Stone dust is produced during crushing and is often considered as an alternative to sand. Here is how the two compare and where each is typically used.
Stone dust (also called crusher dust) is the fine material produced while crushing rock into aggregates. With river sand becoming harder to source in many areas, stone dust is widely used in suitable applications.
How they differ
| Stone dust | Natural sand | |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Crushing of rock | Rivers, pits |
| Particle shape | Angular | Mostly rounded |
| Typical uses | Blocks, pavers, filling, bedding, some mortars | Plaster, mortar, concrete |
Where stone dust works well
- Manufacturing of concrete blocks and paver tiles.
- Bedding under paver blocks and tiles.
- Filling and levelling work.
Points to keep in mind
Because the particles are angular and may contain very fine powder, mixes can need adjustment. For structural concrete and plaster, follow the specification and your engineer's advice on whether and how much stone dust can be used.
