Bitumen 60/70 explained: penetration and softening point values, road uses, packing options and what to request from a supplier before you order.
Bitumen 60/70: Specifications, Uses and How to Buy
Bitumen 60/70 is a penetration-grade paving bitumen whose needle penetration at 25°C falls between 60 and 70 tenths of a millimetre. It is the standard road binder across Malaysia and much of Asia. This guide covers its typical specification, where it is used, how it is packed and shipped, and what to ask a supplier for before you order.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-24. Publisher: PetroBind Global.
What is bitumen 60/70?
Bitumen 60/70 is a straight-run, unmodified bitumen graded by the penetration test: a standard needle is pressed into the sample at 25°C under a fixed load, and the depth reached, measured in tenths of a millimetre, must fall between 60 and 70. A higher number means a softer binder. Grade 60/70 sits in the middle of the paving range, hard enough to resist rutting in tropical heat and soft enough to stay flexible under traffic, which is why it is the default choice for hot-mix asphalt in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and many other warm-climate markets.
What are the typical specifications?
The values below are the typical properties PetroBind Global lists for Bitumen 60/70. They are indicative: the confirmed values for your shipment are on the batch Certificate of Analysis (COA), and your project specification or national standard (for example MS 124 or JKR/SPJ/2008 in Malaysia) governs acceptance.
| Property | Typical value | Test method |
|---|
| Penetration at 25°C | 60-70 dmm | ASTM D5 |
| Softening point | 49-56°C | ASTM D36 |
| Ductility at 25°C | 100 cm min | ASTM D113 |
| Flash point | 250°C min | ASTM D92 |
Always compare the COA for your actual batch with your tender or project specification before accepting a shipment.
Where is bitumen 60/70 used?
Bitumen 60/70 is the binder in most hot-mix asphalt, the mixture of heated aggregate and bitumen that forms road surfaces. It is also used as the base binder for polymer-modified and rubberized asphalt, and as feedstock for emulsion production.
- Highways, urban roads and wearing, binder and base courses.
- Airport runways, taxiways and port container-terminal pavements.
- Bridge decks, industrial yards and parking areas.
- Base binder for polymer-modified or crumb-rubber modified asphalt.
How is bitumen 60/70 packed and shipped?
Packing depends on your receiving capability. New steel drums (commonly 180 kg, with 200 kg by availability) suit containerized imports and sites without heated storage. Jumbo bags, bitubags, bitutainers, flexibags and bulk supply suit larger programmes where heating and discharge equipment are in place. PetroBind confirms which format is practical for the grade, route and destination before quoting.
What should you ask a supplier for before ordering?
A credible bitumen supplier should be able to provide each of the following before you commit to a purchase.
- A Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the batch, showing penetration, softening point, ductility and flash point against the test methods above.
- A Product Data Sheet (PDS) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- Clear packing, quantity, Incoterm (FOB, CFR, CIF or DAP) and destination port.
- Payment terms confirmed in writing and independent third-party inspection (for example SGS) arranged before shipment.
How do you request a quote for bitumen 60/70?
Send an RFQ with the grade (60/70), quantity or monthly volume, destination port, packing preference, target Incoterm and any project specification. PetroBind reviews availability, documents and logistics before responding. There are no trial or sample lots: genuine orders proceed by RFQ or PO.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What does 60/70 mean in bitumen?
- A: It is the penetration range of the bitumen: a standard needle sinks 60 to 70 tenths of a millimetre into the sample at 25°C under a fixed load. The lower the number, the harder the bitumen.
- Q: Is bitumen 60/70 the same as VG 30?
- A: No, but they are close in practice. 60/70 is graded by penetration (ASTM D5) while VG 30 is graded by viscosity at 60°C (the Indian IS 73 system). Many buyers treat them as roughly comparable paving grades, but check which one your specification names.
- Q: What is the difference between bitumen 60/70 and 80/100?
- A: 80/100 is softer. It suits cooler climates or mix designs that need more flexibility, while 60/70 is preferred where high pavement temperatures make rutting the main risk.
- Q: How much does bitumen 60/70 cost?
- A: Price depends on the crude and refinery market, freight, packing and Incoterm, so PetroBind quotes per RFQ and does not publish a fixed price. See the bitumen pricing guide for what moves the price.
- Q: Does PetroBind sell small trial or sample quantities of 60/70?
- A: No. PetroBind does not offer trial or sample lots. Orders proceed by RFQ or PO with confirmed payment terms and independent inspection arranged before shipment.