Specifications, certificates of analysis and quotation correspondence in bitumen and sulphur trade are full of abbreviations. This glossary explains the terms you will meet most often, in plain language.
Bitumen terms
- Penetration
- How far a standard needle sinks into bitumen at 25 °C under a 100 g load in 5 seconds, measured in tenths of a millimetre. The higher the number, the softer the bitumen. "60/70" means 6.0–7.0 mm.
- Softening point (R&B)
- Measured by the Ring & Ball method. The temperature at which bitumen begins to flow. A higher value indicates better shape retention in hot climates.
- Ductility
- The distance a bitumen sample can be stretched before breaking, measured in centimetres. A high value indicates a flexible, crack-resistant binder.
- Flash point
- The lowest temperature at which bitumen vapour ignites. It defines the safe heating limit and is generally above 230 °C.
- Kinematic / absolute viscosity
- Resistance to flow. Kinematic viscosity is measured at 135 °C in cSt or mm²/s; absolute viscosity at 60 °C in poise. Both are used to set pumping and mixing temperatures.
- T.F.O.T. / R.T.F.O.T.
- Thin Film Oven Test. Simulates in the laboratory the ageing bitumen undergoes during production and laying. Retained penetration after the test indicates the binder's durability.
- VG grade
- Viscosity grading (VG 10, VG 30, VG 40), used in India and South Asia under the IS 73 standard.
- PG grade
- Performance Grade. The US Superpave system, written as "PG 64-22", expressing the upper and lower service temperatures of the binder.
- PMB / CRMB
- Polymer Modified Bitumen and Crumb Rubber Modified Bitumen. Additives improve elasticity and temperature resistance over standard bitumen.
- Cutback / emulsion
- Cutback is bitumen thinned with a solvent; emulsion is bitumen dispersed in water. Both can be applied at lower temperatures and are used in surface dressing and priming.
Sulphur terms
- Recovered sulphur
- Sulphur separated from acid gases at refineries and gas processing plants. Almost all sulphur traded today is obtained this way.
- Mesh
- A sieve opening measure. "325 mesh" is roughly a 45 micron opening; the higher the number, the finer the particle.
- Acidity
- Free acid content in sulphur, given as a percentage expressed as H₂SO₄. High values corrode storage and handling equipment.
- Bulk density
- Mass per unit volume (kg/m³), used in silo and hold capacity calculations. Roughly 1,150–1,250 for granular and 550–750 for powder.
Trade and logistics terms
- Incoterms
- Delivery rules set by the International Chamber of Commerce. The most common are EXW (ex works), FOB (free on board), CFR (cost and freight) and CIF (cost, insurance and freight).
- B/L — bill of lading
- The official document of sea carriage and the title document for the goods.
- COA
- Certificate of Analysis, showing the laboratory values of the shipped batch.
- MSDS / SDS
- Material safety data sheet, containing hazard class, handling and emergency instructions.
- L/C — letter of credit
- A payment method under which a bank pays against documents presented in conformity with the credit terms.
- LOI / PI
- Letter of Intent and Proforma Invoice — the first two formal steps of the ordering process.
- FCL
- Full Container Load, where the entire container belongs to one consignee.
- IMSBC Code
- International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code, governing the safe carriage of bulk cargoes and dividing them into Groups A, B and C.
- IMDG Class 4.1
- The flammable solids class. Lump and coarse-grained sulphur (UN 1350) is carried under it.
- Survey
- Quantity and quality determination carried out before or after loading by an independent firm such as SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas.