Asphalt

Cost–Benefit of Gilsonite-Modified Asphalt

April 20, 2026 · 1 min read · Sun Gilsonite Technical Team

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Cost–Benefit of Gilsonite-Modified Asphalt – Flatbed truck loaded with gilsonite pallets

Road agencies and contractors want to know: is gilsonite worth the extra cost?

Costs

Gilsonite material cost
Possible small increase in mixing temperature
Handling at the plant

Benefits

Longer life before rutting repairs
Fewer maintenance interventions
Less traffic disruption
Possibility of thinner layers in some designs

Flatbed truck loaded with gilsonite pallets – asphalt application

Life-cycle thinking

If a modified pavement lasts longer before resurfacing, the annual cost can be lower even if the initial cost is higher. Gilsonite’s lower price compared with many polymer modifiers often makes it attractive.

How to evaluate

Compare initial cost, expected life and maintenance for modified and unmodified designs over 15–20 years.

Simple comparison method

Item	Unmodified	Gilsonite-modified
Initial cost	Base	Slightly higher
Expected life	Base	Longer in heavy traffic
Maintenance	Base	Lower

Divide total cost by service life for an annual cost comparison.

Ask us for a quotation for asphalt modifier gilsonite delivered to your plant. See gilsonite vs. SBS polymer.

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Data sheet

Asphalt Modifier Grade Gilsonite

Data sheet – Asphalt Modifier Grade Gilsonite
Property	Typical value	Test method
Appearance	Black powder or granules	Visual
Softening point (R&B)	150 – 200 °C	ASTM D36
Ash content, max	8 %	ASTM D3174
Moisture, max	1 %	ASTM D95
Solubility in TCE, min	95 %	ASTM D2042
Specific gravity @ 25°C	1.04 – 1.10	ASTM D70
Particle size	Powder ≤ 200 mesh / granular 1–5 mm	Sieve
Typical dosage	4 – 12 % by weight of binder
Packing	25 kg bags, meltable bags or 1 MT jumbo bags.