Gilsonite in Adhesives and Hot Melts

Gilsonite adds tack, hardness and water resistance to bituminous and some hot-melt adhesives.

Uses

• Roofing adhesives
• Flooring adhesives
• Packaging (where colour is acceptable)

Types of adhesives using gilsonite

• Bituminous roofing adhesives – bonding membranes and insulation boards
• Flooring adhesives – bonding wood blocks and some tiles to screeds
• Hot-melt adhesives – dark-coloured industrial grades
• Sealant-adhesives – for gutters, flashings and joints

What gilsonite adds

• Higher softening point, so bonds do not creep in heat
• Higher cohesion and hardness
• Improved water and chemical resistance
• Good adhesion to concrete, metal and wood

Formulation tips

Dissolve gilsonite in hot bitumen or solvent first, then add tackifiers, fillers and fibres. Too much gilsonite can make an adhesive brittle; balance with softer binders or polymers.

Testing

Check open time, peel and shear strength, heat resistance and flexibility at low temperature.

See gilsonite powder.