What are Aggregates?
Aggregate is a granular material mix typically made of sand, stone, gravel, recycled concrete and crushed rock. It gives volume to the composite material, adding strength and reinforcement so that it is highly resistant to erosion and wear.
The material can be made to be fine with particles <6.5mm or of a coarser texture with particles ranging between 6.5 to 40mm.
Aggregates are the most mined materials in the world. Aggregates are a component of composite materials such as concrete and asphalt; the aggregate serves as reinforcement to add strength to the overall composite material.
Can aggregates be recycled?
Aggregates themselves can be recycled as aggregates. Recyclable aggregate tends to be concentrated in urban areas. The supply of recycled aggregate depends on physical decay and demolition of structures. Mobile recycling plants eliminate the cost of transporting the material to a central site. The recycled material is typically of variable quality.
Many aggregate products are recycled for other industrial purposes. Contractors save on disposal costs and less aggregate is buried or piled and abandoned.
How are aggregates used today?
- Manufacture of Pre-Mix Concrete
- Landscaping and Decorative
- Backfill Drainage Material
- Filter Material
- Tile Manufacture
- Masonry – Bricks, Pavers & Retaining Walls
What size aggregate do you process and deliver?
We offer a range of aggregates:
Pre Coat
- 7mm
- 10mm
- 14mm
- 16mm
Regular
- 7mm
- 10mm
- 14mm
- 16mm
- 20mm
Course vs Fine Aggregates
Coarse Aggregate
Coarse-grained aggregates will not pass through a sieve with 4.75 mm openings (No. 4).
Those particles that are predominantly retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve and will pass through 3-inch screen, are called coarse aggregate. The coarser the aggregate, the more economical the mix. Larger pieces offer less surface area of the particles than an equivalent volume of small pieces. Use of the largest permissible maximum size of coarse aggregate permits a reduction in cement and water requirements. Using aggregates larger than the maximum size of coarse aggregates permitted can result in interlock and form arches or obstructions within a concrete form. That allows the area below to become a void, or at best, to become filled with finer particles of sand and cement only and results in a weakened area.
For Coarse Aggregates in Roads following properties are desirable:
- Strength
- Hardness
- Toughness
- Durability
- Shape of aggregates
- Adhesion with bitumen
Fine Aggregate
The other type of aggregates are those particles passing the 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) sieve, almost entirely passing the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve, and predominantly retained on the 75 µm (No. 200) sieve are called fine aggregate. For increased workability and for economy as reflected by use of less cement, the fine aggregate should have a rounded shape. The purpose of the fine aggregate is to fill the voids in the coarse aggregate and to act as a workability agent.
Speak to our Quarry Manager to place an order.
