Argillite

Claystone

Argillite and Claystone

Argillite

Claystone

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1 Definition

1.1 Definition

Argillites are highly compact sedimentary or slightly metamorphosed rocks that consist largely or wholly of particles of clay or silt but lack the fissility of shale or the cleavage characteristic of slate

Claystone is a fine-grained, dark gray to pink sedimentary rock which mainly consists of compacted and hardened clay

1.2 History

1.2.1 Origin

Unknown

1.2.2 Discoverer

Unknown

1.3 Etymology

From Latin Argilla (clay) and -ite in English which became agrilla+ -ite = Argillite

From English clay and stone as the rock contains more amount of clay

1.4 Class

Sedimentary Rocks

1.4.1 Sub-Class

Durable Rock, Soft Rock

Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock

1.5 Family

1.5.1 Group

Not Applicable

1.6 Other Categories

Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

2 Texture

2.1 Texture

Clastic, Polished

Clastic

2.2 Color

Dark Grey to Black, Pink, Red, White

Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Grey, Orange, Red, White, Yellow

2.3 Maintenance

Less

2.4 Durability

Durable

2.4.1 Water Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.2 Scratch Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.3 Stain Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.4 Wind Resistant

✔ ✘

2.4.5 Acid Resistant

✔ ✘

2.5 Appearance

Rough and Dull

3 Uses

3.1 Architecture

3.1.1 Interior Uses

Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration

Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Homes, Interior Decoration

3.1.2 Exterior Uses

As Building Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings

As Facing Stone, Roof Tiles

3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses

Curbing, Whetstones

Curbing

3.2 Industry

3.2.1 Construction Industry

Used for flooring, stair treads, borders and window sills.

As a Sintering Agent in Steel Industry to process Iron Ore, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Raw material for the manufacture of mortar

3.2.2 Medical Industry

Not Yet Used

3.3 Antiquity Uses

Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture

Artifacts, Sculpture, Small Figurines

3.4 Other Uses

3.4.1 Commercial Uses

Fire resistant, Used to manufracture paperweights and bookends

Pottery

4 Types

4.1 Types

Not Available

4.2 Features

Is one of the oldest rock

Available in Lots of Colors and Patterns, Smooth to touch, Very fine grained rock

4.3 Archaeological Significance

4.3.1 Monuments

Used

Not Yet Used

4.3.2 Famous Monuments

Data Not Available

Not Applicable

4.3.3 Sculpture

Used

4.3.4 Famous Sculptures

Data Not Available

4.3.5 Pictographs

Used

4.3.6 Petroglyphs

Used

4.3.7 Figurines

Used

4.4 Fossils

Present

5 Formation

5.1 Formation

An argillite is a fine-grained sedimentary rock mainly composed of clay particles which forms from lithified muds which contain variable amounts of silt-sized particles.

Claystone is generally quite soft, but can be hard and brittle. It forms due to weathering of mudstone.

5.2 Composition

5.2.1 Mineral Content

Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Micas, Muscovite or Illite, Plagioclase, Pyrite, Quartz

5.2.2 Compound Content

Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide

Aluminium Oxide, Ca, NaCl, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Silicon Dioxide

5.3 Transformation

5.3.1 Metamorphism

✔ ✘

5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism

Not Applicable

5.3.3 Weathering

✔ ✘

5.3.4 Types of Weathering

Biological Weathering

Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

5.3.5 Erosion

✔ ✘

5.3.6 Types of Erosion

Chemical Erosion

Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion

6 Properties

6.1 Physical Properties

6.1.1 Hardness

2-33.5-4

1 7

6.1.2 Grain Size

Fine Grained

6.1.3 Fracture

Conchoidal to Uneven

Not Available

6.1.4 Streak

White to Grey

White

6.1.5 Porosity

Highly Porous

Very Less Porous

6.1.6 Luster

Waxy and Dull

Dull

6.1.7 Compressive Strength

NANA

0.15 450

6.1.8 Cleavage

Slaty

Perfect

6.1.9 Toughness

2.6

6.1.10 Specific Gravity

2.56-2.680

0 8.4

6.1.11 Transparency

Opaque

6.1.12 Density

2.54-2.66 g/cm³2-2.9 g/cm³

0 1400

6.2 Thermal Properties

6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity

0.87 kJ/Kg K0.92 kJ/Kg K

0.14 3.2

6.2.2 Resistance

Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant

7 Reserves

7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents

7.1.1 Asia

Bangladesh, China, India, Russia

7.1.2 Africa

Ethiopia, Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania

7.1.3 Europe

Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Romania, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland

7.1.4 Others

Not Yet Found

7.2 Deposits in Western Continents

7.2.1 North America

USA

Canada, Panama, USA

7.2.2 South America

Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela

7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent

7.3.1 Australia

New South Wales, New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia

All about Argillite and Claystone Properties

Know all about Argillite and Claystone properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Argillite and Claystone belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Argillite is Clastic, Polished whereas that of Claystone is Clastic. Argillite appears Rough and Dull and Claystone appears Rough and Dull. The luster of Argillite is waxy and dull while that of Claystone is dull. Argillite is available in dark grey to black, pink, red, white colors whereas Claystone is available in black, blue, brown, green, grey, orange, red, white, yellow colors. The commercial uses of Argillite are fire resistant, used to manufracture paperweights and bookends and that of Claystone are pottery.