Manufacturing slate starts by finding quality stone and creating a large slate quarry. The raw material is removed from the earth using large heavy equipment. Slate is composed of minerals, and could also contain calcite, quartz, feldspar, dolomite and other minerals. It is then manufactured into a piece of construction material to be used as products such as a tile , shingles for a roof or siding for your home. When buying slate from it is important to ensure you have a slate inspection and it is being tested with the proper ASTM tests, and the qualified quality control specialists.
Flexure Testing of Slate
This test is used to indicate the differences of flexure in different type of slate. Flexure can be described as the break load, the elasticity of the product and the rupture of the slate.
Test for Water Absorption of Slate
This test is used to indicate the differences in water absorption in the different type of slate.
Test for Weather Resistance of Slate
This test is used to indicate the differences in weather resistance in the different type of slate. Two methods are used for the testing of the weather resistance of slate by determining the depth of softening by a hard abrasive surface or by manually scrapping the slate.
Test for Abrasion Resistance of Slate Subjected to Foot Traffic
This test is used to indicate the difference in abrasion resistance with several different types of slate used on floors, stairs, and counters.
Test for Abrasion Resistance of Slate Subjected to Foot Traffic Using a Rotary Platform
This test is used to ensure that the product meet the physical requirements, material characteristics, and sampling method needed. Slate will be classified either as the grade S1, S2, or S3, where each classification will meet the specified absorption, breaking load and depth of softening requirements.
In China, slate manufacturers have created special slate quarries which are used strictly for roofing and flooring. These quarries include gray, green, yellow, black slate quarry's . When making the decision to import and export slate from China testing and inspection is key
