About Dolomite Chips (3–10 mm)
Dolomite chips are crushed and screened pieces of natural dolomite rock, graded into size fractions between 3 mm and 10 mm. Unlike the ground powder, the chips are bought for appearance and mechanical behaviour: a clean white to off-white colour, an angular shape that locks into a binder, and a hardness that polishes well without being hard to grind.
The largest use is terrazzo, both cast in situ and as precast tiles, where dolomite chips are set in white or pigmented cement or epoxy and then ground and polished to reveal the aggregate. The same chips are used in exposed-aggregate precast panels, pebble-dash and textured renders, garden paths and landscaping, and as a bright decorative top layer on planters and flat roofs. Dolomite is a carbonate, so it suits interior floors and decorative exterior work better than surfaces that are routinely cleaned with acidic products.
Obsidian Minerals produces the chips from selected white dolomite by crushing and multi-deck screening, with washing available to remove fines and dust. Fractions such as 3–6 mm and 6–10 mm can be supplied, and blended gradings or other cuts are prepared on request. Colour is checked lot by lot, which matters when one floor is laid from several deliveries.
Typical specifications
| Parameter | Typical Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Size fractions | 3–6 mm, 6–10 mm; other cuts on request | IS 2386 (Part 1) |
| Out-of-size material | ≤ 10 % | IS 2386 (Part 1) |
| Colour | White to off-white | Visual, against approved sample |
| MgO | 19–21 % | ASTM C25 |
| Specific gravity | 2.80–2.90 | IS 2386 (Part 3) |
| Water absorption | ≤ 1.0 % | IS 2386 (Part 3) |
| Loose bulk density | 1.4–1.6 t/m³ | IS 2386 (Part 3) |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4 | — |
Typical values for guidance. Guaranteed size grading and colour standard are stated on the Technical Data Sheet and batch CoA.
Key features & benefits
Bright, consistent colour
Chips come from selected white dolomite and are checked against an approved colour sample, helping terrazzo contractors and precast plants match finish across large areas and repeat orders.
Graded size fractions
Multi-deck screening produces defined fractions with limited oversize and undersize, so dolomite chips pack predictably in the binder and give an even aggregate pattern after grinding.
Washed, low-dust option
Washing removes adhering fines and dust that can weaken the bond between chip and cement and cloud the finished surface of exposed-aggregate and polished work.
Polishes to a smooth finish
A Mohs hardness of about 3.5–4 lets the chips grind and polish efficiently with standard terrazzo equipment while still giving a durable wearing surface for interior traffic.
Low water absorption
Dense chips with water absorption typically at or below 1 % take up little mix water, help keep the binder ratio stable and resist staining better than porous decorative aggregates.
Applications
Terrazzo flooring and tiles
The main aggregate in cement and epoxy terrazzo, cast in situ or as precast tiles, giving a bright white field that can be combined with coloured chips and pigments.
Exposed-aggregate precast
Used in architectural precast panels, kerbs, benches and paving where the surface is retarded, washed or lightly etched to reveal a uniform white aggregate face with good contrast.
Textured renders and pebble-dash
Thrown or trowelled into renders to create a durable, decorative facade texture that keeps its light colour over time and helps hide minor surface marks and repairs.
Landscaping and decorative top dressing
Spread on garden paths, planters, borders and flat roofs as a clean white decorative layer that contrasts with planting, reflects light and helps suppress weeds when laid over a membrane.
Usage & handling
- Mix proportions depend on the terrazzo or render system; follow the binder supplier's or applicator's specification and lay a trial panel first.
- Order the full project quantity from one lot where possible to keep colour uniform.
- Rinse unwashed chips before use where a dust-free, crisp aggregate face is required.
- Avoid acidic cleaners on finished surfaces, as carbonate aggregates etch on contact with acid.
- Keep bags off the ground or store loose chips on hard standing to avoid contamination with soil or other aggregates.
Packaging & supply
- 25 kg and 50 kg HDPE bags for applicators and distributors
- 1 MT and 1.2 MT jumbo bags for precast plants and large flooring projects
- Custom and private-label bags on request
Frequently asked questions
What are dolomite chips used for?
Dolomite chips are a decorative and functional aggregate. Their main use is terrazzo flooring and precast terrazzo tiles. They are also used in exposed-aggregate precast panels and paving, pebble-dash and textured renders, and in landscaping as a white top dressing for paths, borders, planters and roofs.
What sizes of dolomite chips do you supply?
Chips are graded between 3 mm and 10 mm, commonly as 3–6 mm and 6–10 mm fractions. Blended gradings and other cuts can be prepared on request to suit a particular terrazzo pattern, render texture or precast mix. The agreed grading and out-of-size limits are stated on the Technical Data Sheet.
Are dolomite chips suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, for decorative exterior work such as renders, precast elements and landscaping. Dolomite has low water absorption and keeps its colour. As a carbonate it is sensitive to acids, so it should not be cleaned with acidic products, and specifiers should consider local exposure conditions when selecting it for heavily trafficked external paving.
How do you keep colour consistent across deliveries?
Raw material is selected from white dolomite benches and each production lot is compared with an approved colour reference before release. For large floors or projects with phased deliveries, we recommend ordering from a single lot or reserving a lot so that the aggregate colour stays uniform across the whole installation.
Can I get a sample of dolomite chips before ordering?
Yes. Samples in the required size fraction are available on request so you can prepare a trial panel with your binder and pigments. Approving a physical sample is the most reliable way to confirm colour and grading before committing to a full project quantity.