Marble DOL (Dolomitic marble)
Grade
ASTM C503
Pick when higher density, harder wearing surface and slightly better acid/weather resistance than calcite marble are needed.
Values for the DOL condition
Other Marble tempers and conditions
Marble is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at Marble.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Travertine | Porous, voided banded carbonate stone — chosen for its texture and light weight; needs filling/backing and is weakest of the C503 family. | — | 5 | — | — | 2 W/m·K |
CALDefault Calcite marble | Default white/veined statuary and cladding marble — best polish and carving behaviour, most acid-sensitive. | — | 8 | — | — | 3 W/m·K |
DOLThis page Dolomitic marble | Pick when higher density, harder wearing surface and slightly better acid/weather resistance than calcite marble are needed. | — | 9 | — | — | 3 W/m·K |
Serpentine marble / Verde antique | Green silicate-based 'marble' — tougher and much more acid resistant than carbonate marbles, but prone to moisture-sensitive veining and shop-setting. | — | 12 | — | — | 3 W/m·K |
What is Marble DOL?
Marble DOL is Marble in the DOL grade — pick when higher density, harder wearing surface and slightly better acid/weather resistance than calcite marble are needed. Marble DOL has a tensile strength of 9 MPa (1.31 ksi), weaker than 74% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.02% and the elastic modulus is 62 GPa (8.99 Msi). Marble DOL has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of natural material grades. CAL is the default condition FabDigit quotes; DOL is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Polishes to a fine finish — 90/100, better than 100% of natural material grades
- Conducts heat well — 3.2 W/m·K (1.85 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of natural material grades
- Stiff — 62 GPa (8.99 Msi), better than 96% of natural material grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 1.2 MPa·√m (1.09 ksi·√in), better than 93% of natural material grades
- High service temperature — 350°C (662 °F), better than 91% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 0.02%, worse than 100% of natural material grades
- Heavy — 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), worse than 98% of natural material grades
- Difficult to machine — 58/100, worse than 89% of natural material grades
Marble DOL properties
Typical room-temperature values for Marble DOL; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Marble reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical2
Marble DOL has a density of 2.83 g/cm³ (0.102 lb/in³), heavier than 98% of natural material grades.
Mechanical12
Marble DOL has a tensile strength of 9 MPa (1.31 ksi), weaker than 74% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.02% and the elastic modulus is 62 GPa (8.99 Msi).
Thermal5
Marble DOL is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 3.2 W/m·K (1.85 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 7 µm/m·K (3.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Marble DOL has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁸ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is fair (35/100), worse than 66% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Marble DOL takes about 3 MJ of energy and emits 0.16 kg of CO₂ — less than 87% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Marble DOL's machinability is good (58/100, worse than 89% of natural material grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Marble DOL
Is Marble easy to machine?
Cut and profiled with water-cooled diamond blades, wire saws and CNC routers; keep feeds moderate and support the slab to avoid edge chipping and vein-line fracture.
Can Marble be welded?
Not weldable — sections are joined mechanically (anchors, kerf clips) or with epoxy/polyester stone adhesive and dowels.
Can Marble be formed, bent or molded?
No plastic forming; shape only by sawing, carving, waterjet inlay and hand tooling — thin panels below ~20 mm need resin-fiberglass or honeycomb backing.
What surface finishes work on Marble?
Takes a mirror polish with progressive diamond/tin-oxide abrasives; honed, brushed, flamed (calcite only) or sandblasted finishes are common, and an impregnating silane/siloxane sealer plus acid-free cleaners are needed to protect the polish.
Marble chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CaCO3 (calcite)principal mineral of calcitic marble | 80 – 99 | 95 |
| MgCO3 (as dolomite)up to ~45 % CaMg(CO3)2 in dolomitic marble | 0.5 – 15 | 2 |
| SiO2quartz / silicate accessory minerals | 0.1 – 5 | 1 |
| Al2O3clay/mica impurities | 0.05 – 2 | 0.3 |
| Fe2O3 + MnOsource of veining and colour | 0.02 – 1.5 | 0.2 |
| accessory minerals (graphite, pyrite, secontrols colour and staining risk | 0 – 5 | 0.5 |
Marble DOL — frequently asked
What is Marble DOL used for?
Marble DOL is typically used for countertops and vanity tops, sculpture and monuments, interior flooring and wall panels, decorative tile and building facades. In short: highest polish of stones; acid-sensitive interior stone; moderate carving workability.
What is the tensile strength of Marble DOL?
Marble DOL has a typical tensile strength of 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) — weaker than 74% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is Marble DOL easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (58/100, worse than 89% of natural material grades). Cut and profiled with water-cooled diamond blades, wire saws and CNC routers; keep feeds moderate and support the slab to avoid edge chipping and vein-line fracture.
Can Marble DOL be welded?
Not weldable — sections are joined mechanically (anchors, kerf clips) or with epoxy/polyester stone adhesive and dowels.
What surface finishes work on Marble DOL?
Takes a mirror polish with progressive diamond/tin-oxide abrasives; honed, brushed, flamed (calcite only) or sandblasted finishes are common, and an impregnating silane/siloxane sealer plus acid-free cleaners are needed to protect the polish.
Can Marble DOL be formed, bent or molded?
No plastic forming; shape only by sawing, carving, waterjet inlay and hand tooling — thin panels below ~20 mm need resin-fiberglass or honeycomb backing.
What is the maximum service temperature of Marble DOL?
Marble DOL is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM C503/C503M Standard Specification for Marble Dimension Stone — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM C99, C170, C880, C97 — stone test methods (modulus of rupture, compressive strength, flexural strength, absorption/density) — ASTM International (2023)
- Dimension Stone Design Manual, v8 — Natural Stone Institute (2016)
- Physical Properties of Rocks — thermal and elastic property tables — Elsevier / Landolt-Börnstein (2011)
- Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) v3 — stone — Circular Ecology (2019)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.