Bitumen is a material used in the field of road, industrial and civil engineering. Its relevance is explained by the fact that the composition has excellent astringent properties, is able to create high-quality sealing and waterproofing of objects, and also creates a high-strength coating that can withstand significant loads and external negative effects of a natural and physical nature. The presence of these qualities in bitumen is explained by its nature of origin, which we will discuss in more detail in the article.

Bitumen - what is it and how is it obtained?
The mixing of tar, which are elements of primary oil refining, and high-molecular components of oil treatment units, form a homogeneous mixture called bitumen.
There are three main methods in bitumen production technology:

1. concentration of oil residues, i.e. residual petroleum products are distilled in vacuum together with steam or inert gas;
2. oxidation of the residual products of the direct distillation of oil, i.e. the oil units are exposed to oxygen, resulting in the formation of oxidized bitumen;
3. compounding or mixing of oil distillation residues with oxidized bitumen compounds.

In all three cases of bitumen production, petroleum products are stored, which is why the manufactured composition is commonly referred to as petroleum bitumen. The fundamental method of obtaining bitumen, both for construction and road purposes, is oxidation. During the oxidation process, the bitumen mass is in contact with oxygen at a temperature of no more than +300 °C.
It is worth noting that the production method affects the properties of bitumen. The predominant set of qualities possessed by petroleum bitumen are wear resistance, durability, high insulation quality and excellent protective properties.
Types of petroleum bitumen and their functionality
According to their intended purpose, bitumen mixtures are divided into road, construction and insulation. For each bitumen modification, an individual GOST is provided, the provisions of which regulate production, operational and technical issues. Thus, road bitumen is most often used as a binder in the construction and repair of roadways and raw materials for the production of modified bitumen and bitumen emulsions. All of the previously discussed methods may be used in the production of road bitumen. Bitumen for road works has many brands, for each of which an individual set of physical and mechanical parameters is provided. One of the key technical indicators of the road composition is the penetration depth of the needle + 25°C. For example, bitumen BND 130/200 has a penetration range from 130 to 200 mm.
The next, equally popular type of petroleum composition is construction bitumen, which is designed for various jobs in the sectors of the national economy. Its production is based on the oxidation method, and the use of compounding is also acceptable. The most popular brands of petroleum construction bitumen are BN 50/50, BN 70/30 and BN 90/10.
In addition to arranging roadways and carrying out construction work, facilities must be protected from corrosion and premature destruction. For such purposes, petroleum insulating bitumen is used, which is obtained by oxidizing residual petroleum products with oil extracts. In accordance with the conditions of use, insulating bitumen is divided into the following grades: BNI V, BNI IV 3 and BNI IV.