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GENERAL PROPERTIES
Most bitumens are colloidal in nature. Bitumen are thermoplastics. They have no specific melting, boiling or freezing point . They are insoluble in water. They are highly impermeable to the passage of water. They are generally hydrophobic. They are chemically inert. They oxidise slowly.

HARDNESS
Determined by penetration test which classify it into grades whether it is 80/100, 100/120, or 60/70. The grades with penetrations greater than 40 are mostly used in road construction and occasionally in industrial applications. The grades with penetrations less than 40 are used exclusively in industrial applications. In hot climate lower grades such as 60/70 is used.

Softening point
It is the temperature at which bitumen

changes its state from semi solid to semi liquid . Softening point test is carries out by ring or ball method. This property make us to know whether given bitumen can be used at the particular place i.e. softening point value should be higher than pavement temperature otherwise bitumen present in the layer get soften and come out.

Ductility
It is the distance at which the film formed

when a standard sample of bitumen in a briquette mould trenched at the constant rate of pulling, breaks. Presence of ductility means the formation of the film and coating would be proper.

Viscosity
It is resistance to flow or inverse of fluidity. At

low or high viscosity of bitumen coating of binder around aggregates will not be proper.

Flash and fire point

Flash point : Temp at which bitumen catches

fire momentarily.
Fire point : Temp at which bitumen

completely burns.
These are to know up to which temp bitumen

can be heated up in the field and can be handle safely.

specific gravity
Specific gravity of a binder does not influence

its behaviour . But all the same , its value is needed in mix design. The property is determined at 27 C .

Durability
Bitumen durability refers to the long-term

resistance to oxidative hardening of the Material in the field. Although, in-service, all bitumens harden with time through reaction
With oxygen in the air, excessive rates of

hardening (poor durability) can lead to premature binder embrittlement and surfacing failure resulting in cracking and chip loss