Specifications of Polymer Modified Bitumen PMB 10/40

PMB 10/40 is the hardest grade in the EN 14023 penetration range, with a penetration of 10 to 40 (0.1 mm) at 25 °C. It combines a stiff base binder with polymer modification, so asphalt made with it carries heavy, slow and standing loads with little deformation while keeping more elasticity and cohesion than a hard unmodified bitumen. Pavement designers specify it for structural layers where stiffness is the main requirement. It is the first grade in the Tiger Bitumen Polymer Modified Bitumen range, followed by the slightly softer PMB 25/55.

Bitumen is the product brand of HY International Group. Every PMB 10/40 enquiry is quoted against the full EN 14023 designation and property classes set out in the buyer’s project specification.

Tiger Brand PMB 10/40 Specifications (EN 14023)

Only the penetration range is fixed by the grade name. EN 14023 lets each product declare its own class for the other properties, so the complete designation and every applicable property class for PMB 10/40 are confirmed against the relevant product specification before an order is accepted. Where a project specification uses a different cohesion method, such as the tensile test (EN 13587) or the Vialit pendulum (EN 13588), that method applies instead of force ductility.

How to read a PMB 10/40 designation

A full EN 14023 designation adds the minimum softening point to the penetration range. In PMB 10/40-65, one designation used in practice, the penetration at 25 °C is 10 to 40 (0.1 mm) and the softening point is at least 65 °C. Order the exact designation written in your specification; the softening point class is not implied by the penetration class alone.

PMB 10/40 properties

• Highest stiffness in the PMB range. The low penetration gives the binder a high modulus, which helps an asphalt layer spread wheel loads and resist rutting.
• Polymer cohesion in a hard binder. Unlike a hard unmodified grade, PMB 10/40 has measurable cohesion and elastic recovery, which help the layer tolerate repeated heavy loading.
• Suited to high pavement temperatures. A hard base binder combined with a raised softening point keeps the layer stiff through hot summers.
• Limited low-temperature flexibility. Hard binders become more brittle when cold, so the declared Fraass breaking point class must suit the coldest expected pavement temperature.

Applications of PMB 10/40

• High-modulus asphalt base and binder courses, where the project specification calls for a polymer modified binder.
• Heavy-duty pavements at ports, container terminals, logistics yards and industrial sites.
• Bus lanes, bus stations, toll plazas and junctions with slow or standing heavy vehicles.
• Lower structural layers of heavily trafficked roads in hot climates.

Selecting PMB 10/40

PMB 10/40 is the right choice only when stiffness is the governing requirement. Use the grade named in the project specification; as a general guide:

Handling PMB 10/40

PMB 10/40 is the most viscous grade in the PMB range, so it needs the highest mixing and compaction temperatures of any PMB. Keep temperatures within the limits stated for the specific product: below them the mix will not compact properly, and above them the polymer can degrade. Avoid long hot storage, and check the declared storage stability class before use.

PMB 10/40 FAQs