25–60 mm Diabase Crushed Stone: Railway Ballast & Embankments

Technical Details and Applications of 25-60 mm fraction

Diabase crushed stone in the 25–60 mm range is characterized by very high strength and coarse size, making it ideal for heavy-duty applications. Each piece is hard and angular, with enough weight to stay in place under significant forces. This fraction’s primary use is as railroad track ballast – in fact, diabase aggregate of 25–60 mm is produced specifically for railway bed requirements. The stones are laid beneath and around railroad ties. Thanks to their angular shape and the uniform, large size, they lock together when compressed, forming a stable lattice that holds the track alignment. The spaces between the rocks facilitate drainage, quickly moving water away so that the tracks remain secure on a dry foundation. Diabase is an excellent choice here because it’s extremely tough and wear-resistant, so the constant vibrations and loads from passing trains will not pulverize the ballast. It meets railway standards for hardness and durability – our 25–60 mm stone carries the same M1400 strength and I-1 abrasion rating as our other fractions. This means minimal breakdown over time, which in turn reduces the need for maintenance like track realignment or ballast replacement.

Beyond railroads, 25–60 mm aggregate serves in many large-scale fill projects. Its size and weight make it effective for rapidly building up stable embankments, such as the approaches to bridges, highway embankments, or raised platforms. Contractors use this fraction to fill gabion baskets as well, creating retaining walls for slopes or riverbanks; the diabase’s hardness helps gabions resist erosion and impact.

Key applications of 25–60 mm diabase:

• Railway ballast: This is the classic ballast size for railroads. 25–60 mm diabase crushed stone is placed as the ballast layer under railway tracks, where it anchors ties and distributes loads. The stone’s resistance to abrasion and weather ensures long service life of the track bed with less frequent topping up. Our diabase ballast meets the rigorous requirements for track stability and has been used in heavy freight and passenger rail lines.

• Embankments and large fills: When constructing road embankments, causeways, or levees, large-diameter aggregate is needed to establish bulk and stability. 25–60 mm stones are heavy enough not to be dislodged easily, and they form a robust mass that can support the weight of overlying structures or additional fill. They are often used as a core fill for highway ramps, elevated roadbeds, and platform foundations, sometimes in combination with smaller fractions to fill voids. This fraction is also suitable for playground and park landscaping fills where a coarse, long-lasting gravel is desired.

• Stabilization and erosion control: Because of its size and weight, 25–60 mm diabase can be used in scenarios like stabilizing the base of slopes or retaining structures. For instance, a layer of these stones at a slope’s toe can prevent soil erosion. In drainage channels or culverts, they can serve as armoring material to break the force of water. (For even larger hydraulic or coastal erosion control, bigger rip-rap would be used, but 25–60 mm is effective in smaller-scale drainage ditches and runoff control.)

For B2B clients focusing on rail and infrastructure development, the advantages of our diabase ballast are significant. Firstly, the material is geologically consistent – coming from a single diabase deposit – which means uniform performance. Every load of 25–60 mm stone has the same density and hardness, so it will compact and behave predictably. We deliver it in the large volumes that railway projects typically require (many tonnes per kilometer of track) and can supply continuous shipments by rail to keep pace with construction. In fact, we regularly carry out delivery to any city of Kazakhstan by rail in any volume needed, so remote project sites get the same service as urban ones. By sourcing your railway ballast and embankment stone directly from us, you also benefit from cost savings – avoiding multiple handlers – and from our technical support. We understand the needs of railway engineers and can ensure the aggregate meets the necessary specifications (our product aligns with GOST 8267-93 and other relevant quality norms). Ultimately, using 25–60 mm diabase crushed stone from our quarry means reinforcing your project with proven, high-grade material that will stand the test of time under heavy loads and harsh conditions.