Natural Bitumen: What is gilsonite bitumen + advantages!

Natural bitumen, mineral bitumen or Gilsonite is a natural resinous hydrocarbon. This bitumen is similar to hard petroleum asphalt and is classified by geologists as a substance soluble in petroleum solvents. In this article, we will talk more about natural mineral bitumen, Gilsonite applications, Gilsonite mine in Iran, global natural bitumen price, and what mineral bitumen is.

What is Gilsonite or natural bitumen?

Gilsonite, or natural bitumen, is a stone impregnated with bitumen (asphaltite), which is solid. There are natural bitumen mines in different countries like America and Iran. The mines in Iran are mostly located in Kermanshah province. Mineral bitumen has a relatively high melting temperature and is used primarily as electrical insulation or waterproof compounds. (Be aware of latest Bitumen Price)

Gilsonite powder

Gilsonite is widely available in Iran, and Iran is known as the largest hub for buying and selling natural bitumen.

Gilsonite powder, or natural bitumen powder, is a solid hydrocarbon material extracted from the compression of organic materials over millions of years. Natural gilsonite is dark brown to black and shiny, and can be easily ground into powder. Gilsonite’s chemical formula consists of complex hydrocarbons and a small amount of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

Natural gilsonite powder dissolves in aromatic and organic solvents easily, and because of this property, it usually has uses as an additive in various products. Gilsonite and its powder are obtained from 100% natural sources, which makes it environmentally friendly.

Types of natural mine bitumen and its different grades

The type and grade of Gilsonite powder largely depends on the intended application. It is substantial for industries to understand the specifications and features of each grade to ensure optimal performance in their products.

Petroleum mineral bitumen or Gilsonite is classified into different types and grades based on specific criteria that determine their application and use. This classification helps various industries to identify and choose the proper natural bitumen powder for their needs. In the following, we mention different types and grades after Gilsonite processing.

Gilsonite grade A

• Ash content: up to 5%
• Moisture level: maximum 1%
• Mesh sizes: 30, 40, 100 to 300

Applications of natural bitumen grade A: This grade is considered the purest form and is widely used in industries that require low ash, such as paints, inks, and specialty asphalt formulations.

Gilsonite or natural bitumen grade B

• Ash content: up to 10%
• Moisture level: maximum 1%
• Mesh sizes: 30, 40, 100 to 300

Application of Gilsonite Grade B: This grade is used in drilling, mixed with regular asphalt, construction materials and cheaper paint formulations.

Gilsonite grade C

• Ash content: maximum 15%
• Moisture level: maximum 1%
• Mesh sizes: 30, 40, 100 to 300

Application of natural bitumen grade C: This grade of mineral bitumen is suitable for some applications of asphalt, drilling and making some grades of dark inks.

Grade D natural bitumen

• Ash content: maximum 20%
• Moisture level: maximum 1%
• Mesh sizes: 30, 40, 100 to 300

Application of Gilsonite Grade D: This mineral bitumen is often used in road construction and the production of special adhesives and sealants.

Gilsonite grade E

• Ash content: maximum 25%
• Moisture level: maximum 1%
• Mesh sizes: 30, 40, 100 to 300

Application of grade E natural bitumen: this mineral bitumen is usually used in cases where the ash content is of little importance, for example, for road construction.

How are natural bitumen reserves formed?

They were deposited in the mud of the bottom of the ocean or a lake where living organisms lived. Under the heat of over 50 degrees Celsius and the pressure of burial in the deep earth, they turned into substances such as bitumen, kerosene or oil.

Most of the bitumen used commercially obtaines from crude oil, but there are also large amounts of bitumen in nature. Natural bitumen is formed from the remains of algae, diatoms and other organisms. These deposits of mineral bitumen were formed in the Carboniferous period, when there were vast swamp forests in many parts of the earth.

Discovery of Gilsonite

Gilsonite, or natural bitumen, was first discovered in America in the 19th century. Samuel H. Gilson discovered this material first. He discovered a shiny, black crude substance that was found to be more than 95 percent hydrocarbons.

Over the years, Gilson made many attempts to use this material for various applications but was unsuccessful. In the following years, natural bitumen from the mine was used for other applications. For example, Gilsonite has been used in the paint and varnish industries – due to its better purity, solubility and applicability. This mineral bitumen had a high softening point, and its hydrocarbon structure was familiar to people active in this business.

Natural bitumen or Gilsonite properties and features

The properties of natural bitumen make this material useful for various purposes. The properties of this bitumen include

• Soluble in aromatic solvents and most chlorinated solvents
• High asphaltene content
• High solubility in organic solvents
• High purity and stable properties
• High molecular weight
• High resin and nitrogen content

Natural bitumen and its application

Gilsonite has many uses. For example, it is used in the paint and polishing industry. Other applications of natural bitumen include the following:

• Asphalt and Road Construction
• Oil and Gas
• Paints and Inks
• Waterproofing
• Insulation of tanks, pipes and even molding
• Making waterproof coating for water pipes
• As a performance improving agent for asphalt mixtures
• Fabrication of high purity carbon electrodes in the nuclear industry
• Bitumen and asphalt production

Gilsonite uses

Gilsonite can be used to improve the performance of many materials. This material is used in making wire insulation, paint and varnish, building materials, printing ink, oil well drilling, casting, etc. Gilsonite, or natural bitumen, is very important from an economic point of view, and the uses of Gilsonite have changed a lot with the passage of time, technological progress and industrial needs.

Gilsonite uses: 1. Fluid control in drilling

Gilsonite, or mineral bitumen, has uses in oil fields as an additive in drilling fluids for many years. Gilsonite is used in different grades and formulas to fight the problems of borehole instability (vertical hole), providing lubrication, especially in holes with high deviation, and recently as an intermediate agent to fight differential pressure adhesion.

Properly formulated natural bitumen products can minimize cavity collapse in water-sensitive structures and reduce blocked pipe problems by forming a thin wall and filter cake. Gilsonite products have vast uses in water-based, oil based, and synthetic mud systems. Combined Gilsonite is also very effective in all water-based systems.

Natural bitumen uses: 2. Oil drilling

Adding gilsonite to oil well cement reduces the weight of the slurry without loss of compressive strength and acts as an efficient bonding and blocking agent to seal fractures in weak structures during cementing.

With different fineness and particle size, Gilsonite is a standard component in petroleum-based drilling muds, shales and other geological formations. Adding specially refined natural bitumen to water-based drilling fluids minimizes hole loss by stabilizing problematic shales and tightens highly permeable sands while reducing torque and drag.

Gilsonite uses: 3. Asphalt and road paving

Types of bitumen are widely used in road construction. Gilsonite has also use as a performance enhancing agent for asphalt mixtures. Pavement mixtures modified with Gilsonite achieve higher penetration grades and are entirely incorporated into the asphalt mixture.

Asphalts modified with natural bitumen have higher stability, less deformation, lower temperature sensitivity and more resistance to dehydration than unmodified asphalts. Gilsonite is also used to make solvent-based and emulsion-based pavement sealants with better appearance and weathering properties.

Gilsonite bitumen uses: 4. Casting section

Gilsonite, or natural bitumen, is combined with coal and other materials as an additive in foundry sands to ensure the quality of the molded part by improving mold release and the overall finish of the metal casting.

Gilsonite uses: 5. Chemical products sector

Gilsonite, or natural bitumen, is combined with many chemicals to improve its unique physical and chemical properties. Adhesive and coating applications in metallurgy, wood products, refractories and other industries show the versatility and practicality of this material.

Gilsonite uses: 6. Ink and paint section

Specific grades of Gilsonite called Selects are standard materials used in black ink formulations and as additives in asphalt paints and varnishes.

Gilsonite resin is widely used as the primary carbon black wetting agent for inks. Gilsonite resin competes with petroleum-based hydrocarbon, phenolic resins, and metal resins, all of which can be complementary or substitutes to varying degrees. Different concentrations of Gilsonite resin or natural bitumen have use in producing news inks with high gloss and adhesion properties.

Natural bitumen or gilsonite durability

Gilsonite powder is known for its durability, which can be attributed to the following intrinsic properties and external factors:

The inherent properties of Gilsonite powder, along with external factors, make it a durable material. The resistance of natural bitumen to environmental and chemical stresses ensures that this material remains effective and maintains its quality over long periods of time. This durability, in turn, increases the lifespan of products and projects in which mineral bitumen powder is used.

Features of Gilsonite: 1. Chemical stability

Natural bitumen is mainly hydrocarbon, which grants it a high degree of resistance to chemicals. This stability ensures the longevity of products containing Gilsonite.

Features of natural bitumen: 2. Low Moisture Absorption

Mineral bitumen has a low tendency to absorb moisture. Therefore, stored or used in humid environments, the risk of its degradation is low.

Features of Gilsonite: 3. Thermal Resilience

Gilsonite powder with a high softening point maintains its integrity at high temperatures and is suitable for high temperature use.

Features of Gilsonite: 4. Natural Adhesion

The adhesive properties of natural bitumen make for a more effective connection and resistance to external forces, resulting in a longer overall life of the final product.

Features of natural bitumen: 5. UV Resistance

Gilsonite powder resists degradation from ultraviolet (UV) rays. This property extends the life of outdoor applications.

Features of Gilsonite: 6. Low Solubility

Although natural bitumen dissolves in specific solutions, its limited solubility in water and many other common solvents contributes to its durability in various environmental factors.

Features of natural bitumen: 7. Resistance to Biological Degradation

Unlike some organic materials, Gilsonite powder or mineral bitumen does not degrade due to microbial activity, which helps natural bitumen to last longer.

Features of natural bitumen: 8. Oxidative Stability

Gilsonite has inherent resistance to oxidation; This means it does not break down quickly over time when exposed to air.

Gilsonite powder advantages and benefits

Natural bitumen is considered a vital component in various industries due to its unique compounds and benefits, which has many applications. In the following, we mention some of the advantages of mineral bitumen powder.

Gilsonite or mineral bitumen has many advantages that make it an indispensable asset in numerous applications in various industries. Its natural origin, with specific chemical and physical properties, make this material an outstanding choice for different industries seeking performance and economic efficiency.

Gilsonite as a natural additive

Natural bitumen is a natural and environmentally friendly additive. As a natural asphaltite, this material has the lowest environmental impact compared to its synthetic alternatives.

Advanced performance of natural bitumen

Durability and stability against high temperature makes mineral bitumen improved and more advanced performance. Adding gilsonite to asphalt increases its resistance to wear, temperature changes, and water damage. In addition, natural bitumen offers a wide range of working temperatures, so it is effective for road construction. (Read further content about What is Bitumen)

The versatility of natural bitumen

Natural bitumen has various applications, and has uses in different industries like asphalt, ink production, and even in the oil and gas sector. In addition, variant grades of Gilsonite can be selected for specific applications, so its application and productivity is more.

(Read further content about Oxidized Bitumen)

Safety of mineral bitumen

The low toxicity of natural bitumen or gilsonite makes this material safer in various applications. (Read further content about Cutback Bitumen)

High resistance of mineral bitumen

Natural Bitumen has high chemical resistance. This material is very resistant to some chemicals, which makes it suitable for protective coatings. In addition, mineral bitumen is also water repellent, and the natural resistance of this material to water increases its waterproof capabilities. (Read further content about PG Bitumen)

Gilsonite economic benefits

Natural abundance and effective methods for its extraction have made Gilsonite or natural bitumen a cost-effective option for industries. Different countries produce Gilsonite. In addition, Gilsonite producers in Iran in the west of the country also offer this material. (Read further content about Export Bitumen)

Gilsonite price in Iran

In addition, Iran’s natural bitumen market has specific customers who, if the demand increases, the price of Gilsonite will increase subsequently. To check the gilsonite price per ton, be in contact with Iran ETrade Company.

Gilsonite export price in Iran depends on various factors. The international exchange rate has a significant role in determining the price of natural bitumen. Due to the instability of the exchange rate to the Iranian currency, the daily value of bitumen changes to dollars for customers. (Read further content about Emulsion Bitumen)

Export of natural bitumen

Iran Gilsonite is exported to different countries through trading companies. Gilsonite is exported to America, Europe, and Asian countries, and the quality of these materials is very high, and presents with a suitable package and price.

Iran is known as the best exporter of Gilsonite, and these products have been checked and approved in various laboratories.

Buy natural bitumen or gilsonite

In this article, we have mentioned some points about the price of Gilsonite powder and the features and uses of this product. Gilsonite, or natural bitumen, is a natural hydrocarbon that is hard as asphalt and dissolves in aromatic and organic solvents as well as petroleum asphalt. Because of its unique compatibility, this material is often used to harden softer petroleum products.

Mineral bitumen is brittle and easily turns into powder. Natural bitumen used in the production of asphalt cement or mixed asphalt, makes pavement mixtures more stable. To buy Gilsonite, you can contact Iran ETrade Company. (Read further content about Viscosity Bitumen)

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