Gilsonite-based products are high-performance petroleum-based sealers used to sustain streets, roadways and highways, airports, and commercial pavements nationwide. When dissolved and combined with plastisizers, polymers, and diluents, Gilsonite becomes the base stock for Sealer Binder products like GSB-78 and GSB-88.

What is Gilsonite?
Gilsonite is a non-toxic, naturally occurring, 99.85% pure mineral asphalt ore. It is a unique natural hydrocarbon high in asphaltenes and nitrogen compounds, and granular solid that is fully compatible with bitumen. It can be melted into hot bitumen, added during the hot-mix manufacturing process, or blended into a preservation treatment. In either case, Gilsonite dissolves easily in bitumen and achieves a uniform, easy workable product.

Gilsonite resin is used by asphalt producers, road paving engineers and paving contractors who are concerned with PG specifications, high-performance and cost-effectiveness. Gilsonite, long known as a bitumen reinforcer and hardening agent, also offers a unique combination of high-performance and economy for high-stress paving, and preservation applications. Incorporating Gilsonite into road pavement mixes yields significantly higher sustainability over conventional mixes.

Gilsonite has excellent health and safety characteristics. In fact, Gilsonite products are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in resinous and polymeric coatings that come into direct contact with food. Gilsonite falls under Section 175.300 (formerly Section 121.2514) of the FDA regulations, Part 3, subpart (iv), which lists Gilsonite as one of several approved natural resins. Besides being non-toxic, Gilsonite products are non-carcinogenic and non-mutagenic. (Details can be found in the OSHA Materials Safety Data Sheets for Gilsonite products.)

Gilsonite is used in the GSB Product Line
GSB-78 and GSB-88 Sealer Binder products incorporate Gilsonite as the base stock. Besides being the environmentally friendly choice because GSB treatment mixes are based on Gilsonite, GBS treated pavements have a high sustainabilty. This means not only are you doing something good by reducing demand on finite petroleum resources, but you are also favoring your budget!

Here's why. As a sealer, binder, & rejuvenator, GSB fills micro-voids in the asphalt surface. Contrary to many engineers’ belief, GSB treatments do not harden the pavement. However, they do toughen the surface to better withstand traffic and the aging process. In some cases GSB will halt, and reverse the effects of aging and degradation from water penetration, oxidation, and UV radiation. While HMA pavements perform poorly when they become hard (like cement), GSB restores and maintains elasticity and integrity by keeping asphalt binders soft, pliable and flexible. GSB lowers viscosity by over 30%, increases ductility by 30%, and increases Marshall Stability by almost 40% (strength of binder) after just five years!

Furthermore, FHWA research shows agencies who used Gilsonite-based treatments reduced pavement replacement costs by up to 60% compared to using the worst first-practices. That means a good asphalt preservation program can increase the life of your pavements exponentially and have a positive impact on the environment!