What is Bitumen? | Types and Tests of Bitumen

What is Bitumen?

Bitumen is a dense, highly viscous, petroleum-based hydrocarbon that is found in deposits such as oil sands and pitches lakes (natural bitumen) or is obtained as a residue of the distillation of crude oil (refined bitumen). It is generally composed of asphaltene resin and other petroleum compounds.  Different compositions of bitumen result in different properties. Origin of bitumen Bitumen is found in nature