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Beauty and Quality: Asphalt Roofing Components Using Specialty Minerals Calcium Carbonates

Asphalt-based shingles have a long history of successful usage, and with the continuing development of new products—such as dimensional, architectural or laminate types—they remain popular choices for both entry-level and luxury housing. With the advent of the more steeply sloped roofs common on newer-style homes, the roof has become a major decorative element in its own right. It follows that the beautiful appearance added by today’s asphalt shingle products contributes to the overall appeal and value of a home.

Calcium carbonate plays a major role in the manufacture of these asphalt-based building components.


Asphalt Roofing Shingles and Rolled Roofing Products
Ground or pulverized limestone (calcium carbonate or GCC) or dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate) is used extensively in asphalt roofing shingles, both fiberglass-reinforced and organic-mat-based, as well as in rolled roofing. These products have two primary functions. First, as fillers, ground calcium carbonates reduce cost by replacing a portion of the asphalt. Second, they improve the physical performance properties of the shingles. 

When choosing a calcium carbonate to use in asphalt shingles, manufacturers prefer grades that allow for optimal filler loading levels and process efficiencies. With a GCC with a top size of 20 mesh, with the minus 200 mesh content tightly controlled, limestone loading levels of 60 to 70% are achievable. Specialty Minerals products of this type are Vical® 5075, Eco-Cal® and Dolofil® 2055 ground carbonates.

Specialty Minerals produces two types of ground carbonate fillers to accommodate the range of shingle qualities manufactured. One type is high-performance engineered fillers, which maximize heat transfer; the second are economy grades for lower-end applications.

  • Marblewhite®- Easts GCCs – 200 and 325 mesh ground calcium carbonates, produced in Adams, Massachusetts.
  • Marblewhite - West GCCs – 125, 200 and 325 mesh ground calcium carbonates, produced in Lucerne Valley, California.
  • ATF™ GCCs - bright screened limestones, in 10 to 40 mesh grades, manufactured in Adams, MA
  • Dolofil® 2055 dolomite – 20 mesh top size ground calcium magnesium carbonate, produced in Canaan, CT.
  • Vical® GCCs –20 mesh top size limestones, from Lucerne  Valley, CA
  • Eco-Cal® GCCs – 40 mesh calcium carbonate produced during crushing and screening calcite ore at Adams, MA.

Click on the product name above to download the technical data sheet for the product of interest. 


Asphalt Shingle-Back Surfacing
A fine mineral is dusted on the back, non-exposed shingle surface to prevent sticking. Silica has been used, but can be abrasive to the processing equipment. The preferred alternative is a ground limestone (calcium carbonate) or dolomite (calcium magnesium carbonate), both of which are far less abrasive and have low silica levels.

The Specialty Minerals  products recommended for shingle back dusting are:

  • Vical® GCCs – 30 to 70 mesh, moderate brightness limestones from the SMI Lucerne Valley plant.
  • ATF™ GCCs - screened limestones, in 10 to 40 mesh grades, manufactured in Adams, MA.
  • DF™ dolomites – 10 and 20 mesh products, produced in Canaan, CT.

Click on the product name above to download the technical data sheet for the product of interest. 


Roofing Granules
Limestone is sometimes used as a roofing granule in roofing systems. White crystalline limestone with sizing of 3/8” to 10 mesh can be used in the final coat for flat built-up residential roofing systems. The white limestone is selected for aesthetic considerations and higher reflectivity. For commercial applications, limestone aggregate can be imbedded into the bituminous surface to minimize weathering, provide melt resistance, and slow degradation of the roofing system.

Recommended Specialty Minerals products for roofing granules are:

  • ATF™ GCCs - screened limestones, in 10 to 40 mesh grades, manufactured in Adams, MA
  • DF™ dolomites - 10 and 20 mesh products, produced in Canaan, CT
  • High Calcium Grits GCCs - three larger particled limestones, from -¼” + 8 mesh to -1/4” + 30 mesh, from Lucerne Valley, CA
  • Vical® East GCCs - 20 mesh top size limestones, from Adams, MA
  • Vical® West GCCs - 20 mesh top size limestones, from Lucerne Valley, CA
  • Viroc® GCCs - two limestones, -½” +30 mesh  and -1”  +½” granules, manufactured in Lucerne Valley, CA

Click on the product name above to download the technical data sheet for the product of interest. 


Custom Products
We are also able to design new products to meet the needs of your particular asphalt roofing application.  Click here to contact us about your needs.

All Specialty Minerals ground limestone and ground dolomite plants are ISO 9001 quality certified.

 

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