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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.
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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 |
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