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Flint and Chert


Chert and Flint


Definition

Definition
Flint is a hard type of sedimentary rock that produces a small piece of burning material when hit by steel   
Chert is a hard, dark, opaque sedimentary rock which is composed of silica with an amorphous fine-grained texture   

History
  
  

Discoverer
Unknown   
Unknown   

Etymology
From Old English flint - a type of rock mainly known for high hardness and for giving off sparks when struck   
From flint-like quartz, 1670s, of unknown origin- a local term, which has been taken into geological use   

Class
Sedimentary Rocks   
Sedimentary Rocks   

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock   
Durable Rock, Hard Rock   

Family
  
  

Group
Not Applicable   
Not Applicable   

Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock   

Texture

Texture
Banded, Rough   
Banded, Rough   

Color
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White   
Black, Brown, Green, Grey, Red, White   

Maintenance
Less   
Less   

Durability
Durable   
Durable   

Water Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Scratch Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Stain Resistant
Yes   
Yes   

Wind Resistant
Yes   
No   

Acid Resistant
No   
Yes   

Appearance
Glassy or Pearly   
Glassy or Pearly   

Uses

Architecture
  
  

Interior Uses
Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration   
Decorative Aggregates, Homes   

Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings, Paving Stone   
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Office Buildings   

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing   
Curbing   

Industry
  
  

Construction Industry
Arrowheads, Cutting Tool, Spear Points   
Arrowheads, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, Spear Points   

Medical Industry
Not Yet Used   
Not Yet Used   

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts   
Artifacts, Monuments   

Other Uses
  
  

Commercial Uses
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Manufacture of tools, Metallurgical Flux, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms   
Creating Artwork, Gemstone, In fire-starting tools, Jewelry, To ignite fire, Used in flintlock firearms   

Types

Types
Not Available   
Flint, Jasper, Radiolarite, Common Chert, Chalcedony, Agate, Onyx, Opal, Magadi-type Chert, Porcelanite, Siliceous Sinter   

Features
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate   
Clasts are smooth to touch, Easily splits into thin plates, Has High structural resistance against erosion and climate   

Archaeological Significance
  
  

Monuments
Not Yet Used   
Used   

Famous Monuments
Not Applicable   
Data Not Available   

Sculpture
Not Yet Used   
Not Yet Used   

Famous Sculptures
Not Applicable   
Not Applicable   

Pictographs
Not Used   
Not Used   

Petroglyphs
Not Used   
Not Used   

Figurines
Not Yet Used   
Not Yet Used   

Fossils
Present   
Present   

Formation

Formation
Flint is formed by the decomposition and compaction of various organisms such as sponges and diatoms under the water.   
Chert forms when microcrystals of silicon dioxide grow within soft sediments that become limestone or chalk. The chert formation can be either of chemical or biological origin.   

Composition
  
  

Mineral Content
Silicon   
Quartz, Silicon   

Compound Content
Silicon Dioxide   
Silicon Dioxide   

Transformation
  
  

Metamorphism
No   
No   

Types of Metamorphism
Not Applicable   
Not Applicable   

Weathering
No   
No   

Types of Weathering
Not Applicable   
Not Applicable   

Erosion
Yes   
Yes   

Types of Erosion
Chemical Erosion, Coastal Erosion, Water Erosion   
Chemical Erosion   

Properties

Physical Properties
  
  

Hardness
7   
6.5-7   

Grain Size
Very fine-grained   
Very fine-grained   

Fracture
Conchoidal   
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal   

Streak
White   
White   

Porosity
Highly Porous   
Highly Porous   

Luster
Vitreous   
Waxy and Dull   

Compressive Strength
450.00 N/mm2   
1
450.00 N/mm2   
1

Cleavage
Non-Existent   
Non-Existent   

Toughness
1.5   
1.5   

Specific Gravity
2.5-2.8   
2.5-2.8   

Transparency
Translucent to Opaque   
Translucent to Opaque   

Density
2.7-2.71 g/cm3   
2.7 g/cm3   

Thermal Properties
  
  

Specific Heat Capacity
0.74 kJ/Kg K   
19
0.74 kJ/Kg K   
19

Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant   
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant   

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents
  
  

Asia
Azerbaijan, China, Russia   
China, India, Iran, Japan, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam   

Africa
Not Yet Found   
Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, Tanzania   

Europe
Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom   
Austria, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom   

Others
Not Yet Found   
Greenland, Mid-Atlantic Ridge   

Deposits in Western Continents
  
  

North America
USA   
Canada, Mexico, USA   

South America
Bolivia   
Bolivia, Brazil   

Deposits in Oceania Continent
  
  

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

Summary >>
<< Reserves

All about Flint and Chert Properties

Know all about Flint and Chert properties here. All properties of rocks are important as they define the type of rock and its application. Flint and Chert belong to Sedimentary Rocks.Texture of Flint is Banded, Rough whereas that of Chert is Banded, Rough. Flint appears Glassy or Pearly and Chert appears Glassy or Pearly. The luster of Flint is vitreous while that of Chert is waxy and dull. Flint and Chert are available in black, brown, green, grey, red, white colors. The commercial uses of Flint and Chert are creating artwork, gemstone, in fire-starting tools, manufacture of tools, metallurgical flux, jewelry, to ignite fire, used in flintlock firearms.

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