Gilsonite is a mineral hydrocarbon in the form of powder and lump and has various applications.
Gilsonite, asphaltum or natural asphalt, is naturally mined from the depth of Earth and is considered a mineral substance.
It’s found in the form of shiny rock which is easily shattered and turns into powder.
Gilsonite is mainly found in the form of thin bumps and in veins; to mine the thinner layers, workers use pneumatic drills.
This hydrocarbon substance is used in many industries and many fields as the base and additive material to enhance the overall quality of the product.
Gilsonite powder is produced and refined in variety of qualities and specifications both physical and chemical which include ash and moisture content, specific gravity, softening point, penetration and etc.
Each can be refined to be used and applied in specific field.
From the most delicate industries such as cosmetics and medical products, paint and ink to road construction, paving maintenance and drilling mud enhancer.
As mentioned, Gilsonite is additive to improve the performance of many products so it has great importance to be able to distinguish the differences and specifications in order to have a appropriate purchase according to your needs.
Gilsonite mines can be found near oil reserves around the globe.
It’s used in more than 160 industries mainly applied in ink and paint, oil drilling mud, asphalt enhancer, additional substance to foundry and a wide range of other chemicals.
One of the common application of Gilsonite, is in insulation.
Gilsonite is added to the bitumen as an enhancer and gives a better quality bitumen.
It’s also one of the main ingredient in ink, paint and industrial coatings.
The amount and grade of gilsonite powder used in each, differs and depends on the quality and application of the product.
Gilsonite is also a significant substance which is used in road construction to be added to the asphalt and in result, there will be a more durable and more resistant pavement for high transit routes.
Asphalts which are combined with gilsonite have better physical performance compared to other types of asphalt.
They tend to be more resistant against water and deformation.
This natural substance is also used in ink and paint making.
In fact it is added to make the ink used in publishing, more monotonous and easily transmitted to the paper.
It gives the ink softer texture and better color.
Gilsonite Powder Specifications
Gilsonite is mined and used in the forms of lumps, granulated and micronized.
The lumps can be refined into powder.
Granulated gilsonite is the type with the mesh size of 30 to 40 and has larger particles than the micronized gilsonite which has the mesh size of 80 to 400.
Each also have different ash content from 0 to 25 percent.
Gilsonite with lower ash content is used in more delicate industries such as cosmetics and medical products and higher ash content is applied in industries which require more resistance and durability.
To use the natural bitumen as the paving grade and road construction, it must have high miscibility to have a homogeneous mix of both natural bitumen and oil based bitumen.
Therefore we have an standard paving grade bitumen.
Gilsonite Powder Packaging
There are several variables ways in which Gilsonite powder is stored and packaged to be exported or moved.
Generally manufacturers arrange the packaging according to the customer’s requirement and demand, but the common packaging are in 25kg 2ply laminated bags and also 1000kg jumbo bags.
Then they are packed and palletized to be exported by containers.
The bags which are used to package the Gilsonite powder, are able to melt at certain degrees so when they are being put in the bitumen hot mix, then they act as stabilizer in the mix, paper bags can be also recycled and are environmentally friendly.
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