Gilsonite

Gilsonite has a dull, black, coal-like appearance on weathered surfaces and a shiny, black, obsidian-like appearance on fresh surfaces. Fracture surfaces vary from conchoidal to columnar (pencillated) to flaky or scaly. Gilsonite in some localities also has flaky or scaly texture. A third, unusual variety, called jet Gilsonite, has a brilliantly shiny surface, a bluish-black color, and fuses from 390 to 446°F. Gilsonite is now classified into five ranges, according to fusing temperature, which are used in different applications and sell for different prices. Gilsonite from different veins or different parts of veins is sometimes mixed to achieve a product with a specific fusing temperature range. Physical and chemical characteristics of Gilsonite are important for differentiating it from other asphaltites and in determining possible industrial applications. Gilsonite, named after Samuel H. Gilson, was discovered in the 1860s. Gilson was not one of the original discoverers of gilsonite, but his enthusiastic development and promotional efforts linked the material to him, and people in the region began referring to this material as Gilsonite rather than using its scientific name, “uintahite”. The name Gilsonite further solidified in common usage when an early mining company adopted and trademarked the name. 

Iran has many Gilsonite resources and is one of the best Gilsonite suppliers in Middle East. Marjan Mineral Company has a great ability to make all necessary trading communication with most of Gilsonite supplier.

Gilsonite is an important component of today's printing inks, paints & industrial coatings. Gilsonite is used as a hard resin and carbon black dispersant in a variety of coatings. Solutions of Gilsonite are an excellent starting point for blending Gilsonite with other components of a final product formulation. Some formulators convert dry Gilsonite into liquid solution in their own facilities.

• Gilsonite in Asphalt & Bitumen: Gilsonite Natural Asphalt , Natural Bitumen, Hard Asphalt or Hard Asphaltum is used as a performance-enhancing agent for asphalt mixes. Gilsonite-modified paving mixes achieve higher PG grades and incorporate perfectly into the asphalt blend with no need for high shear milling as is the case with many other modifiers.
• Gilsonite in Oil & Gas: Gilsonite is used in drilling mud fluids and oil well cementing. Gilsonite, in a range of softening points and particle sizes, is a standard ingredient in oil-based drilling muds used in shales and other difficult geological formations. The addition of specially-treated Gilsonite to water-based drilling fluids helps minimize hole washout by stabilizing troublesome shales, and seals off highly permeable sands while reducing torque and drag. Read more . . .