natural and synthetic.
Where do you find natural Bitumen
Bitumen deposits are found naturally all over the world. The most famous are Trinidad Pitch Lake and the La Brea Tar Pit in California, but large reserves are located in the Dead Sea in Venezuela, Switzerland, and northeastern Alberta, Canada. The chemical composition and consistency of these sediments are very different. In some places, Bitumen comes naturally from underground sources, and in others, it’s observed in a pool of liquid that can harden and turn into mountains. They’re seen through underwater infiltration, along sandy and rocky shores, too. Natural Bitumen is also found as sediment, commonly known as Bitumen or tar sand. It is a common term used for decades to describe oil-containing rocks exposed to the earth's surface. Other terms for such aggregation include petroleum sand, oil-impregnated sand, asphalt sand, rock asphalt, Bitumen, and Bitumen. 
Bitumen natural high temperature
Natural bitumen and asphalt mixtures can be exposed to high temperatures exceeding 240 °C during manufacturing, transport, or installation. This mainly concerns to the mixtures used to insulate road pavements during adverse weather. Because the Asphalt properties change with the temperature rise, and the viscosity is also exposed to change, the heating procedure should not alter the fundamental and rheological properties of binders and asphalt mixtures, which can lead to a reduction in pavement durability. Natural bitumen is far more durable than petroleum-based bitumen, but it, too, requires modifications in order to improve its qualities and function effectively in the application. To improve the endurance, stability, and heat tolerance of asphalt, natural bitumen is combined with it. Its increased heat tolerance makes it more suitable for use on high-traffic routes and in areas with inclement weather.
Is Bitumen used for waterproofing
Although the term "bitumen" sounds quite scientific, it is more commonly referred to as "asphalt." Apart from covering our roadways, bitumen is also widely used as a waterproofing material. Bitumen is a black viscous substance at room temperature. Bitumen, like hydrocarbons, tends to repel or at least does not mix well with water, which makes it highly hydrophobic and used as a waterproofing material. In a variety of formulations and applications, bitumen can be used to waterproof objects by preventing water penetration or to increase an object's resistance to moisture and remove moisture from objects. In coating applications, bitumen is used as the base for bitumen paint, which is a coating product consisting primarily of bitumen applied in liquid form. In Bituminous paints, bitumen is usually mixed with a solvent to give it other properties and improve the performance of the paint. The bitumen-based coating is also used on roofs in the form of a waterproof film. What makes bituminous coatings so effective as sealants or preventing water ingress is that they are not naturally soluble in water. This makes them a particularly effective barrier coating (the coating is designed to prevent corrosion by repelling elements that can cause corrosion, in this case, water), by preventing moisture from coming into direct contact with the substrate. Asphalt coatings also typically have strong adhesion, which increases their versatility with almost any material. In addition to being hydrophobic, bituminous coatings are known to be highly durable and inherently resistant to chemicals and UV light. When combined with other polymers, bituminous coatings can become more durable and flexible, so they can be used as a waterproofing solution for both above and below ground applications. Whether the material is iron, steel, aluminum, concrete, plastic, etc., bituminous coatings remain a very viable option for improving corrosion resistance in the harshest environments.
Natural bitumen production
As the name suggests, natural bitumen is occurred naturally therefore to understand its basis, we need to study the formation process rather than production. Natural bitumen deposits are formed from the remains of microscopic algae and other animals are deposited in the mud at the bottom of the ocean or lake where they live. Due to the heat and pressure of deep burial, the remains were likely transformed into materials such as bitumen, kerogen, or petroleum. There are also meteorites and archaeological rocks because they contain bitumen. Based on this information, scientists believe that some of the pitch was created during the Earth's accretion process and then reformulated by hydrocarbon-consuming microorganisms. In Mississippi Valley-type deposits, bitumen is associated with lead and zinc mineralization. Despite the existence of huge natural bitumen deposits in many parts of the world, the majority of bitumen produced is sourced from crude oil. Because natural bitumen extraction is more difficult than refining bitumen, it will cost more to the producers. It's also worth noting that natural bitumen can contain up to 5% sulfur, heavy metals, and other impurities, all of which must be removed. After extraction, bitumen is refined and in some cases modified, in order to be prepared to be applied in specific industries. Bitumen is mostly used for road paving. Other applications include bituminous waterproofing goods, such as the use of bitumen in the manufacture of roofing felt and the sealing of flat roofs. Since oil price is subject to change and rise, upgrading bitumen to synthetic crude oil has become extremely profitable, too. We work hard in order to supply you with high-quality bitumen from the top refineries at a fair price. Customer satisfaction is the ultimate concern, and our sales team is here to make sure you have a great customer experience and a long-term profitable business relationship.
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