What’s the Difference Between Penetration vs Oxidized Bitumen?

The main difference between Penetration vs Oxidized Bitumen lies in how they are produced and where they are used.
Penetration bitumen comes directly from crude oil distillation and serves mainly in road construction, while oxidized bitumen is made by blowing air through penetration bitumen to create a harder, more temperature-resistant material used in roofing and waterproofing.
In short, penetration bitumen offers flexibility, and oxidized bitumen provides durability and heat resistance.

What Is Penetration Grade Bitumen?

Manufacturers produce penetration grade bitumen directly from vacuum residue during crude oil refining.
Its name comes from the penetration test, which measures how deep a needle sinks into the bitumen under specific conditions. A lower penetration number means a harder material.

Common Grades: 40/50, 60/70, 80/100

Main Properties:

• Medium hardness and excellent flexibility

• Softening point between 48–56°C

• High adhesive strength with aggregates

• Uniform performance under traffic and weather

Typical Uses:

• Asphalt and road construction

• Pavement layers, runways, and surface dressing

• Waterproof coatings and sealing

Penetration bitumen remains the top choice for asphalt roads and flexible pavements, thanks to its balance between softness and durability.

What Is Oxidized Bitumen?

Oxidized bitumen, also called blown bitumen, is produced by passing hot air through penetration grade bitumen at controlled temperature and pressure.
This process increases its softening point and decreases its penetration value, resulting in a harder, more heat-resistant material.

Common Grades: 85/25, 90/15, 95/25, 115/15

Main Properties:

• Softening point between 85–115°C

• Low penetration (15–40 dmm) for hardness

• Excellent resistance to deformation under heat

• Superior waterproofing and chemical stability

Typical Uses:

• Roofing felt and waterproofing membranes

• Joint sealants, pipe coatings, and mastics

• Soundproofing and electrical insulation products

Oxidized bitumen performs best in industrial and waterproofing applications that require high thermal stability and long service life.

Penetration vs Oxidized Bitumen – Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Bitumen Type

When deciding between penetration grade bitumen and oxidized bitumen, focus on the application and environmental conditions:

Choose penetration grade bitumen for:

• Asphalt roads, flexible pavements, and hot mix plants

• Projects needing flexibility under traffic and temperature changes

Choose oxidized bitumen for:

• Roofing, waterproofing, and corrosion-resistant coatings

• Industrial uses that require heat stability and hardness

Both products play vital roles in construction, but their performance depends on temperature, application, and design needs.

Conclusion

Both penetration grade bitumen and oxidized bitumen deliver strong performance — the first offers elasticity for roads, while the second provides stability for industrial use.
By understanding their differences, engineers and contractors can select the right material for lasting results.

Gold Bitumen , a leading manufacturer and exporter of premium bitumen products, produces both penetration and oxidized bitumen under ASTM and EN standards, supplying industries worldwide with reliable quality and consistent performance.