Blog-Gilson Company, Inc

All Posts

Sieving & Screening

Sampling & Dividing

Aggregates

Asphalt

Concrete

Soils

General Lab

Latest Blog

Gilson Mechanical Marshall Compactors: A New State-of-the-Art

March 12, 2026

<img loading="eager" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 1000px; height: 100%; max-height: 750px;" alt="Gilson Mechanical Marshall Compactors: A New State-of-the-Art" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2026/Mar/March-2026_Blog_2_hero.jpg" width="1000" height="750" /> The new Mechanical Marshall Compactors from Gilson raise the bar for asphalt specimen testing with improved performance and features, including a fully enclosed compaction mechanism, a safety interlock switch, and reduced noise. Read to learn why a Gilson Mechanical Marshall Asphalt Compactor can benefit your testing lab.

Tags: Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Marshall Testing , Marshall Compactor , Marshall Stability

Performance-Graded Asphalt Binders: A Guide to Tests and Testing Equipment

April 08, 2025

<div><a href="/blog/performance-graded-asphalt-binders-article"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2025/april/asphalt-binder-hero.jpg" alt="Performance-Graded Asphalt Binders Article" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Knowing how to properly test and verify asphalt binders is essential to understanding how asphalt will react to various climate conditions. This guide covers the methods used to classify asphalt binders and how to perform these tests to ensure optimal pavement performance and longevity.</p>

Tags: Testing Insights , Resource Guide , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Binder Testing

Asphalt Mix Design Methods Compared: Hveem, Marshall, Superpave, and BMD

October 05, 2023

<div><a href="/blog/types-of-asphalt-mix-design"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2023/october/asphalt-mix-design-article.jpg" alt="Asphalt Mix Design Article" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>The list of essential ingredients for hot mix asphalt is exceedingly short for a composite material with such complex characteristics: asphaltic cement and mineral aggregates. Modern, flexible pavements with different mix designs are simply variations in the properties and ratios of the essential ingredients and adjustments to temperatures, handling, and placement methods. This article is an overview of past and present asphalt mix design methods and equipment, including Hveem, Marshall, Superpave, and Balanced Mix Design (BMD).</p>

Tags: Testing Insights , Equipment Selection Guide , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Mix Design , Pavement Design

Archive

Balanced Mix Design: A New Way Forward

March 08, 2023

<div><a href="/blog/balanced-mix-design-article"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2023/march/balance-mix-design-blog.jpg" alt="BMD for Asphalt Pavement" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Balanced Mix Design is a practical and common-sense approach to constructing long-lasting asphalt pavements. The design of asphalt mixes traditionally follows a prescriptive, volumetric path. Materials are selected and combined to meet the requirements of the specification with little evidence of what their real performance will be in a localized application or a certain environment. Researchers and practitioners alike have concluded that just mixing the specified ingredients in the stated volumes is a poor predictor of long-term asphalt pavement performance. As one prominent paving engineer put it, “Let’s stop using the recipe to determine if the cake is good.”</p>

Tags: Resource Guide , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Binder Testing , Pavement Design

Measuring Asphalt Permeability, The Methods and Equipment Needed

April 06, 2022

<div><a href="/blog/permeability-of-asphalt"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2022/april/asphalt-permeability-test-hero.jpg" alt="Asphalt Permeability" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 100%; max-width: 715px;" /> </a></div><p>Measuring the permeability of asphalt mixes is a powerful tool to predict and improve the service life of flexible pavements. In this blog post, we will discuss methods and the testing equipment needed for two basic asphalt permeability tests to mitigate pavement problems over the long term.</p>

Tags: How-To , Resource Guide , Permeameters , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Asphalt Permeability

Asphalt Content Testing: Solvent Extraction vs Ignition Furnace (Infographic)

August 21, 2015

<div><a href="/blog/asphalt-content-testing-solvent-extraction-vs-ignition-furnace-infographic"><img loading="lazy" src="/Content/Images/uploaded/blog/2015/august/extractors-hero.jpg" alt="Solvent Extraction vs. Furnace Ignition" width="100%" max-width:="" 715px="" /> </a></div><p>Comparing the pros and cons of solvent extraction vs. the furnace ignition method for asphalt content testing will help you select the best procedure for your application.</p>

Tags: Solvent Extraction , Ignition Furnace , Infographic , Ignition Oven , Asphalt Binder Testing , Asphalt Content , Asphalt Mix Design , Hot Mix Asphalt , HMA , Asphalt Testing , Asphalt , Resource Guide , Equipment Selection Guide , Centrifuge Extractor , Comparison Guide , Pavement Design