 Shell Mexcut H is a clear coloured, refined hydrocarbon derived from crude petroleum. It is used for cutting road-grade bitumen in order to provide a binder which has a lower viscosity, or temporarily more fluid. After application, the cutback bitumen "wets" the newly-spread aggregate to ensure a strong adhesion between binder and aggregate surface. A cutback bitumen can be handled at lower temperatures. Cutback bitumen based on bitumen cutters with lower flash points instantly lose the more volatile component of the bitumen cutter. This reduces the effective "wetting" ability and thus diminishes the adhesion strength between the binder and the aggregate. Over time, the remaining part of the bitumen cutter evaporates at a rate dependent upon several factors, particularly heat. Since Shell Mexcut H has these more highly volatile fractions removed, there is less initial loss of bitumen cutter and hence has a more effective ability to "wet" the aggregate surface or reduce the amount of cutter required. Extensive testing has also confirmed that the reduction of the bitumen viscosity, or "cutting power", is as great using either Shell Mexcut H or other bitumen cutters with lower flash points. The avoidance of these latter types of bitumen cutters greatly reduces the potential hazard and necessary precautions when using a Dangerous Good. | 
