Gilsonite, a natural bitumen extractable in lump form from mines with varying ash content, finds applications in diverse industries.
Primary uses of gilsonite include road construction, drilling mud, and the printing industry. In the production of micronized gilsonite powder, extracted lumps undergo crushing and milling to achieve desired mesh sizes. The finer the grains, determined by mesh size, the larger the application scope.
Specifications of Gilsonite in Different Applications
| Specifications | Test Method | Drilling | Asphalt & Road | Isolation | Paint & Ink | Foundry |
| Ash Content, WT% | ASTM D3174 | 7-13 | 10-15 | 10-20 | 7-10 | 10 |
| Mesh Size | ASTM D546 | 200 | 100-200 | 100 | 200 | 100-200 |
| Moisture Contentment, WT% | ASTM D3173 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 | 1-3 |
| Volatile Matter, WT% | ASTM D3175 | 65-85 | 65-85 | 65-85 | 65-85 | 65-85 |
| Solubility in CS2,WT% | ASTM D4 | 75-85 | 70-80 | 70-80 | 80-90 | 75-85 |
| Specific Gravity, at 25 °C | ASTM D3289 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.05 | 1.05 |
| Color | – | Black | Black | Black | Black | Black |
| Softening Point | ASTM D36 | 180-220 | 180-220 | 180-220 | 180-220 | 180-220 |
Micronized gilsonite powder comes in variations with different ash content percentages (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%) and mesh sizes, adhering to the ASTM E-11 standard. Mesh sizes range from 35 to 635 (500 to 20 microns), with 200 mesh (74 microns) being a popular choice for customers.
Gilsonite boasts versatility, finding use in road construction for enhancing asphalt strength and resistance. In drilling engineering, it stabilizes wellbores and controls drilling mud loss, while in the printing industry, it serves as a cost-effective alternative in ink production.
Beyond these main applications, gilsonite is employed in painting, coating, cable, construction insulation, cosmetic, rubber, and metallurgical industries. The material’s processing also extends its usability in pharmaceutical applications.
Gilsonite’s benefits include excellent adherence, prolonged durability, and high resistance in high-temperature environments. Factors influencing its price include ash content percentage, mesh size, solubility percentage, carbon percentage, moisture content, form (powder or lump), packaging, and order season. During rainy seasons, closure of natural bitumen mines affects availability, impacting market prices.
Quality assessment of gilsonite considers factors like solubility, ash content, and mesh size. Higher solubility, lower ash content, and larger mesh sizes contribute to superior bitumen quality.
Various packaging options are available for gilsonite, including Kraft bags on pallets, AD Star bags on pallets, AD Star bags in jumbo bags on pallets, micronized powder in jumbo bags, and ordinary bags (25 Kg) on pallets or in jumbo bags on pallets.