Paving grade asphalts however, are highly sophisticated binders that are residual from the refining of natural crude petroleum. Today, more than two thousand products are obtained from dividing crude oil; diesels, kerosenes, gasolines (distillates), and asphalt binders are just a few examples of products that can be produced. After distillates are removed, asphalt cement component remains and is engineered to make quality Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements. Asphalt binder is a readily adhesive strong cement, is waterproof, and very durable. Performance Grade binders (technical term for asphalt cement) are highly refined binders used for making modern asphalt pavement mixes.

While aggregate is relatively permanent, the asphalt binder can deteriorate rapidly from exposure to the environment. One of the greatest causes of pre-mature pavement failure according to reliable research is exposure to environmental forces. Despite this phenomenon, asphalt is the least expensive and most cost- effective material for paving streets, roads, highways, parking lots and about any surface you need created.

What does this mean to the general public? It means HMA Pavements are still a highly desirable choice as an easily maintainable and low cost pavement compared to the other pavement (concrete). When properly designed, constructed and preserved, a quality HMA pavement will remain in service and flexible for many years providing excellent ride and value to the public.

WHAT IS ASPHALT PAVEMENT?
An asphalt road is an engineered pavement structure built by incorporating refined asphalt binders and is called Hot Mix Asphalt. Hot Mix Asphalt is the mixing together of quality aggregates (rocks & sand) and asphalt cement (that's the hot, black, sticky stuff) to hold aggregates together. People commonly (mistakenly) use the words asphalt and tar interchangeably. However, they are not the same and it is important to understand the difference.

Tar (coal tar) is a by-product from the processing of coal. It is predominantly used in roofing applications, and mistakenly, in seal coating products used on asphalt pavements. You'll note a strong creosote like odor coming from those operations. Coal tar binders have a significantly different chemical makeup than asphalt binders and as a result the two materials should not be used in conjunction. (You will never find coal tar and asphalt roofing materials mixed together because they clash chemically. Why take a chance by using them on your expensive pavements?)

WHY INCORPORATE ASPHALT PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGY?
Light and medium oils within a new pavement which are vital to flexibility, quickly volatize and cause hardening. From the moment construction activities are completed, sunlight, air, water, pollutants, and seasonal temperature changes combine to negatively act upon and dramatically increase the rate of asphalt oxidation and deterioration.

Effective preservation of the surface prevents, slows, or halts the aging process by preventing the elements from engaging in warfare within the pavement, while at the same time retaining oils and resins that are critical to pavement flexibility and longevity. Choosing the most effective process can be a challenge with the constant barrage of information, miss-information, and opinions from arm chair experts. It can be most bewildering to the layman, especially when the (asphalt) industry does not want you to know the truth.

THE PROBLEM
Paving and road experts generally agree that newer Superpave mix designs, coupled with sophisticated refining techniques has brought asphalt binder technology to the level that it is today. And that level is, harder stiffer mixes to prevent rutting and shoving from high traffic counts and truck loadings. Each day however, new ways are discovered and employed to further divide petroleum into ever more potent segments, all chemicals and products that did not exist previously.

Today, petroleum is fractioned into over 2000 various chemicals. The removal of several key chemicals have a significant overall negative impact on asphalt binders. The removed chemicals that have the most negative impact on the aging process of asphalt binder are: anti-oxidants, epoxy cements, ultraviolet & infrared inhibitors. Even so, paving grade binders are designed to meet specifications for physical properties in engineered binder designs. As a result, these modern highly refined "fractioned" binders experience more rapid oxidation and degradation, especially when compared to binders from just a few years ago.

Economics drives this process. Refineries, like all businesses are trying to make a profit and they sell these new highly refined chemicals for higher profit than asphalt binders sell them for. Many refineries in fact have completely eliminated the production of asphalt. As time passes this situation is likely become more problematic. With fewer tons of asphalt binder being produced, and a demand that continues to rise, economics 101 says the cost of asphalt binders will also increase. Industry experts have no definitive answers to this dilemma, that is until now. Thankfully there is a simple, highly effective solution!

THE SOLUTION – GILSONITE!
Gilsonite is 99.85% pure mineral asphalt found in only two locations on earth, Vernal Utah, and Saudi Arabia. It is found naturally in deposits probably formed by the evaporation of the petroleum distillates. Gilsonite is pure asphalt and has not been subjected to the refining and fractioning processes of modern refining technology. Critical oils, resins, anti-oxidants, adhesives, anti-stripping agents and inhibitors therefore are intact, making Gilsonite one of the most powerful and environmentally resistant asphalt binder materials available today!

Further, because Gilsonite is "petroleum asphalt" it is compatible with any type of asphalt surface or process, in any state, any climate, and under any type of traffic flow. Gilsonite can be incorporated into hot mix during manufacture to improve, stabilize, and strengthen the pavement, or applied after construction to the surface as a preservation treatment to seal in resiliency, block out father time and prolong the life of the pavement. All this is at a fraction of the cost of traditional expensive alternatives!

WHY GILSONITE & GSB?
All seal coats are not the same. GSB Sealer Binder treatments incorporate Gilsonite and are unlike any other asphalt preservation treatments. Today, refined asphalt binders are subjected to refining processes that take away vital components like aniti-oxidants, ultra-violet and infra-red inhibitors, epoxy cements and glues, and many, many more. This process leaves modern asphalt binders something short of a "full deck" when placed out in the environment and subjected to everything mother nature has to throw at them. GSB products on the other hand are engineered for superior performance by incorporating Gilsonite. Gilsonite has every component, polar compounds, maltenes and asphaltenes, much more compared to ANY asphalt cement purchased and produced at a refinery.

"GSB" Gilsonite Sealer Binder is one of the best preservation processes available today and is also one of the least expensive by having one of the lowest life-cycle costs possible. GSB halts the aging process and keeps your asphalt pavement performing like new for many years–normally protecting asphalt more than twice as long as other processes! Unlike coal tar, chip seals, and slurry coatings, GSB actually penetrates into and becomes an integral part of the pavement to seal pores, bind aggregates, and rejuvenate by adding both Asphaltenes and Maltenes. Low viscosity allows GSB to penetrate without changing the surface character of the asphalt.

GSB becomes part of the surface of ashalt pavement. Grooved runways or roadways need not be regrooved, nor are PFC (porous friction course) asphalt surfaces altered. During thermal expansion and contraction cycles GSB expands and moves at the same rate as asphalt pavement because Gilsonite is asphalt cement! Competitive asphalt products fail to rise to the high standard of performance that GSB sets because they start out with lower quality components.

Currently there are two premium grade preservation products available, GSB-78 & GSB-88. Each is petroleum based and incorporates the Gilsonite resin. Both GSB products are completely compatible with all other asphalt binders. GSB penetrates and becomes part of the surface of asphalt, sealing and binding aggregates tightly together (like penetrating processes used to stain wood). Paving engineers should note that while Gilsonite toughens and stabilizes an asphalt surface it does not harden the binder within the pavement, rather it preserves the medium oils within and therefore pavement flexibility is preserved.

Preserving pavement flexibility with GSB improves the performance of an asphalt pavement's load carrying ability over time and places GSB in the forefront as a performance treatment for all pavement types including streets, roadways, highways, airport runways, and all commercial pavements. In fact GSB will also perform well on grooved runway surfaces.

GSB performance is not tied to visual cues of friction wear or to the volume of traffic. GSB can also be used to re-bind chip and slurry seals that are de-bonding or exhibit raveling. GSB products require simple preparations and cause minimal down time. Frequently GSB treated pavements are opened just a few hours after closure! The beauty is what GSB does for your pavement, and it's not just skin deep!

(To go back to Asphalt Products & Services, click here.)

PRESERVE WITH GILSONITE AND GSB – SOONER IS BEST
GSB, as part of a sound preservation treatment, can be applied immediately following construction well before pavements begin to show signs of age and oxidation. This way, pavements can actually be preserved in original condition!

According to FHWA research data, the sooner the better. Up to 80% of pavement flexibility is lost during the first five years. When the aging process is halted early in the life-cycle of the pavement, maintenance is less invasive and much less expensive. Starting sooner requires a shift or change in philosophy away from past practices of worst first.

Worst first simply describes that each year, all budget dollars are continually spent for the rehabilitation of the very worst pavements, while no money is ever spent to preserve the best pavements. Making this change is a first critical step that must be made in the minds of upper management for long-term success to be achieved.

(To go back to Asphalt Products & Services, click here.)

PRESERVING AIRFIELD PAVEMENTS WITH GSB
Asphalt Institute reports that over 90% of airfield pavement failure is a result of oxidation and exposure to the environment! Oxidation causes small, medium and large stones to come loose and then damage passing aircraft, and in some cases causing severe damage. When Sealer Binder applications are chosen, FOD (foreign object damage) is eliminated and pavement deterioration is held in check for many years.

GSB-88 has been successfully installed on over 30 million square yards of airfield pavements without accident or incident. GSB-88 is designed to eliminate FOD and has also been successfully applied to "grooved" and "OGFC" (open graded friction course) runways without compromise to their design for mitigating water runoff. GSB-88 is a restorative seal and can qualify for Airport Improvement Program funds through a modifications to standards application process. With supportive federal funding available, there has never been a better time to start an asphalt preservation program on your airfield pavements. Contrary to many misinformed engineers, airport managers, and FAA officials alike, Asphalt Institute research shows over 90% of airfield pavement failure is attributed to the aging effects from exposure to the environment, not from fuel spillage.

Their advice, and your wisest investment, is to establish a sound preservation strategy. A good strategy will forestall costly, premature deterioration, major repairs, rehabilitation, and reconstruction. Preservation extends a pavement's useful life cycle and subscribes to the philosophy of "pave it and save it." This practice keeps asphalt pavement at a higher level of service for a longer period; looking better, performing more safely, preserving precious resources for the public and hedging against inflation. In other words, preservation is insurance for the future of asphalt pavement!

(To go back to Asphalt Products & Services, click here.)

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GSB-78 & GSB-88?
GSB-78 is a cutback (solvent borne) and is most frequently used in commercial applications. GSB-88 is an emulsion (water borne) most typically utilized in public sector projects like roads, highways, and airports. There are many applications however where crossover occurs and in most situations each provides the same outstanding and dependable penetrating, sealing, binding performance. Both GSB-78 and GSB-88 are high performance preservation treatments that consistently out perform traditional asphalt coatings, fog seals, coal tar emulsions and coal tar rejuvenator applications.

WHEN SHOULD I USE GSB-78 OR GSB-88?
Both GSB-78 and GSB-88 are designed to perform under all traffic and weather extremes, from the freeze-thaw climates of the north, to the blistering heat of the south and west. Unlike other surface coatings, GSB-78 and GSB-88 will not "track" on tires or shoes. GSB-78 & GSB-88 can be successfully applied on any age of pavements that are structurally sound. Engineers are increasingly choosing to apply GSB as a construction seal immediately following completion of paving and re-paving.

Applications are normally repeated on a continuing basis at four-to five-year intervals until the time when the pavement condition warrants a more comprehensive technique. You are going to have to wait for quite a while to replace your pavements because it will take many years for GSB treated asphalt to age. Gee asphalt has hundreds of pavements available for viewing that have had continuous GSB preservation applications from the beginning. Gee Asphalt has pavements that have been on a continuous preservation program for 36 years and counting! Inspections prove they're still going strong anticipating another 10 years of service remaining. (How many years are you getting from your asphalt surfaces???) It is doubtful any contractor anywhere can demonstrate any product with a track record equal to GSB! Call us for an appointment to take the tour!