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»Diabase-Dolerite«

»Diabase-Dolerite» is a mafic, holocrystalline, intrusive igneous rock equivalent to volcanic basalt or plutonic gabbro. »Diabase-Dolerite» forms by relatively rapid crystallization of basaltic magma (rock melt). Its dikes, sills and sheets are typically shallow intrusive bodies and often exhibit fine grained to aphanitic chilled margins.

Petrography

»Diabase-Dolerite» is a fine- to medium-grained, dark gray to black intrusive igneous rock. The most diagnostic feature is the ophitic texture, in which small rectangular plagioclase crystals are enclosed or partially wrapped by large crystals of pyroxene. As the quantity of pyroxene decreases, the mineral becomes more interstitial to feldspar.

The rock is closely allied chemically and mineralogically with basalt and gabbro. As grain size increases, the rock passes into gabbro; as it decreases, diabase passes into basalt.

Characteristics

»Diabase-Dolerite» is extremely hard and tough. It is commonly used for crushed stone. Its resistance to weathering and its general appearance make it a first-class material for high performance asphalt and concrete.

Typical »Diabase-Dolerite» has an unconfined compressivestrength that is considerably higher than that of other coarse-grained igneous rock.

The performance of high quality aggregates depends on the mineralogical, physical and mechanical properties of rock. Aggregates made of »Diabase-Dolerite» are resistant to crushing and impact loads, as well as chemical and physical weathering.