1 Definition
1.1 Definition
Slate is a fine-grained, foliated, homogeneous metamorphic rock derived from an original shale-type sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash through low-grade regional metamorphism
1.2 History
1.2.1 Origin
England
1.2.2 Discoverer
Unknown
1.3 Etymology
From Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat)
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
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
Foliated
2.2 Color
Black, Brown, Buff, Green, Light to Dark Grey, Purple, Red, Shades of Blue
2.3 Maintenance
Less
2.4 Durability
Durable
2.4.1 Water Resistant
✔
✘
81% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.2 Scratch Resistant
✔
✘
65% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.3 Stain Resistant
✔
✘
42% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.4 Wind Resistant
✔
✘
19% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.4.5 Acid Resistant
✔
✘
15% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
2.5 Appearance
Dull
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens, Stair Treads
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
As Dimension Stone
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Blackboards, Commemorative Tablets, Laboratory bench tops, Standard material for the bed of Billiard table, Standard material for the beds of Pool and Snooker table, Tombstones, Used in aquariums, Writing Slates
4 Types
4.1 Types
Not Available
4.2 Features
Easily splits into thin plates, Surfaces are often shiny, Very fine grained rock
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Data Not Available
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
Absent
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Slate is a low grade metamorphic rock that is generally formed by metamorphosis of mudstone or shale, under relatively low pressure and temperature conditions.
5.2 Composition
5.2.1 Mineral Content
Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Graphite, Hematite, Kaolinite, Magnetite, Pyrite, Tourmaline, Zircon
5.2.2 Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
✔
✘
50% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
✔
✘
65% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
✔
✘
77% - Metamorphic Rocks Rocks have it !
▶
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
6.1.2 Grain Size
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Splintery
6.1.4 Streak
Light to dark brown
6.1.5 Porosity
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Dull
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
30.00 N/mm2
Rank: 30 (Overall) ▶
0.15
450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Slaty
6.1.9 Toughness
1.2
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
6.1.11 Transparency
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.76 kJ/Kg K
Rank: 17 (Overall) ▶
0.14
3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Turkey
7.1.2 Africa
Not Yet Found
7.1.3 Europe
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Arctic
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
USA
7.2.2 South America
Brazil
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Not Yet Found