The parent rock for quartzite is quartz-rich sandstone. As sandstone becomes deeply buried, rising temperature will fuse the quartz grains together forming the extremely hard and weather-resistant rock quartzite. Like marble, quartzite comes in many colors, but when pure it is light-colored. Quartzite tends to have a sugary appearance, and when broken the fractures cut through the sand grains, not around them as with a sandstone.
Physical Properties of Quartzite
Physically, they are very Hard, Compact, Fine grained, equi-granular homogeneous rocks of metamorphic nature (Quartzite).
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 Quartzite
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%.
Uses of Quartzite
Usually dyed to some pleasing color -- has been tumbled or otherwise fashioned into decorative items.
Quartzite is the raw material for the glass and ceramics industries
Colour of Quartzite
White
Grey
Reddish
Texture of Quartzite
Medium-grained; usually of a granoblastic texture
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The parent rock for quartzite is quartz-rich sandstone. As sandstone becomes deeply buried, rising temperature will fuse the quartz grains together forming the extremely hard and weather-resistant rock quartzite. Like marble, quartzite comes in many colors, but when pure it is light-colored. Quartzite tends to have a sugary appearance, and when broken the fractures cut through the sand grains, not around them as with a sandstone.
Physical Properties of Quartzite
Physically, they are very Hard, Compact, Fine grained, equi-granular homogeneous rocks of metamorphic nature (Quartzite).
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 Quartzite
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%.
Uses of Quartzite
Usually dyed to some pleasing color -- has been tumbled or otherwise fashioned into decorative items.
Quartzite is the raw material for the glass and ceramics industries
Colour of Quartzite
White
Grey
Reddish
Texture of Quartzite
Medium-grained; usually of a granoblastic texture
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------