MARBLE
LARRYN SMERLING | DS 224 | FALL 2020
HTGR702 | body |henrytimigiorgiorava 2014 | washbasin
Characteristics & Source
Marble is a classic and popular stone for design use. The veins of color are a trademark for the stone. Often the main component is light with dark veining but comes in an array of color combinations. The Metamorphic rock is porous and has a low hardness making it suitable for sculptures but temperamental to use on interior surfaces that receive a lot of wear and tear. Marble is created by extreme heat, and pressure is placed on limestone. The most commonplace for large marble deposits are in Europe. The resistance to erosion and fire and beautiful, unique patterns of the sone make it a coveted material.
Product Application
Marble is a widely used and versatile material. It is used on exterior and interior spaces working as decoration, workspaces, transportation. Some typical applications in the home are on countertops, stairs, backsplashes, and sinks. The stone's moldability allows for other uses such as sculptures and extensions of countertops onto floors or walls. A standard finish for marble is smooth polish, but can also be seen leathered and honed. Each finish will give a different feel to the stone and will determine what it is used for(all types still need to be sealed to protect from damage).
OMNIA Natural Stone|Grand Hyatt IncheonI hotel H2
Environmental Impact
Marble is energy-intensive to manufacture and is not a renewable resource. The energy that goes into extracting the stone from the Earth causes air and water pollution. The need for sealants on the stone adds to its environmental impact; choosing sealants with lower VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) is essential. Regionally manufactured and extracted stone dramatically reduces environmental impact. It cuts down on emissions of greenhouse gasses during transportation and can also go a long way to support the local economy.
MSSM Associates Modern Marble staircase
Production
Marble is a sensitive stone to work with, so it is extracted from quarries in large blocks. Once these blocks are removed from the Earth, they are transported to manufacturing plants. At the plant the depending on size, the marble is cut by multiwire cutters or Block cutter. To ensure safe transportation and additional strength, sometimes a mesh backing is added to one side of the stone
Testing
The American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM)is recognized globally for testing and publishing Material Standards, which includes Natural Stone Products
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Mohs Hardness scale rating( 3-3.5)
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-ATSM C880/C880M flexural strength -
-ATSM C170/C170M Compressive strength -
-ASTM C503 Standard Specification for Marble Dimension Stone (Exterior)
Maintenance Requirements
The natural stone is primarily composed of calcium carbonate, making it sensitive to acid and other surface staining. To ensure the stone's protection, a sealant needs to be applied every few months (longer breaks after consistent sealing). Marble is a porous stone, so it is advised not to let any spill sit on the surface because it will stain the stone. Hot items should also not be placed on marble. For cleaning using warm water and natural soaps with a neutral pH level will suffice.
Antolini Exclusive Stone Collection