Sandstone

Sandstone is a sedimentary rock group which is mostly made up of tiny grains of quartz. Most sandstone is formed in oceans, lakes and rivers where tiny bits of rock and dirt settle to the bottom. Year after year, these layers of sand get buried under tons of more sand and dirt until it is turned into solid rock. Sandstone can be found in many colors.

Physical Properties of Sandstone

Physically, they are very Hard, Compact, Fine grained, equi-granular homogeneous rocks of sedimentary nature (Sandstone)

Color	Minor color tonal variations exist but within the tolerance limit.
Hardness	6.5 to 7 on Moh's Scale
Density	2.3 to 2.4 Kg/cm3
Compressive Strength	90 to 140 N/mm2
Modulus of Rupture	16-40 N/mm2
Water Absorption	1.0 - 1.2 %
Porosity	Low to very low.
Weather Impact	Resistant

Chemical Properties of Sandstone

Chemically they are very resistant Mono-Mineralic rocks, principally composed of silica. The other minor constituents vary from origin to origin.

SiO2	95-97%
Iron (Fe2O3)	0.5%-1.5%
Alumina (Al2O3)	1 to 1.5%
Soda (Na2O) & Potash (Kro)	Less then 1%
Lime (CaO)	Less then 0.5%
Magnesia (MgO)	Less then 0.5%
Loss On Ignition (LOI)	Less then 0.5%

They are highly resistant to acids, alkalies and thermal impact. Insolubility in acids and alkalies is about 97%.

Teakwood and Rainbow sandstones differ from above physical properties

Hardness	6 to 6.5 on Moh's Scale
Density	2.07 to 2.11 Kg/cm3
Compressive Strength	41 to 63 N/mm2
Modulus of Rupture	7-11 N/mm2
Water Absorption	8.0 - 11 %
Porosity	Comparatively Porous
Weather Impact	Resistant

Uses of Sandstone

• Manufacturing of plate glass, fine table glassware, and common glassware.
• Crushed in concrete and asphalt to fill in dike and jetty construction.
• Rough and weathered sandstone is used as fireplaces, walls, and walkways.
• As decorative stones.
• As bookends, clocks, paperweights, coaster, etc.
• As flooring or paving material.
• Load bearing masonry
• Sandstone slabs and sandstone tiles are used in cladding.
• In chemical industries as flooring, wall fixing and lining due to its acid and alkali resistant properties.
• It is ideal for carving and architectural uses as pillars, arches, garden furniture, fountains, landscaping products and stone arts & crafts.
• Sandstone blocks are used as foundations and stonewalls.

Ocurrances of Sandstone

India	Bari Railway station in Bharatpur district Jodhpur, Kota, Sawai, Madhopur, Bundi, Bikaner, and Bhilwara Indore, Damoh, Bilaspur, Rewa, Nimar, Sagar, Satna, Raigar,and Shahdol districts in Madhya Pradesh Dholpur, Sawaimadhopur, Chittorgarh, Nimbhahera, Jhalawar, Pali and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan Kynshi River, West Khasi Hills district, Meghalaya Bagia Nala, Bargarh district in Chattisgarh Sitla Mata, Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh Dhaula dhar and siwalik range of the himalayan in Hinachal Pradesh
Scotland	Watlen, Caithness Elgin, Moray Byness, Lothian Lockerbie, Dumfries & Galloway
Algeria	Jurjura and Shellata