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Slate as Dimension Stone pp 61–134Cite as

Properties of Slate

Part of the Springer Mineralogy book series (MINERAL)

Abstract

Slate stands out from other stones due to its pronounced anisotropy, affecting more or less intensely all properties of the slate. The anisotropy is caused by the cleavage plane which is composed of mica layers and thus, highly depends on the mineralogical composition and the fabric of a slate. Both, mineralogy and the fabric govern the overall character of a slate and are therefore thoroughly explained. Since not only slate in strict sense is used for roofing, the different and relevant fissile stone types are shortly introduced. In this chapter, the rock-mechanical properties of slate are described, considering especially the dependence of the different strength values in respect to the orientation to the cleavage plane. Emphasis is put on the bending strength since it is the most important and only required strength parameter for roofing slate. Other strength parameter like the compressive strength or the Young’s modulus are important in respect to safety calculations during mining. The physical properties of slate comprise hardness and abrasion, fissility, density and porosity, thermal conductivity and thermal expansion as well as hydric and hygric properties. The optical parameter includes colours and the identification of the different splitting surfaces of slates which give slate a distinct appearance. Furthermore, this chapter includes various data from own investigations and from other published research to provide a comprehensive overview of the different slate properties and to enable the reader to work with it.

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Source Peschel (1977), slate: compiled from certificates of slate producers according to the EN 12326

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Source US slates from Kessler and Sligh (1932); others: Wichert and compiled from certificates according to the EN 12326

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Data Braun (2013)

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Sources Rodríguez-Sastre et al. (2008), Alam et al. (2008), Braun (2013)

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Source Dinh (2011)

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Source Dinh (2011)

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Source Dinh (2011)

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Data Scotland from Walsh (2002)

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After Fischer and Koch (2005), for explanation see text

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Data from Siegesmund and Dürrast (2014)

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Source other stones Siegesmund and Dürrast (2014)

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  1. Geotechnical Institute, Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg, Germany

    Jörn Wichert

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Wichert, J. (2020). Properties of Slate. In: Slate as Dimension Stone. Springer Mineralogy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35667-5_4

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