|
1. Apparent specific weight. This test determines the density of the material.
2. Testing of Loads These tests determine the aptitude of a stone for its use in places subject to heavy movement over the floors from cleaning machines to vehicles
and there are basically three :
- Resistance to compression
-
Resistance of a testing sample of a material to be broken using a compression load.
-
Resistance to flexion.
-
Resistance of a testing sample of a material to be broken by means of flexion force.
-
Resistance to blows.
The height from which a steel ball has to be fallen so that a testing sample placed on the floor is broken. On this point it must be mentioned that a deficient installation of a material several times leads to granite and marble tiles with sufficient properties to resist a determined type of movement ending up breaking.
3. Abrasion Tests The abrasion tests measure the deterioration through friction that is suffered on the surface of the material subject to movement. There are different forms of measuring the abrasion though in general a machine for wear and tear is used evaluating at the end of the test the quantity of material lost or the height lost by the surface.
4. Reaction to Humidity The reaction of a material to humidity is one of the properties in which the tests of the different norms present greatest difference of opinions , and this is owing to the fact that a material absorbs water as a function of the time of absorption and in function of the temperature of the water. The absorption of water of a material is important to determine the easiness of cleaning,. the particles of dirt, usually penetrate into the material through water, less absorption means less penetration of dirt. It is also an important parameter for identifying the suitability of a material for claddings, a high level of absorption along with a cold climate can cause the water to be absorbed in the surface of the stone freezes and ends up breaking the surface.
5. Reaction to Chemical Agents The reaction of the materials to chemical products, generally to acids, has the objective of establishing the suitability of the use of the material in situations that are subject to attacks of aggressive products : from kitchens to industrial areas.
One can establish that these characteristics form the basis of mechanical behaviour of the stone, for the prescription of stone in usual applications these tests are sufficient.
For Establishing suitability tests of stone, click here
For stone tests main page, click here
Please click here to return back to articles main page
|
