Testing helps experts in evaluating the suitability of a stone for a specific application. Professionals take help of tools and equipments supplied by manufacturers of tiles laboratory testing equipment. The strength of the stone is tested to find and evaluate its resistance to bending and crushing. The specific gravity or density is tested to intend a support system that has the capability to carry stone weight. A list of testing methods used by experts will be discussed here in this post. Keep reading to discover how experts test the tiles or stones.
- ASTM tests
ASTM tests are performed within engineering facilities and don’t include petrographic. Other geologic tests are used for evaluating stone behavior in off environmental settings. The behavior of stone is directly related to the mineral(s) behavior that build up the stone. If you have knowledge of chemical and physical properties of the common minerals that made the stone, it will be easy for you to understand its behavior.
- Petrography
Petrography is the science of description and rocks classification. Experts can arrange a petrographic analysis at construction material laboratories. More sophisticated analyses is carried out in well-equipped labs to determine the exact chemical and trace element content.
- XRD analysis or X-ray diffraction
XRD analysis is tried and tested analytical technique that is used by experts since decades in petrology and it is most preferred technique in several situations. However, modern analytical techniques have evolved and have become more precise and are instantly taking place of XRD for most routine purpose.
- Lithogeochemistry
Lithogeochemistry is the chemical analysis of stone. It relies on several latest procedures, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy, instrumental neutron activation analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, etc.
Experts check the stone uniformity; they perform wet/dry testing, and porosity of the stone.
Stone is a natural product that varies. The properties of stone differ from one part of quarry to another. For more tests, experts test the dry stone specimens. Since the strength may differ if the stone is wet, experts take wet specimens to test the flexural strength of the stone.
Water absorption helps in measuring the porosity of the stone. More absorbing of water means the stone will absorb liquid stains more easily. They quality check the stone and pass the one that has lower porosity rate.
If you want to know which tiles laboratory testing equipment is used by experts for testing stone, you can ask the experts directly.
