We use natural stones for their natural beauty and timeless appeal. Apart from these, natural stones have some physical and chemical properties that are rendering them the most sought after material in the construction industry for centuries. Today, we are going to exploit one of those properties, which is Durability.

What Is the Durability of Natural Stone?

When we are going to define the durability of a material, it is the term used for an ability of a material to stay for a service life within the surrounding milieu, even without any damage or unforeseen maintenance requirement.

In simple words, natural stone should have resistance to various

• Weathering actions, including humidity, heat, frost/cold, wind, water, and Sun effects.
• Chemical attacks, including sewage, corrosion, carbonation, pH, and spills.

What Are Parameters to Measure Durability?

There are numerous parameters, which are coming under consideration when we are going to measure the durability of the natural stones. For instance, according to ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) procedures

• Absorption and specific gravity (C97)
• Modulus of rupture (C99)
• Compressive strength (C170)
• Flexural strength (C880) testing
• Abrasion resistance (C1353) testing

In practical life, the construction industry apply three main metrics, such as

1. Splitting due to layering impacts.
2. Crumbling due to orientation and bonding for grains/clasts.
3. Cracking due to human-oriented breaks and natural fissures.

How to Test the Durability of Natural Stones?

Technically, durability assessment of natural stones carried out by taking different approaches, such as

1. Accelerated Laboratory Durability Tests: freeze-thaw cycling, wetting–drying, and salt crystallization resistance.
2. Milieu Tests: complex environmental testing in test cabinets.
3. Exposure site testing.

Simulated weathering tests determine the capacity of stones withstanding against climatic adversities like heat/cold, dry/wet, and Sunlight. Acidic rain tests with 4-pH water, flexural strength test with 100-300 temperature cycle, and dynamic module of elasticity tests to evaluate deterioration at periodic intervals.

What Are Durability Specifications for Different Natural Stone Types?

We know general classifications of the natural rocks used in the construction industry is based on the mineral content and composition of the rocks. Siliceous rocks have silica as predominant element while calcareous rocks have calcites.

Due to an abundance of quartz and other silicates, siliceous stones are sturdy and durable whereas calcareous rocks are comparatively soft and useful in somewhat different applications than siliceous rocks. The following data depicts how different types of natural stones are differing in their durability parameters.

The durability of Siliceous Rocks:

Quartzite, Granites, and Sandstone are chief representatives of siliceous types of natural stones.

Durability (Physical property) Testing Results of Quartzite Stone:

Durability (Physical property) Testing Results of Granite Stone:

Durability (Physical property) Testing Results of Sandstone:

The durability of Calcareous Rocks:

Limestone, Marbles, and Travertine are commonly used natural stones in the construction industry.

Durability (Physical property) Testing Results of Limestone:

Durability (Physical property) Testing Results of Marble:

Durability (Physical property) Testing Results of Travertine:

Conclusion:

We have seen how calcareous stones are differing from the siliceous stones in hardness, density, water absorption, porosity, and modules of rupture like parameters. Therefore, stone experts in the industry prefer predominant use of calcareous stones in interior applications while siliceous for exterior applications.

Granite and quartzite are the best options for kitchen countertops and similar applications in the interior spaces while Travertine stone is the number one choice for swimming pool deck and patio like exterior applications.

If you are interested in the creation of a durable building using natural stones, World of Stones, Maryland, USA, is an ideal destination to obtain durable natural stones for your next projects. Moreover, you can get perfect guidance in due course. Please visit our website and come in contact with our stone consultants.