Bitumi

Bitumi is the Italian plural form of bitume, a viscous black hydrocarbon used as a binder and waterproofing material in construction. In Italian technical literature, bitumi refers to both natural asphalt deposits and refined bitumen obtained from crude oil.

Natural bitumen occurs in geological deposits and lakes where it can flow slowly to the surface. Refined bitumen is produced by the processing and upgrading of crude oil, typically through vacuum distillation and subsequent treatments to adjust hardness and temperature behavior. The composition of bitumen varies by source but generally includes asphaltenes, resins, and lighter oils, yielding a material that is viscoelastic and softens with heat while becoming brittle at low temperatures.

Bitumen is most widely used as a binder in asphalt concrete for road and airfield pavements, and as a waterproofing material in roofing and waterproof membranes. It also appears in forms such as straight-run bitumen, air- or oxygen-oxidized bitumen, polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), emulsified bitumen, and cutback bitumen.

Properties and performance are described by metrics such as penetration grade, softening point, and viscosity, which help determine suitable applications and temperature resistance. Handling typically requires heating to reduce viscosity, with precautions for fumes and exposure during processing.

Environmental and safety considerations include potential soil and water contamination from spills and emissions during heating and manufacturing. Bitumi continues to play a central role in infrastructure, particularly in road construction, while advances focus on improving performance and reducing environmental impact.