Bitumen emulsions are two phase systems made of bitumen, water and one or more additives that help form, stabilise and modify the properties of the emulsion.
Emulsions are divided into four families: cationic emulsions, anionic emulsions, non ionic emulsions and clay emulsions. The first two families are used more than the others.
Emulsions are classified by breaking speed and type of use: RS rapid setting emulsion, MS medium setting emulsion and SS slow setting emulsion. Cationic rapid setting emulsion currently has the highest consumption.
Anionic emulsions
RS (rapid setting)
MS (medium setting)
SS (slow setting)
RS-1
MS-1
SS-1
HFRS
MS-2h
–
–
HFMS-1
–
–
HFMS-2
–
–
HFMS-2h
–
–
HFMS-2s
–
Cationic emulsions
CRS (rapid setting)
CMS (medium setting)
CSS (slow setting)
CRS-1
CMS-1
CSS-1
CRS-2
CMS-2h
CSS-1h
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
Emulsions disperse asphalt binder in water. Cationic grades use CRS, CMS and CSS family designations; ASTM D977 covers emulsified asphalt requirements, while ASTM D2397/D2397M specifies cationic grades. Set time, charge, viscosity, storage stability, residue and the complete suffix must match the job and aggregate.
GradesCRS / CMS / CSS cationic families · RS / MS / HFMS / SS anionic families
The table is a selection guide. The agreed specification, edition and certificate of analysis for your lot determine acceptance.
Grade family
Charge
Set class
Order detail
CRS
Cationic
Rapid
State full suffix and specification edition
CMS
Cationic
Medium
State full suffix and specification edition
CSS
Cationic
Slow
State full suffix and specification edition
RS
Anionic
Rapid
Select grade from the specified D977 table
MS / HFMS
Anionic
Medium
State high float requirement and full suffix
SS
Anionic
Slow
Select grade from the specified D977 table
Specifications
Technical specifications.
Typical limits with the test method for each property. A certificate of analysis is issued for each lot; it and the agreed specification govern acceptance.
Emulsion families
Bitumen emulsions are two phase systems of bitumen, water and one or more additives that help form and stabilise the emulsion and modify its properties. They fall into four families; the first two, cationic and anionic, are the most widely used.
Family
Particle charge
Notes
Cationic
Positive
Bonds well with most aggregates, including siliceous aggregates; the most widely used family
Anionic
Negative
Suited to limestone and other basic aggregates
Non ionic
Neutral
Used for special applications and blends
Clay stabilised
Stabilised with fine clay
Very slow setting, for special mixes and coatings
Emulsion grades by setting class
Emulsions are classified by breaking speed and application. Anionic grades follow ASTM D977; cationic grades follow ASTM D2397/D2397M. HF denotes high float grades. Cationic rapid setting grades currently have the highest consumption.
Demulsibility and coating ability / water resistance
Residue and residue properties by the specified test method
Particle charge for cationic material; full grade suffix and edition recorded on the offer
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 imageLiquid
Flexi bags / flexitanks
Flexi packing is quoted for compatible products and approved container systems. Specify the product, loading temperature and destination so the packing system can be confirmed.
About 20 t per flexitank in a 20 ft container
Product and liner compatibility confirmed before loading
Standard container freight
Pumped out at destination
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.
