What do people use dolomite for?

The mineral and rock were named after the French mineralogist and chemist of the late 18th century. For external and internal finishing works, dolomite is an ideal finishing material. It is usually white or gray in color, however, there are other shades – yellowish, reddish, and so on.

Natural properties of dolomite

Dolomite is a rock-forming mineral. It belongs to the class of carbonates, being fireproof and very resistant. It is endowed with the magnificent natural properties of natural stone. Among them, it is especially worth noting:

• high strength,
• nice drawing, which makes it possible to create unusual compositions.

The color of dolomite goes perfectly with almost all materials, both natural and artificial. As a natural stone, dolomite is endowed with the following physical characteristics:

• durability;
• frost resistance;
• high strength.

The main colors for dolomites are considered to be four, but in nature they are usually found in white, brown, and yellowish. Occasionally, valuable pink dolomites can be seen in their natural form, as well as translucent and transparent ones.

Areas of application of dolomite

Dolomite in its pure form is an ideal raw material used for the extraction of magnesium metal. Nowadays it has found its wide application in the production of light alloys. Dolomites also serve as a source of magnesium salts. They are indispensable in modern medicine. As a rubble stone, as well as crushed stone for concrete, dolomite also finds its use in the manufacture of refractory glaze, white magnesia. Dolomite has recently been actively used in the construction industry. It is used as a decorative facing material, as well as for the production of special grades of cement. For lining, calcined dolomite is used as a refractory in metallurgical furnaces. It forms part of the charge in the production of glasses of increased strength and durability.

Dolomite and dolomitized limestones are often used as fluxes in blast furnace smelting. They are also necessary in agriculture. Dolomite flour is used as additives that easily neutralize acidic soils. This fertilizer makes the soil looser. In addition, when adding dolomite flour:

• the vital activity of microorganisms useful for cultivated crops is significantly prolonged,
• The efficiency of other fertilizers applied to the soil increases significantly.

Application of dolomite in construction

Ground dolomite is an ideal option for the Russian market of dry construction mixtures. The grains of this material, unlike quartz sand, which is actively used in most Russian enterprises, have a cubic shape. It provides increased adhesion. Such a filler, as practice has proven, in comparison with quartz sand, has the best technological indicators.

Dry mixtures containing lime filler, based on existing European standards, are recognized as the best. They belong to the highest class mixtures. You can often find dolomite filler in the composition:

• sealants,
• mastic,
• rubber products,
• linoleum,
• paint and varnish products and so on.

Dolomite is classified according to its structure, according to which materials are distinguished:

• marble-shaped,
• porous,
• dense.

In the construction industry, dense dolomites are used for the production of facing slabs, which are usually used for external cladding of buildings. This type of material includes the famous Myachkovo, Kovrov and Korobcheev dolomites. They were actively used by Russian architects in the construction of wonderful white stone architectural monuments.

Dolomite deposits

Russia is not very rich in dolomite deposits. The main ones are located in the Urals, the Caucasus, and the Volga region. They supply natural stone to many sectors of the national economy. The composition of Russian dolomites is based on calcite and impurities.

There are a huge number of varieties of dolomites. This category includes rocks that contain many obsolete inclusions of mollusks. A striking example is limestone shell rock. This type of dolomite limestone rock is strong and homogeneous. The same type includes travertine and calcareous porous tuff.

The density of dolomite, like other sedimentary rocks, depends on the depth of its layer. The deeper the dolomite layer is located, the stronger the extracted stone turns out to be. Dolomites have a gorgeous color palette. The most amazing thing is that even stones extracted from the same deposit come in completely different shades. Experts say that these amazing breeds can be of absolutely any color, even black.

Application of dolomite in Russia

Dolomite is a durable stone, but it can be easily processed. This makes it an ideal building material and raw material for the production of small architectural details, including garden ones. This type of natural stone has been used in our climatic conditions for many centuries. Dolomite buildings of past centuries continue to delight us with their architectural beauty and once again confirm the frost resistance and strength of the material.

Being distant relatives of marble, dolomitic limestones have long been an indispensable material for creating sculptures. Dolomites in Ancient Rus’ were often used for the construction of temples, household and economic structures. Most of them are considered architectural masterpieces.

Often strong dolomite rocks in the construction industry are used for paving paths, making steps, and various flat fragments for the garden. The suitability of this amazing material, due to its strength, for the construction of rock gardens and retaining walls is a huge advantage of dolomite. Are harder grades subjected to polishing, which expands the scope of application? It is also used in finishing and cladding of facades.

Combinations of dolomite with garden plants have become very popular recently, but special care is required when creating compositions. There is no doubt that most plants feel excellent next to dolomite, however, it is not recommended to include dolomite in the composition if you are planting plants that prefer acidic substrates, such as:

• hydrangea and rhododendron,
• Erica, heathers and wild rosemary,
• blueberries, cranberries, lingonberries,
• dropsy, etc.

Environmental properties of dolomite

Dolomite facing tiles are an absolutely natural material that has filtering properties. Dolomite has a beneficial effect on the indoor microclimate. If you moisten a dolomite wall with water during hot weather, the room will maintain an optimal microclimate in terms of humidity. During the cold season, this natural finishing material will retain heat much more reliably than glass or concrete. Due to its organic origin and the content of marine microorganisms in the rock, a room decorated with this material can safely be called an environmentally friendly home.

Dolomite is a crystalline material formed from fossilized sediments of limestone, calcium (carbonate, including), magnesium. The mineral has the appearance of a layered stone piece, in which the layers alternate in turn: calcium – carbonate – magnesium – carbonate, etc. The structure of the stone is dense and hard, chemically inert and immune to acid attacks. The color of the mineral varies from yellow to whitish interspersed with transparent crystals.

Dolomite got its name in honor of the discoverer of the material, the Frenchman de Dolomu, who discovered the mineral in 1791. Most often, dolomite is found in sedimentary rocks – dolostone. There are two types of substance: true calcium magnesium carbonate, homogeneous in chemical composition, and dolomitic limestone with irregular mixtures of magnesium and calcium carbonates in its structure.

Scope and features of application

As a dense and hard material, dolomite is widely in demand in construction – in finishing works and for the construction of low buildings. Also, the mineral is an important element in the refractory finishing of blast furnaces for steel processing and is used as a flux for melting cast iron materials. In addition to all of the above, dolomite:

• used as raw material for the production of ceramics, glass, cement, fertilizers;
• used in the manufacture of pesticides and paints;
• is the basis for creating decorative and building stones;
• acts as a filler in the production of asphalt, concrete blocks, etc.

A large amount of powdered dolomite (dolomite flour) is actively used to create float glass. Limestone material is also added to the soil to lower the acidity and “sweeten” the soil. This special material plays an important role in a variety of components that are used to produce residential and commercial construction products:

• plaster (waterproof, including);
• mastics;
• roofing systems;
• construction masonry joints;
• marble and polymers;
• concrete blocks;
• flooring – composite vinyl tiles, etc.

Dolomite in construction

The high strength of dolomite has led to its demand in construction, bringing to the present day unique architectural structures – white-stone churches, temples, cathedrals, etc. Limestone, which gave ancient buildings a white tint, was in previous years the most popular (and affordable) building material. Modern effective technologies have made this breed even more durable and elegant. Load-bearing walls are built from dolomite, and cladding and finishing work is carried out using it. It is also used in the production of small architectural elements.

Dolomite filler is included in cement, sealants, paints and varnishes, mineral wool, thermal insulation materials, gypsum mixtures, etc. The similarity of this material to marble allows you to beautifully decorate any building. The house made of dolomite limestone rocks is very comfortable to live in – in hot weather the rooms are pleasantly cool, and in winter – warm.

Application in landscape and interiors

Interior decoration using dolomite most often involves lining swimming pools, fireplaces, baths, and winter gardens with this material. Heat-treated slabs are used as flooring in kitchens and bathrooms – they have increased wear resistance and are almost completely slip-resistant.

Polished and embossed tiles are made from dolomite, which are used to cover stairs, window sills, plinths, and decorate columns. Modern roofing materials also have fine-grained dolomite in their structure – this not only gives them an elegant shine, but also significantly increases their performance characteristics.

In landscape design, dolomite is used to create garden sculptures, paving paths, steps, benches, gazebos, etc.