Dolomite
Dolomite was named after the French mineralogist Deodat de Dolomieu. This mineral is commonly found in deposits of a sedimentary rock known as dolostone. There are two types of materials often referred to as dolomite: a true chemically uniform calcium magnesium carbonate with the chemical formula CaMg(CO3)2, and dolomite limestone, an irregular mixture of calcium and magnesium carbonates.
Dolomite is believed to have formed by the replacement of some of the calcium in a calcium carbonate limestone deposit with magnesium. This transformation occurs while the sediment undergoes lithification, a process in which layers of dead clam and other sea animal shells are converted into crystallized calcite or calcium carbonate. The resultant dolomite mineral, CaMg(CO3)2, is a true double salt. The calcium and magnesium ions in dolomite exist in separate layers within the crystal matrix. Specifically, the structure of dolomite consists of alternating layers: a calcium layer, followed by a carbonate layer, then a magnesium layer, and another carbonate layer, and so on.
Dolomite is available in different particle size ranges: 2.5, 5, 25, 50, 150, and 600, and it can also be provided as per the customer’s specifications. Compared to the calcite form of calcium carbonate or limestone, dolomite is both harder and denser, making it more chemically inert and more impervious to acid attack.
Dolomite Powder for Construction Material
As a construction material, Dolomite is crushed and sized for use as a road base material, an aggregate in concrete and asphalt, railroad ballast, rip-rap (to armor shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pilings, and other shoreline structures against scour and water erosion), or as fill. Dolomite is chosen for construction because of its increased hardness and density. Asphalt and concrete applications prefer dolomite as a filler due to its higher strength and hardness.
Dolomite Powder for Iron and Steel Industry
In the iron and steel industry, the main uses of dolomite are as a fluxing material, for protection of refractory lining, and as a refractory raw material. Dolomite in the iron and steel industry is normally used in three forms: (i) raw dolomite (which is also its natural form), (ii) calcined dolomite, and (iii) sintered dolomite. When dolomite is used as a fluxing material, it can be used either in its raw form or as calcined dolomite. When used for protection of refractories, it is calcined, and as a refractory raw material, it is used in sintered form.
Dolomite Powder for Chemical Industry
In the chemical industry, dolomite is used as a source of MgO. In agriculture, dolomite acts as a soil conditioner and as a feed additive for livestock. Dolomite has been used as a minor source of magnesium, but most magnesium today is produced from other sources. Calcined dolomite is also used as a catalyst for the destruction of tar in the gasification of biomass at high temperatures.
Dolomite Powder for Agriculture
Dolomite is relatively soft and easily crushed into a soft powder. In agriculture, dolomite powder is used to reduce soil acidity and to adjust for magnesium deficiency, an important plant nutrient. The powder is used as a filler in various products such as detergents, paints, rubbers, agricultural products, animal feed, putty, and other adhesives and sealants. It is also used in manufacturing plastics and ceramic tiles. Dolomite must be finely ground to precise size specifications, with pure white (high brightness) filler grades being preferred, although rare.
Dolomite Powder for Glass Industry
Another significant use of dolomite is in the glassmaking industry. Most commercial glasses consist essentially of silica, soda (Na2O), and lime (CaO), with the lime being partly replaced by magnesia. This replacement is performed by adding dolomite. In the flat glass industry, most lime is introduced with the dolomite, with only a small amount of limestone used to balance the CaO/MgO ratio. While lime and magnesia improve the durability of the glass, magnesia also inhibits the devitrification process, essential for manufacturing flat glass.
Dolomite Powder for Container Glass
Dolomite is used in container glass production as well. A critical property for this grade of dolomite is the iron content, considered a serious impurity in the production of colorless glasses. Very low content of Fe2O3 is required for the manufacture of colorless glass containers and, at times, low iron flat glasses. Unlike silica sand, mineral processing cannot effectively reduce the iron content of dolomite.
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