Test Reports

Physico-Mechanical Properties​

1. Water Absorption

Quartzite Stone Testing by CDOS
  Test Method EN 13755:2008; EN 1925:1999
  Key Results    (Average)
  • Water Absorption at Atmospheric Pressure: 0.08%
  • Coefficient of Water Absorption by Capillarity: 0.181 g/m²·s⁰·⁵
   Significance Water Absorption at Atmospheric Pressure

For context, most high-end commercial granites fall within the 0.1% to 0.4% range (ASTM C615 Min is 0.4%), while standard quartzites often average near 0.8% – 1.0% (ASTM C503 Min is 1.0%).

A 0.08% result classifies the material as technically impermeable for architectural purposes.

• This extreme density prevents the ingress of acidic rainwater and airborne pollutants that cause internal leaching.
• It ensures the stone is fundamentally immune to the destructive freeze-thaw cycles found in alpine or northern climates, where water expansion in pores causes spalling.
• Furthermore, it guarantees that deep-colored liquids (oils, wine, tannins) cannot penetrate the crystalline matrix, allowing for a clean-only maintenance protocol without the perpetual cost of chemical impregnators.
Therefore, this stone is suitable for a wide array of applications, be it countertops, front facades, flooring, wall cladding, etc.

Water Absorption by Capillarity

This is the primary predictor of salt efflorescence. The extremely low 0.181 value prevents the stone from acting like a sponge for sub-base moisture. It ensures that salts dissolved in the mortar bed do not stick to the surface where they would otherwise crystallize and cause white staining or surface decay. This makes our stone the superior choice for ground-level paving and wet-cladding systems where moisture is constantly present at the stone’s rear.

2. Compressive Strength

Quartzite Stone Testing by CDOS

  Test MethodEN 1926:2006
 Key Results    (Average)
  • Perpendicular to Bedding Plane – 172 MPa
  • Parallel to Bedding Plane – 86 MPa
 Significance

For context, the industry benchmark for heavy-duty paving is typically >100 MPa. Premium granites rarely exceed 150 MPa.

At 172 MPa (Perpendicular to bedding), our stone possesses the structural integrity required for the most demanding infrastructure projects.This strength profile allows architects to specify thinner slabs(e.g., 20mm instead of 30mm) to reduce dead load on high-rise facades and lower carbon footprints during transport, all while maintaining a safety factor far exceeding international codes. It is the ideal material for base-course masonry in flood-prone areas or high-impact urban environments like subway stations where mechanical stress is constant.

3. Abrasion Resistance

Quartzite Stone Testing by CDOS

 Test MethodEN 14157:2017
 Key Results   (Average)14.85 mm
 Significance

For high-traffic commercial environments, a groove width of <20 mm is the standard requirement. Softer stones like marble often exceed 25–30 mm, leading to visible traffic paths over time.

With a value of 14.85 mm, our quartzite demonstrates very high Mineral Hardness (Mohs 7+).This performance ensures that the original machine-cut or honed finish will remain visually identical after decades of millions of footfalls.It resists the polishing effect often seen on softer stones in corridors and is nearly immune to scratches from tracked-in quartz sand or grit. This longevity drastically increases the RoI for commercial developers by extending the floor’s lifecycle from years to decades.

4. Slip Resistance Value

Quartzite Stone Testing by CDOS

 Test MethodEN 14231:2003
 Key Results   (Average)
  • Dry Condition SRV 78
  • Wet Condition SRV 61
   Significance

Global safety standards (UKSRG/HSE) define any value above 36 as a “Low Slip Risk”. Most polished or honed natural stones fall dangerously into the 15–25 range when wet, requiring secondary anti-slip treatments.

A result of 61 in wet conditions is transformative for public safety. It signifies that our stone maintains a high friction grip even under heavy saturation. This eliminates the need for unsightly non-slip tapes or aggressive chemical etching that ruins the stone’s aesthetic.It is a Gold Standard specification for high-liability zones such as external public plazas, hotel pool surrounds, subway platforms, and hospital ramps, ensuring ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or similar global accessibility compliance without extra cost.

5. Thermal Shock

Thermal Shock Testing by CDOS

 Test MethodEN 14066 / EN 12372
 Key Results   (Average)+38.2% Flexural Increase
   Significance

Performance vs. Benchmark: Industry standards typically look for a loss of strength (deterioration) of less than 20% after thermal cycling. Most stones weaken significantly after 20 cycles of heating and quenching.

Superiority & Implications: Our stone actually showed an increase in average flexural strength (from 19.97 MPa to 25.98 MPa) after 20 thermal shock cycles. Visually, there was no scaling, exfoliation, or cracking. This suggests a highly stable mineralogical structure that sets rather than degrades under heat stress. It is a premier specification for extreme environments such as fireplace surrounds, external cladding in desert climates with high diurnal temperature swings, and industrial flooring.

6. Frost Resistance

Thermal Shock Testing by CDOS

 Test MethodEN 12371:2010 / EN 1926:2006
Key Results (Average)

A. Perpendicular Compressive Strength:
+11.7% change

B. Parallel Compressive Strength:
+18.1% change

 Significance

Performance vs. Benchmark:
Under EN 12371, natural stones are subjected to 56 rapid freeze-thaw cycles. The standard benchmark for commercial exterior suitability is a loss of strength of less than 20%. Many porous stones or lower-grade granites suffer significant micro-fracturing, resulting in a drop in compressive strength, structural flaking, or visible cracking.

Superiority & Engineering Implications:
Our quartzite exhibits a highly superior response: its compressive strength actually showed a statistical increase after 56 intense freeze-thaw cycles (+11.7% perpendicular, +18.1% parallel), while showing absolute physical preservation (no cracking, flaking, or edge damage). This proves that 56 cycles of severe thermal contraction and expansion do not cause any micro-fissuring or fatigue in the crystalline quartz structure. Instead, the physical pressure from freezing water in the extremely sparse, disconnected pores may act to mechanically compress and lock the grain boundaries. This material is highly recommended for cold-weather environments (such as Northern Europe, Canada, and high-altitude regions) where freeze-thaw cycles cause catastrophic failure in other stones.

7. Rupture Energy

Quartzite Stone Testing by CDOS
Test Method EN 14158:2004
Key Results (Average) 4 Joules
Significance For context, standard domestic stones often measure between 1–2 Joules. Heavy-duty industrial paving targets 3.5 Joules and above to withstand mechanical impacts.

A result of 4 Joules proves an exceptionally high inter-crystalline bond. In practical construction terms, this translates to “High Impact Toughness.” The stone is significantly less likely to shatter when heavy tools are dropped during installation or when subjected to heavy-wheeled luggage in airports. This toughness reduces onsite breakage waste (often 5–10% for weaker stones) to near zero, providing significant cost savings and ensuring the edges remain sharp and crisp under physical duress.

Mineralogical Characterization

1. Chemical Characterization

Quartzite Stone Testing by CDOS

High Silica Content: The rock is composed of more than 95% Quartz. This makes it chemically inert, highly resistant to acid etching (unlike marble), and provides a natural, crystalline luster.

2. Petrographic Study

Quartzite Stone Testing by GSI

Key Takeaways

1. Superior Durability & Hardness: Because it is a true Quartzite (metamorphosed sandstone), it possesses significantly higher compressive strength and lower porosity than its sedimentary counterparts.

2. Unique Geological Character: The presence of strained quartz (observed via undulose extinction) is a fingerprint of the tectonic stress that formed the rock. This internal strain often translates to a unique depth and “shimmer” when the slabs are polished.

Connection to the Alwar Quartzite

Quartzite with strained quartz and minor epidote from the Bharatpur Region —is highly characteristic of the Alwar Group of the Delhi Supergroup.

  • North Indian Historical Architecture: This stone was used to build some of the oldest monuments of international importance like Purana Qila, Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Tughlaqabad Fort, Qutub Complex, Humayun’s Tomb, Bhangarh Fort, etc.
  • The Himalayan Heritage: The Alwar Quartzites are legendary in Indian geology for their age (Paleoproterozoic) and their role in forming the rugged Aravalli range.
  • Industrial Benchmark: Alwar Quartzite is the gold standard for high-strength building stone in Northern India. It is one of the most durable natural materials in the world.