Bitumen is a dense, black, and sticky hydrocarbon compound known for its water-resistant, adhesive, ductile, and durable nature. It is derived from the heaviest fraction of crude oil distillation and is widely used in road construction and industrial applications.
As per IS 73:2013 specifications, bitumen is classified into four viscosity grades (VG) — from softer (VG-10) to harder (VG-30) — based on their performance characteristics under varying temperature and traffic conditions.