Gilsonite Resin
GILSONITE RESIN – A MODIFIER FOR HIGH STABILITY PAVEMENTS —EXPO ON ASPHALT; 7TH AAPA INTERNATIONAL ASPHALT CONFERENCE, BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA, 7-11 AUGUST 1988.
The use of modifiers to improve the performance of bituminous road paving materials is increasing worldwide. These additives range from polymers and fibers to lime. One product is now being considered very seriously by road paving engineers and paving contractors who are concerned both with high performance and cost-effectiveness. This product, Gilsonite resin, has long been known as a bitumen reinforcer and hardening agent. New evidence, both from the laboratory and from a fast-growing body of field work, demonstrates that Gilsonite resin offers a unique combination of high performance and economy for high-stress paving applications. The main benefit of Gilsonite resin is in producing road pavement mixes of much higher stability than conventional ones. A unique, natural hydrocarbon, high in asphaltenes and nitrogen compounds, gilsonite is a granular solid that is fully compatible with bitumen. It can be melted into hot bitumen, or it can be added during hot mix manufacture. In either case, gilsonite dissolves easily in bitumen and requires only a slight increase in mixing time to achieve a uniform, easily workable hot mix. The increased stability of gilsonite fortified pavements makes them more resistant to deformation problems, such as rutting and shoving and increases the pavement’s load carrying ability. In addition, laboratory tests and field results show that improved deformation resistance can be obtained while the pavement retains much of its original ductility and ability to resist low temperature cracking. Other positive benefits include increased resistance to water stripping and aging (a).
Gilsonite HMA Binder Grade is intended for use as a reinforcing agent for hot mix binders. It can be dissolved directly in hot bitumen, helping achieve higher PG ratings either in combination with more expensive polymers or as a replacement for them. It can also be added at the asphalt plant during the manufacture of hot mixes. Gilsonite/bitumen blends are permanently stable mixes and produce paving surfaces with higher stability and resistance to water stripping as well as reduced temperature susceptibility. HMA Binder Grade can be hot fluxed with bitumen to lower penetration, increase viscosity, increase softening point, improve stability and increase pavement life.
Packaging: Gilsonite HMA Binder Grade is available in 50 lb. and 25-kg net multi-ply paper bags, which may be palletized and stretch wrapped. It is also available in meltable plastic bags, bulk loaded trucks and in a variety of bulk bag sizes, as well as in a variety of grinds and pulverizing options.
