Indicative Test Results - Stone for Flooring & Walls
Notice to Architects, Specifiers & Estimators
The test results presented below were conducted by Jim Mann, Stone Initiatives MTG, South Australia - original copies in pdf format are available upon request.
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Resistance to Salt Attack (AS/NZS 4456:10-2003 Method A)
(This test is also a very good indicator of durability under all conditions)
| Stone Product
|
Weight Loss % | Classification | Mode of Decay - Explanation |
| Willow sandstone | 0.2 | A | no decay visible |
| Bellandra sandstone | 0.4 | A | very slight surface pitting |
| Coogee sandstone
|
1.4
|
B
|
slight surface pitting
|
| Grey Gum quartzite | 0.05 | AA | no decay visible |
| Sofala quartzite | 0.05 | AA | no decay visible |
| Classico travertine
|
0.04
|
AA
|
very slight surface pitting
|
| Mocha travertine
|
0.3
|
A
|
slight surface pitting
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 0.18 | A | very slight surface pitting |
| Mali bluestone
|
0.08
|
AA
|
no decay visible |
NB The benchmarks for use of stone around salt water pools is 0.1% weight loss or less
Bulk Specific Gravity (Density) (ASTM C97-02)
| Stone Product
|
Bulk Specific Gravity
(Kg/m3) |
ASTM C616
Benchmarks Kg/m3 (min) |
| Alba Grey marble
|
2716
|
2595 (ASTM C503-08)
|
| Willow sandstone | 2421 | 2003 |
| Bellandra sandstone | 2421 | 2003 |
| Coogee sandstone
|
2063
|
2003
|
| Grey Gum quartzite | 2720 | 2560 |
| Sofala quartzite | 2718 | 2560 |
| Classico travertine
|
2463
|
2305
|
| Mocha traveritne
|
2416
|
2305
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 2802 | 2560 |
| Mali bluestone
|
2895
|
2560
|
| Chinese Black slate | 2753
|
-
|
| Chinese North Country slate | 2714
|
-
|
| Chinese Sunrise slate | 2699
|
-
|
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Water Absorption (ASTM C97-02)
| Stone Product
|
Water Absorption
by weight % |
Water Absorption
by volume % (porosity) |
ASTM C616 Benchmarks
by weight % (max) |
| Alba Grey marble
|
0.12
|
-
|
0.20 (ASTM C503-08)
|
| Willow sandstone | 2.2 | 5.3
|
8.0 |
| Bellandra sandstone | 2.8 | 6.8
|
8.0 |
| Coogee sandstone
|
5.9
|
12.2
|
8.0
|
| Grey Gum quartzite | 0.05 | 0.17
|
3.0 |
| Sofala quartzite | 0.06 | 0.18
|
3.0 |
| Classico travertine
|
1.1
|
2.8
|
2.5
|
| Mocha travertine
|
1.8
|
-
|
2.5
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 1.16 | 3.25
|
- |
| Mali bluestone
|
0.49
|
1.4
|
|
| Chinese Black slate | 0.23
|
0.63
|
0.25 (exterior) & 0.45 (interior) (ASTM C629-08)
|
| Chinese North Country slate | 0.66
|
1.78
|
0.25 (exterior) & 0.45 (interior) (ASTM C629-08) |
| Chinese Sunrise slate | 0.71
|
1.91
|
0.25 (exterior) & 0.45 (interior) (ASTM C629-08) |
Flexural Strength (ASTM C880-98)
| Stone Product
|
Flexural Strength Dried MPa
|
Flexural Strength Wet MPa
|
Benchmarks
|
| Alba Grey marble
|
18.1
|
12.2
|
7.0 (ASTM C615)
|
| Willow sandstone | 19.4 | 16.1 |
|
| Bellandra sandstone | 15.6 | 13.5 |
|
| Coogee sandstone
|
8.3
|
5.8
|
|
| Grey Gum quartzite | 22.6 | 26 | 6.9 (ASTM C616)
|
| Sofala quartzite | 21.7 | 23.7 | 6.9 (ASTM C616) |
| Classico travertine
|
17.9
|
17.8
|
|
| Mocha traverine
|
16.4
|
13.6
|
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 30.7 | 24.0 | 10.34
|
| Mali bluestone
|
22.8
|
18.1
|
10.34
|
| Chinese Black slate | 29.3
|
22.6
|
|
| Chinese North Country slate | 37.7
|
24.6
|
|
| Chinese Sunrise slate | 26.5
|
27.9
|
|
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Breaking Load of Segmental Pavers (AS/NZS 4456.5-2003)
|
|
Modulus of Rupture Strength MPa |
| Bellambi bluestone | 27.1 |
Slip Resistance - Wet Pendulum Test (AS/NZS 4586:2004)
| Stone Product
|
Slip Resistance
mean BPN |
Risk of Slipping
Classification |
Risk of Slipping
Assessment |
| Alba Grey marble
|
31
|
Y
|
High
|
| Willow sandstone (natural split) | 65 | V | very low |
| Willow sandstone (honed)
|
60
|
V
|
very low
|
| Bellandra sandstone | 56 | V | very low |
| Coogee sandstone - s/blasted
|
73
|
V
|
very low |
| Coogee sandstone - sawn
|
67
|
V
|
very low |
| Grey Gum quartzite | 52 | W | low |
| Sofala quartzite | 52 | W | low |
| Classico travertine (honed)
|
36
|
X
|
moderate
|
| Classico travertine (tumbled)
|
40
|
X
|
moderate
|
| Mocha travertine (honed)
|
34
|
Y
|
high
|
| Arctic Green slate | 53 | W | low |
| Chinese Black slate
|
56 | V
|
very low |
| Chinese North Country slate
|
49
|
W
|
low |
| Chinese Sunrise slate
|
53
|
W
|
low |
| Bellambi bluestone - flamed | 50 | W | low |
| Bellambi bluestone - honed | 37 | X | moderate/high |
| Bellambi bluestone - polished | 19 | Z | very high |
| Mali bluestone - flamed
|
60
|
V
|
very low
|
| Mali bluestone - honed
|
32
|
Y
|
high
|
Architects - AS HB197 may be used to approximate Oil Ramp test R values - there is no conversion table as the tests are vastly different. On this basis, V (on the more relevant & less costly wet pendulum test) is closely aligned with R11 and X with R10.
Interpretation of Slip Resistance Tests
(Reference AS HB197:1999)
| Location Suitability
|
V ( equivalent to R11 - AS HB197)
|
W |
| External colonnade, walkways & pedestrian crossings
|
Yes | Yes |
| Swimming pool surrounds & communal showers
|
Yes | Yes
|
| Shopping centres including food courts
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Undercover concourses of sports stadiums
|
Yes | No |
| Entry foyers hotel, office, public buildings - wet
|
Yes | Yes |
| External stair nosings & ramps
|
Yes
|
No
|
| Toilet facilities in offices, hotels & shopping centres
|
Yes | No |
Data Source - Stone Initiatives + Materials Testing Group Pty Ltd. South Australia & CSIRO