Oxidized Bitumen
In this article, we become acquainted with the production of Oxidized bitumen, its types, applications and uses. So, stay with us until the end of this article.
How do the specialists produce oxidized bitumen?
In order for petroleum bitumen with a high degree of softness to have elasticity even in cold weather, they blow it into the air to oxidize it.
Blowing hot air into the pure bitumen in the last stage of the filtration process results in a blown or oxidized bitumen (Rubbery Grade).
In this process, hot air at a temperature of 200 to 300 ° C blows into the chamber containing the bitumen by perforated pipes.
As a result of this process, the hydrogen atoms in the molecules of bitumen hydrocarbons combine with the oxygen in the air,
and with the formation of water, polymerization takes place and bitumen with the properties of mineral bitumen appears.
What are the oxidized bitumen’s applications and specifications?
Oxidized (blown) bitumen are all functional in industrial applications such as roof and floor waterproofing, rubbers, pipe coatings, paints, etc. These types of bitumen have classifications due to the softness and degree of penetration. For example, 85/100 bitumen is the oxidized bitumen type that has a soft point of 85 and a degree of penetration of 100 DMM.
Oxidized bitumen also meets the criteria of solubility and weight loss due to heat according to the standard. In other words, the softening points of blown bitumen are much higher than their corresponding penetration bitumen grades. As a result, the thermal sensitivity of oxidized bitumen types is much higher. For instance, their penetration index is much higher, between +2 and +8.
More about Oxidized bitumen or BOF
BOF is generally a waterproofing based on blown bitumen which has a layer of fiberglass cloth and a layer of non-woven polyester. In the following, we will discuss the types.
Types of BOF
- Simple isogum
This type of isogum will be suitable after installation if it covers the insulation surface.
- Isogum with an aluminum foil coating.
This type of isogum is applicable when installing uncoated insulation.
In addition to creating beauty on the work surface, aluminum foil reflects the sun’s UV rays and reduces heat absorption in the roof and walls of the building, and in cases such as waterproofing all building surfaces such as flat and sloping roofs, walls, bathrooms, And the kitchen, building foundation, pool, and waterfront, etc. have practical uses.
Advantages of oxidized bitumen
Raw materials in the production of BOF isogum insulation appear in compliance with all standards.
In fact, this product has no recycled materials and wastes, and the bitumen in it is a combination
of petroleum bitumen produced by the country’s refineries with a special formulation.
It’s good to know that this product has about a 5-year quality assurance insurance policy.
It’s worth mentioning that safety equipment such as helmets, gloves and seat belts are obligatory during installation. Besides, make sure that the work surface and concrete of the structure are dry before installing the insulation so that it does not separate from the work surface after the installation due to the release of vapors from the evaporation of moisture. After installing the insulation, covering the surface to prevent damage is essential.
As mentioned before, the product industrial applications are building waterproofing for roofs and floors, tires, pipe coatings, paints, etc. According to the above, classification and coding of oxidized bitumen happens with the help of softness and degree of penetration. For example, oxidized bitumen 40/85 has a soft point of 5 + – 85 oC and a degree of penetration of 40 + -5 DMM.
Plastic polymer bitumen or BPP
Isogum is based on prefabricated waterproofing 60/70 bitumen,
which is a type of first-class bitumen. As you may know, pure bitumen is a crude oil refining product
extracted from oil rigs.
By heating pure bitumen in refineries bitumen, gasoline, petroleum solvents, lamp oil, gas oil, and other light oils will appear.
Then, they separate in the refinery distillation towers and the bitumen
remains at a temperature of about 380 degrees (at normal pressure).
It becomes solid or semi-solid. Besides, the moisture insulation produced with pure bitumen is suitable for sealing roofs with asphalt, cement and mosaic coatings. The naming of pure bitumen types is by grading their penetration.
On the other hand, isogum has a pleasant bitumen odor at the time of installation
and due to its molecular distance, its adhesion is extremely high and less thick.
Advantages of plastic polymer isogum
First thing to mention is the fact that the lifespan of this isogum is over 15 years.
This type of isogum has high flexibility in the high cold up to 5 degrees and in the extreme heat of 100 degrees.
Due to the presence of pure bitumen in this isogum, it had a suitable weight. In addition, it prevents additional load on the building and structure.
The production of this insulation is due to the national standards and is in the group of type A waterproofing.
The difference between oxidized bitumen and polymer bitumen is simply in the quality and durability of polymer bitumen which is higher than blown bitumen.
As another advantage of polymer bitumen, it is more resistant to cold and heat than oxidized bitumen.
The thickness of polymer bitumen is less than blown bitumen and does not put much pressure on the building.
Besides, the smell of polymer bitumen is better and more pleasant than blown bitumen.
Sum up
As the ultimate point, we apply blown Asphalts for a wide variety of industrial
and specialty purposes. Just a few of these are a variety of roofing uses
pipe coating enamels, underselling asphalts to hollows beneath Portland
cement concrete pavements, and waterproof layers for lining
channels and ponds.
