Kapustinsky granite (Rosso Santiago)

Rosso Santiago granite products

Curbs GP-5 heat-treated from Kapustinsky granite

Curbs GP-5 sawn from Kapustinsky granite

Curbs GP-5 polished from Kapustinsky granite

Sawn paving stone from Kapustinsky granite (20×10×3 cm)

Polished parking hemispheres made of red granite, diameter — 50 cm

Polished parking hemispheres made of red granite, diameter — 40 cm

Stairs from granite Rosso Santiago

Rosso Santiago granite slabs

Physical and mechanical properties of Kapustinsky granite

Note that these properties are very important when designing ventilated facades, stairs and granite paving. The apparent average density of granite from the Kapustyansky deposit is determined in accordance with EN 1936. For this, several samples of this granite with a size of 50x50x50 mm with a sawn surface are submitted to a certified laboratory. The average apparent density of this rock is 2700 kg/m3.

Laboratory tests for open porosity of granite from the Kapustinsky quarry showed results of 0.51% by volume.

Water absorption of granite

This is perhaps one of the most important performance indicators of the stone. It directly determines the frost resistance of facade slabs and paving. As well as the resistance of countertops made of this granite to dirt that penetrates into the surface of the stone along with water. To determine the level of water absorption, 10 samples of Kapustyansky granite measuring 5x5x5 centimeters were used. Testing was carried out in accordance with EN 13755, and showed an excellent result for this rock – 0.22% by weight, at atmospheric pressure. For comparison: conventional ceramic bricks have a water absorption of 6-8%!

Abrasion resistance

This indicator is very important for granites, which are used for paving or flooring. That is, wherever there is an abrasive load on the stone. Abrasion resistance, or stability, shows how many grams of the material will lose when 1 million passers-by pass over a given area. Testing was carried out in accordance with EN 14157. For this, a sample of Kapustinsky granite was taken, 70×70 mm in size and 30 mm thick. Laboratory tests showed an average value of 0.48 grams per cm2. This means that when passing through the test sample of the 1st million people, it reduced its thickness by only 1.3 mm. This is a great indicator!

Compressive Strength Tests

Strength testing is carried out in two directions: to identify the ultimate flexural strength, and the ultimate compressive strength. The bending strength limit of granite sets the limits of rock destruction under bending loads: steps of stairs made of stone, paving slabs, under which the base is partially missing. Compressive pressure limit – shows what maximum load the test sample of granite can carry, with a solid base under it.

Compressive strength

This test is carried out in accordance with EN 1926. For this, 10 samples of Kapustinsky granite with a size of 50x50x50 mm were used. Testing showed that the samples fail on average at a pressure of 165 MPa under uniaxial compression. This means that the press pressed on the surface of a 5×5 cm granite sample with a force equivalent to 41 tons!!! And only under such a colossal load did the granite samples collapse.

Compression test after 56 freeze-thaw cycles

In accordance with EN 1926, samples of Rosso Santiago granite, 50x50x50 mm in size, are initially frozen – thawed 56 times (according to EN 12371 test rules). Then tests are carried out on a hydraulic press. This testing showed that our red granite after 56 freeze-thaw cycles has a maximum uniaxial compression load of 148 MPa. And this is 37 tons for an area of ​​5x5cm.

Determination of flexural strength

The tests were carried out in accordance with EN 12372. For this, 10 sawn samples of Ukrainian red-black granite with a size of 300x50x50 mm were taken. The tests were carried out using the concentrated load method. The average value of the bending stress turned out to be 18 MPa. In this case, the standard deviation of the obtained values was 0.4 MPa. The minimum value of the breaking pressure on 10 samples was 16.9 MPa.

Flexural strength after 56 freeze-thaw cycles

This testing was also carried out with samples measuring 300x50x50 mm. In accordance with EN 12371. Ten test stone samples are initially frozen and then thawed 56 times. Then, according to the rules of the EN 12372 standard, tests are carried out for the susceptibility to bending loads. These tests showed that for Kapustinsky granite, after exposure to 56 cycles of freezing and thawing, the average ultimate breaking pressure for bending is 16.1 MPa. In this case, the average deviation of values for 10 samples was 0.5 MPa.

Frost resistance testing

Determination of frost resistance of Rosso Santiago granite was carried out on the same 10 samples, format 300x50x50. All test procedures were carried out in accordance with EN 12371 test A. The frost resistance index indicates how much the strength and visual qualities of the stone deteriorate after 56 cycles of freezing and subsequent thawing, after soaking the samples in water.

As shown by two previous tests, after passing 56 cycles of frost testing, the ultimate bending strength index decreased from 18 MPa to 16.1 MPa. This means that the ultimate bending strength decreased by 10.6%. The average weight loss for ten samples was 0.9 grams. Let’s take into account that the initial weight of each sample of Kapustinsky granite was: 0.3×0.05×0.05×2700 = 2025 grams. Then the average weight loss after cold testing was: 0.9/2025 = 0.044%.

Petrographic analysis

For facing stone – granite, such an analysis is carried out in accordance with the EN 12407 standard. It showed the presence of characteristic high-strength minerals in the composition of granite from the Kapustinsky quarry. The results of the microstructure analysis are presented in the table:

For facing stone – granite, such an analysis is carried out in accordance with the EN 12407 standard. It showed the presence of characteristic high-strength minerals in the composition of granite from the Kapustinsky quarry. The results of the microstructure analysis are presented in the table:

Minerals / Crystals Main Components	Volume %
Quartz	18
Plagioclase	24
Microcline	50
Biotite	7
Other impurities	1

Answers to frequently asked questions