Gilsonite Quality Control Tests and Standards

Consistent quality is what separates a reliable gilsonite supplier from the rest. These are the main laboratory tests used to qualify gilsonite.

Softening point (ASTM D36)

A small disc of gilsonite is held in a ring and heated with a steel ball on top. The temperature at which the ball pushes the softened material down a fixed distance is the softening point.

Ash content (ASTM D3174)

A sample is burned in a furnace, and the residue is weighed. Ash shows the amount of mineral matter.

Moisture (ASTM D95 or oven drying)

Moisture is measured by distillation or by weight loss on drying.

Volatile matter (ASTM D3175)

The sample is heated in a covered crucible; weight loss shows volatile content — important for foundry grades.

Solubility (ASTM D2042)

The share of gilsonite that dissolves in trichloroethylene or toluene. High solubility means high purity.

Particle size

Sieve analysis or laser diffraction confirms the mesh grade.

Elemental analysis

Carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur may be measured for specialty grades.

Documentation

Every Sun Gilsonite shipment carries a Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet and MSDS. Third-party inspection by SGS or similar companies can be arranged on request.

These tests apply to all our grades, from gilsonite powder to drilling fluid grade. Also see why ash content matters.