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Aggregate

Asphalt Aggregate: What Is It?

asphalt aggregate in southern california

Asphalt Aggregate in Southern California

Roads are a complex system in and of themselves, but very few are familiar with the intricate process behind creating safe and accessible roadway systems. So, what is asphalt aggregate and why is it important?

What Is Asphalt Aggregate?

Asphalt aggregate is a complex mixture of minerals with the addition of asphalt cement. The word aggregate is a catch-all term for minerals such as sand, gravel, or crushed rock. Put simply, asphalt aggregate is a type of aggregate. Regarding construction, it is necessary as a base material and a key component for strengthening new and impaired roadways.

Where Does Aggregate come from?

Aggregate is often sourced from the byproduct of manufacturing industries. It can also be sourced naturally. Natural mineral deposits exist in mines and quarries, where they are routinely blasted or dug up. This process can yield a variety of different minerals. Therefore, when it comes to asphalt construction, the following must be considered to ensure quality:

  • Size
  • Particle shape
  • Surface texture
  • Absorption
  • Stripping

To create proper pavement material, the aggregate must be tested for a preferred set of physical and chemical properties. This is to avoid stripping, which can destroy the integrity of the road and make driving dangerous. Additionally, the aggregate must also bind well to the cement mixture. Meaning, if a reactive mineral exists in the aggregate, it can cause a chemical reaction with the cement mixture that can cause cracking or spalling.

How Asphalt Aggregate Is Made

There are several layers to a road, thus the manufacturing process for paving aggregate involves several industries, a refining process, and the distribution of several resources to create a complex roadway material. The asphalt itself is created and heated in a plant. It is generally created as a highly formidable product with some level of resistance to pressure from vehicles.

There are many versions of asphalt, depending on what it’s needed for. A cold mix, for example, is infused with water, bitumen, or some other binding agent to make the aggregate malleable during refinement. This process is common for rarely used roads, such as countryside roadways, while warm mixes are more sustainable than hot mixes.

I you need aggregate products in Southern California, our quarry in Barstow, California, has high quality granite rock available for construction and private needs.

Call us today and talk to a real person
about your construction aggregate needs.

How Is Stone Dust Used?

Stone Dust at Southern CA quarry

Stone Dust at Lynx Cat Rock Quarry in Southern California

Stone dust is a sand-like material that is a by-product of stone-crushing processes. This material has many uses mainly because of its similarity to natural river sand. It has been shown that replacing fine aggregate with stone dust increases the compressiveness of concrete.

Where Does Stone Dust Come From?

Stone dust, also called quarry or rock dust, is collected at rock quarries using a screen that filters the large pieces above it. The screen lets the stone dust fall through, which is then graded based on the size of the stones. In appearance, you can think of this material as the most miniature form of stone.

How Is Stone Dust Used?

Stone dust has many uses. It’s most commonly used as a sand replacement. It however has properties that makes it superior to sand in some instances. Some of its most common uses include the following:

Stone Dust as Base for Pavers

This is one of the most common uses of stone dust. Many contractors report that the material is an excellent alternative to concrete sand for laying pavers. Stone dust contains super fine particles. When compacted, it sets up to create a waterproof barrier under pavers. In addition, the fine nature of the quarry dust stops the blocks from moving. It can also be quite useful when building patios of natural stone.

Stone Dust as Replacement for Gravel

Stone dust is sometimes used in landscaping as a gravel replacement. Landscapes compact the dust, so it creates a sturdy walkway or driveway. There’s no need to pour concrete during this process. The dust also has

Stone Dust as Remineralization of Croplands

Some organic gardeners use stone dust in their fields. While it may not provide a lot of phosphorous, nitrogen, or sulfur, and it’s not really a fertilizer, stone dust supplies a significant amount of trace minerals. Because of its fine nature, it has a larger surface area, allowing water to efficiently dissolve minerals and provide them to plants. Stone dust from basalt and granite is considered higher in trace minerals.

Compared to sand and other options, stone/quarry dust is the cheaper option. For most people, this alone gives it an advantage over other materials, allowing them to save money on landscaping and hardscaping projects. If you are looking for aggregate products in Southern California and the surrounding areas, call us today for a quote.

Call us today and talk to a real person
about your construction aggregate needs.