bituminous membranes
Gilsonite in bituminous membranes
Gilsonite is the best material to mix with bitumen and make composite roof insulation sheets for roofing and isolation with high flexibility and cheap price.
Gilsonite is used in roofing materials primarily as an agent to lower the penetration of petroleum asphalt without aging or oxidizing the base asphalt. Lowering the penetration of the base asphalt in this way allows the base asphalt to maintain some of its flexibility while at the same time maximizing the asphalt’s ability to withstand high temperatures without softening. Gilsonite is also used as a modifier to reach roofing specifications when air-blowing facilities are not available.
Gilsonite is also used by a number of manufacturers producing patching materials for roofing. Gilsonite is used to modify the patching materials and is distributed in containers to retail customers. Using Gilsonite as a modifier allows the product to remain pliable until applied, after which it permanently attaches to the treated surface.
The bituminous membranes are used for roofing and waterproofing membranes and Gilsonite is an important component of the natural bitumen content inside the Gilsonite mineral can greatly assist the waterproofing characteristics of the membrane considering the substitutes such as limestone and other fillers.
Bituminous membranes which are vastly used in construction and buildings, come in many forms, compositions, and applications. The basic composition of a bitumen adhesive membrane is made of viscous and waterproof materials which will result in a pressure sensitive membrane resistant to water. The main usage of such membranes goes for roofing of commercial and residential buildings.
During the production of the membranes, adding a certain amount of Gilsonite powder 30-40 or 100-mesh can greatly increase the shear strength. Gilsonite particles act as fillers among the membrane composition.
Since the membrane business is much cost sensitive and competitive, the manufacturers of bituminous membranes all over the world tend to use inexpensive fillers, including limestone for strengthening their end product. Therefore any high-priced Gilsonite which is sold as an additive to other applications will not eventually prevail. Utilizing a low-priced supply of Gilsonite, such as Iran Gilsonite with the ash content of 15-25% will create a great result here. Iranian Gilsonite is currently used vastly in India, Middle East and recently in Europe (mainly in Italy and Belgium). The membrane made with Iran Gilsonite filler has already passed EU standards for this application.
Using Gilsonite powder as an adhesive can strongly improve the membrane characteristics, while its bitumen content also increases the waterproofing effect. The only trick will be to find a Gilsonite with optimized value and enough bitumen content since ash content does not play an important role in this application.
Gilsonite is added to roofing asphalts. The compound acts as a waterproofing agent and as an adhesive that binds layers of roofing felt together.
Advantages of Gilsonite Application in Bituminous Membranes:
- Increase of shear strength of membrane
Increase flow resistance of membrane - Low-temperature flexibility is preserved if gilsonite is added in low quantity (around 5/7%)
High temperature (in the case of roof application) will not affect the membrane. - Decrease the tendency of the product to flow, e.g. on sloped roofs, and prevents localized displacement of the adhesive, e.g. due to foot traffic or the weight of overlying ballast.
- Helps to minimize thermally induced movement of these membranes when adhered to the rooftop substrate.
- The combination of low-temperature flexibility and high-temperature shear strength and flow resistance is particularly desirable in adhesives intended for use in roofing.
- Gilsonite bonds very well with any bituminous material.
- Bitumen Content of the Gilsonite will react with the base composition of bitumen immediately at 170 degrees.
- Since the Gilsonite is used as filler, the ash content is not sensitive and more economical products can be applied comparing to other Gilsonite Applications and also origins with high Gilsonite price including the USA.
Formula:
- BITUMEN 100 parts
- IONOMERIC ELASTOMER (SEPDM) 4 to 25 parts
- EXTENDER OIL 40 to 90 parts
- GILSONITE 1 to 10 parts
- CALCIUM CARBONATE As filler
