Bitumen Grades Compared: Pen vs VG vs PG

Three grading systems dominate road specifications worldwide, and the same project file can mix them: a penetration grade in the materials clause, a VG grade in an Indian-standard drawing, a PG grade in an American-influenced specification. This guide explains how they relate so you can order with confidence.

Penetration grades (Pen)

Penetration grading classifies bitumen by the depth a standard needle penetrates at 25°C. Common grades are 40/50, 60/70 and 80/100: the lower the number, the harder the binder. Pen grades remain the everyday language of trade in Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and much of Asia, and they are the grades quoted on this site.

Viscosity grades (VG)

The VG system (VG-10, VG-20, VG-30, VG-40) classifies by absolute viscosity at 60°C. As a working comparison only: VG-10 sits near 80/100 pen, VG-20 near 60/70–80/100, VG-30 near 60/70, and VG-40 near 40/50. The overlap is real — viscosity and penetration measure different properties — so treat any conversion as approximate and check the full test set (softening point, ductility, flash point) against your specification.

Performance grades (PG)

PG grading (Superpave) classifies by the pavement temperature range the binder must serve: PG 64-22, for example, is designed for a maximum pavement temperature of 64°C and a minimum of −22°C. PG selection is climate- and traffic-driven and often implies polymer modification at the extremes. A 60/70 pen grade is frequently accepted where PG 64-16/22-type performance is needed, but acceptance is a specification decision, not an automatic equivalence.

Chinese grades (AH)

Chinese road projects specify AH grades under JTG standards: AH-70 (penetration 60–80) is the most common and includes a strict wax-content limit. If your project documents are Chinese-standard, order the AH grade directly rather than converting — we supply AH-70 with JTG E20 test reports.

How to order across systems

Send us the exact clause from your project specification — grade name, standard and any extra tests. We match the shipped batch COA to that clause and confirm equivalence in writing before you commit. That one step prevents nearly all grade disputes.

More Guides