Following are the important properties of fine aggregates

1. Size: The size of fine aggregate should be equal to or less than 4.75 mm.

2. Shape: Sand of irregular nodular shape is preferable to completely round grained sand. Shape of the aggregate plays a more important role in coarse aggregate rather than fine aggregate.

3. Specific Gravity: It is the ratio of density of aggregate to the density to water.

4. Bulk density: It is the ratio of weight of aggregate (including voids) to its unit volume.

5. Moisture Content (% Water absorption): It is the ratio of weight of water absorbed to weight of dry aggregate; measured in percentage.

6. Bulking: Bulking of sand means increase in volume of sand due to surface moisture.

7. Surface Texture: Surface texture is the property which defines whether a particular surface is polished, dull, smooth or rough. Generally rough surface aggregate is preferable to smooth aggregates.

8. Soundness: Soundness means the ability of aggregates to resist excessive change in volume as a result of change in physical condition.

9. Durability: Some of the aggregate contain reactive silica, which reacts with alkalies present in cement and hence reduce the durability. Durability is the ability to resist against the weathering actions, chemical attack, etc.

10. Silt content: It is defined as the total quantity of fine particles of deleterious materials having particle from 0.06 mm to 0.002 mm present in sand.