Indicative Test Results - Stone for Flooring & Walls
Notice to Architects
The test results presented below were conducted by Jim Mann, Stone Initiatives MTG, South Australia - original copies in pdf format are available upon request.
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 |
| Chandra sandstone | 0.4 | A | slight surface pitting |
| Coolum sandstone | 5.8 | C | moderate to severe surface pitting |
| Capala sandstone
|
0.8 | A | 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 |
| Ivory travertine | 0.13 | A | very slight surface pitting |
| Classico travertine
|
0.04
|
AA
|
very slight surface pitting
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 0.18 | A | very slight surface pitting |
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) |
| Willow sandstone | 2421 | 2003 |
| Bellandra sandstone | 2421 | 2003 |
| Chandra sandstone | 2412 | 2003 |
| Coolum sandstone | 2226 | 2003 |
| Capala sandstone
|
2416 | 2003 |
| Coogee sandstone
|
2063
|
2003
|
| Grey Gum quartzite | 2720 | 2560 |
| Sofala quartzite | 2718 | 2560 |
| Ivory travertine | 2525 | 2305 |
| Classico travertine
|
2463
|
2305
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 2802 | - |
| Chinese Black slate | 2753
|
-
|
| Chinese North Country slate | 2714
|
-
|
| Chinese Sunrise slate | 2699
|
-
|
Water Absorption (ASTM C97-02)
| Stone Product
|
Water Absorption
|
Water Absorption
|
ASTM C616 Benchmarks
|
| Willow sandstone | 2.2 | 5.3
|
8.0 |
| Bellandra sandstone | 2.8 | 6.8
|
8.0 |
| Chandra sandstone | 2.9 | 7.0
|
8.0 |
| Capala sandstone
|
2.5 | 5.9
|
8.0 |
| Coogee sandstone
|
5.91
|
12.2
|
8.0
|
| Grey Gum quartzite | 0.05 | 0.17
|
1.0 |
| Sofala quartzite | 0.06 | 0.18
|
1.0 |
| Ivory travertine | 1.0 | 2.6
|
2.5 |
| Classico travertine
|
1.1
|
2.8
|
2.5
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 1.16 | 3.25
|
- |
| Chinese Black slate | 0.23
|
0.63
|
-
|
| Chinese North Country slate | 0.66
|
1.78
|
-
|
| Chinese Sunrise slate | 0.71
|
1.91
|
-
|
Flexural Strength (ASTM C880-98)
| Stone Product
|
Flex Strength Dried MPa
|
Flex Strength Wet MPa
|
| Willow sandstone | 19.4 | 16.1 |
| Bellandra sandstone | 15.6 | 13.5 |
| Chandra sandstone | 20.8 | 13.6 |
| Capala sandstone
|
14.6 | 12.4 |
| Coogee sandstone
|
8.3
|
5.8
|
| Grey Gum quartzite | 22.6 | 26 |
| Sofala quartzite | 21.7 | 23.7 |
| Ivory travertine | 12.2 | 6.9 |
| Classico travertine
|
17.9
|
17.8
|
| Bellambi bluestone | 30.7 | 24.0 |
| Chinese Black slate | 29.3
|
22.6
|
| Chinese North Country slate | 37.7
|
24.6
|
| Chinese Sunrise slate | 26.5
|
27.9
|
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 |
| Willow sandstone (nat split) | 65 | V | very low |
| Willow sandstone (honed)
|
60
|
V
|
very low
|
| Bellandra sandstone | 56 | V | very low |
| Chandra sandstone | 63 | V | very low |
| Coolum sandstone | 51 | W | low |
| Capala sandstone | 58 | 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 |
| Ivory travertine | 35 | X | moderate |
| Classico travertine (honed)
|
36
|
X
|
moderate
|
| Classico travertine (tumbled)
|
40
|
X
|
moderate
|
| 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 |
Interpretation of Slip Resistance Tests according to AS HB197:1999
| Location Suitability
|
V | W |
| External colonnade, walkways & pedestrian crossings
|
Yes | Yes |
| Swimming pool surrounds & communal shower rooms
|
Yes | Yes
|
| Shopping centres including food court
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Undercover concourses of sports stadium
|
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