Colored bitumen is obtained by mixing bitumen with pigments. Pigments are divided into two groups, organic and inorganic. Inorganic pigments such as iron oxide, chrome oxide, titanium dioxide and mixed pigments (such as cobalt blue) suit colouring bituminous mixes because they are stable in all weather conditions. Organic pigments are extracted from insects and plants; they are unstable against heat and weather, expensive, and unsuitable for mixing with bitumen. The most important organic pigments are azo pigments, formed from aromatic hydrocarbons.
Iron oxide is the most common inorganic pigment and comes in natural and synthetic forms. The natural type is light yellow, red brown, dark brown, greenish and brown; the synthetic type gives colours in the yellow, red to black and brown range. Colored bitumen plays an important role in producing coloured mixes, which mostly use red iron oxide and green chrome oxide. Clear and light colours can only be used with colourless or pale binders, which contain no asphaltenes and take colour well.
With these binders various colours can be made using yellow, brown, black and green iron and chrome oxides, provided the pigments have suitable heat resistance, since mixing usually takes place above 180°C. At temperatures above 180°C, yellow iron oxide turns red and black iron oxide turns brown. Ferrite and manganese products, and brown and black iron oxide pigments, are also used for their high heat resistance. Heat resistant pigments such as red iron oxide, green chrome oxide and titanium dioxide are suitable for producing coloured asphalt mixes in road surfacing.
Titanium dioxide is one of the most common inorganic pigments with a high refractive index; it produces white and exists in two morphological forms, anatase and rutile. Overall, red iron oxide pigment is the best pigment for bituminous mixes, but with bitumen free binders a wide range of colours from yellow to blue can be achieved.
Physical forms of pigments
Form
Notes
1. Compact
Compact particles are in the best case between 0.0001 and 0.001 mm. Fine pigment particles are mixed with a binder compatible with bitumen (such as cement mortar) so they stick together into small compacted spheres that flow easily. The amount of binder must be controlled so the compacted pigment stays stable in transport and storage yet disperses easily in the asphalt mix.
2. Powder
Powder pigments have very fine particles and do not flow easily.
3. Granules
Granules flow easily, like compact pigment.
4. Slurry
Pigment carried in liquid.
Powder pigment stored in silos must be discharged with mechanical aids such as vibrators. Compacted pigments flow easily, so they are simple to store in and discharge from silos and raise no dust. Another advantage of compacted pigments is their higher density compared with powder, so they take up less space in storage.
Packing data
Steel drum (barrel) specification
Steel drums are widely used for packing bitumen; their size, thickness and capacity must suit the filling equipment. Standard drums have a body plate thickness of 0.6 mm and come in two heights, tall and short, of 89 ± 3 cm and 68 ± 3 cm.
Property
Quantity
Unit
Body Plate Thickness
0.6
mm
Top & Bottom Plate
0.6
mm
Thickness Height
100
cm
Diameter
50±2
cm
Lid Hole Position
Center
Lid Hole Diameter
20
cm
Net Filling Capacity
182.5±2.5
Kg
Empty Drum Weight
9.5±0.2
Kg
Color
Furnace Black
Short drums hold about 150 kg and cost more per tonne than tall drums; in many markets tall drums of 180 kg filling are the most used.
A 20 ft container carries 110 drums without pallets or 80 drums palletised; a 40 ft container carries 137 drums without pallets or 150 drums palletised.
A flatbed truck carries about 115 drums without pallets or 90 drums palletised.
Used drums are not recommended: they do not meet international quality standards, and new drums reduce transport risk.
Overview
Colored paving requires a compatible binder, pigment and aggregate combination. The approved color sample, exposure conditions and mix design determine the requirements. Confirm the binder system and supply availability before specifying.
GradesColor and binder system to be agreed
StandardsProject specific color and binder requirements
The table is a selection guide. The agreed specification, edition and certificate of analysis for your lot determine acceptance.
System
Specification
Pigmented binder
Sample and compatibility to be approved
Pale binder system
Formulation and application to be agreed
Certificate of analysis
Certificate of analysis requirements.
Binder and pigment compatibility
Color sample, exposure and weathering requirements
Mix design and application temperature
Request the grade specific analysis with your quotation. Results, test methods and the applicable specification are confirmed for the supplied lot.
Packing
Packing and shipment formats.
The packing system is confirmed against the grade, handling equipment and transport requirements.
Representative packaging imageDrums
New steel drums
Sealed new steel drums, the most flexible way to ship: any quantity, any container, unloaded by forklift at site. Drums come tall or short; tall drums are the more widely used, and short drums cost more per tonne. We do not recommend used drums, which do not meet international quality standards; new drums reduce transport risk.
180 ± 3 kg net / 190 ± 3 kg gross per drum
150 ± 3 kg net / 159 ± 3 kg gross per drum
Stuffed in 20 ft containers
Marked and labelled to your instructions
Specification
Body plate thickness
0.6 mm
Top and bottom plate thickness
0.6 mm
Height
89 ± 3 cm tall drum, 68 ± 3 cm short drum
Diameter
50 ± 2 cm
Lid hole position
Centre
Lid hole diameter
20 cm
Net filling capacity
180 ± 3 kg tall drum, 150 ± 3 kg short drum
Empty drum weight
9.5 ± 0.2 kg
Colour
Furnace black
Loads per unit
Transport
Without pallets
Palletised
20 ft container
110 drums
80 drums
40 ft container
137 drums
150 drums
Flatbed truck
About 115 drums
About 90 drums
Representative packaging imageBulk
Bulk vessel
Heated bitumen tankers for large volumes into terminals with heated storage.
Large project volumes
Heated tanker to heated terminal
Lowest packing cost per tonne
Delivery terms
Export delivery terms.
FOB, CFR and CIF quotations under Incoterms 2020, from UAE ports.
Term
Name
What it covers
Details
FOB
Free on board
We deliver the cargo on board at the UAE port of loading.
Risk passes to you once the cargo is on board the vessel at the UAE port. You book and pay the sea freight and insurance. Best when you already have a freight forwarder or a shipping line contract.
CFR
Cost and freight
We pay the sea freight to your named port.
We book and pay the freight to your destination port. Risk still passes on board at loading, so you arrange cargo insurance. A simple choice when you want one landed freight price without buying our insurance.
CIF
Cost, insurance and freight
Freight and cargo insurance to your named port, both on us.
As CFR, plus we take out cargo insurance for your benefit until the destination port. Often requested by banks under a letter of credit.
