Oxidized bitumen 90/10 uses

The foregoing Table sets out the characteristics of several 85-100 pen asphalt cements. As mentioned above, in various countries, asphalt cements are graded by penetration. In other countries, such as the United States, asphalts are graded persuant to viscosity. In this regard, reference has been made above to ASTM standard D-3381. Asphalt precursors may be categorized, not only by penetration, but also by viscosity. Accordingly, in reference to ASTM standards, a “high quality paving asphalt precursor” is a vacuum tower bottom residue from refining of crude or crude blends suitable for production of paving asphalt cements meeting the requirements specified in ASTM D-3381, Table 2. A “low quality paving asphalt precursor” is a vacuum tower bottom residue from refining of crude or crude blends which are not suitable for production of paving asphalt cement meeting requirements specified in ASTM D-3381, Table 2, but are suitable for production of asphalts meeting the requirements specified in ASTM D-3381, Table 1. Further, a “non-paving asphalt precursor” is vacuum tower bottom residue from refining of crude or crude blends which are not suitable for production of asphalt cement meeting the requirements specified in ASTM D-3381 Table 1 or Table 2.

High quality paving asphalt cements may be obtained by careful selection of the crude oil from which the asphalt cement is to be made and the operating conditions used to obtain the vacuum tower bottoms. By making an appropriate selection, a high quality paving asphalt cement may be obtained. Such crude oils and operating conditions are known to those in the art. For ease of reference such VTB and similar materials which may be used as a high quality paving asphalt cement or from which a high quality paving Oxidized bitumen 90/10 is obtained comprise the high quality paving asphalt precursors. Conversely, those paving asphalt precursors from which a high quality paving asphalt cement may not be obtained are referred to hereinafter as “non-high quality paving asphalt precursors”. Similarly, those VTB and similar material from which a lower quality paving asphalt cement is obtained or which may be used as a lower quality paving asphalt cement comprise the low quality paving asphalt precursors. Non-high quality paving asphalt precursors include low quality paving asphalt precursors and non-paving asphalt precursors.