×

Soapstone
Soapstone

Slate
Slate



ADD
Compare
X
Soapstone
X
Slate

Soapstone vs Slate

Add ⊕
1 Definition
1.1 Definition
It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc
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
USA
England
1.2.2 Discoverer
Unknown
Unknown
1.3 Etymology
From 17th century, because of its greasy feel and use like a soap
From Old French esclate, from esclat (French éclat)
1.4 Class
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic Rocks
1.4.1 Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Soft Rock
Durable Rock, Medium Hardness Rock
1.5 Family
1.5.1 Group
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
1.6 Other Categories
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
Fine Grained Rock, Opaque Rock
2 Texture
2.1 Texture
Polished
Foliated
2.2 Color
Black, Black to Grey, Green, Grey
Black, Brown, Buff, Green, Light to Dark Grey, Purple, Red, Shades of Blue
2.3 Maintenance
Less
Less
2.4 Durability
Durable
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
Dull, Banded and Foilated
Dull
3 Uses
3.1 Architecture
3.1.1 Interior Uses
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Homes, Interior Decoration
Bathrooms, Decorative Aggregates, Entryways, Floor Tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior Decoration, Kitchens, Stair Treads
3.1.2 Exterior Uses
As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration
As Building Stone, As Facing Stone, Garden Decoration, Paving Stone
3.1.3 Other Architectural Uses
Curbing
Curbing
3.2 Industry
3.2.1 Construction Industry
Manufacture of Magnesium and Dolomite Refractories
As Dimension Stone
3.2.2 Medical Industry
Taken as a Supplement for Calcium or Magnesium
Not Yet Used
3.3 Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture
Artifacts, Monuments, Sculpture, Small Figurines
3.4 Other Uses
3.4.1 Commercial Uses
Cemetery Markers, Creating Artwork, Gemstone, Jewelry, Manufacture of Soap, Solvents, Dyes, Plastics and Fibres, Production of Lime, Source of Magnesia (MgO)
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
Not Available
4.2 Features
Host Rock for Lead
Easily splits into thin plates, Surfaces are often shiny, Very fine grained rock
4.3 Archaeological Significance
4.3.1 Monuments
Used
Used
4.3.2 Famous Monuments
Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Stonehenge in English county of Wiltshire
Data Not Available
4.3.3 Sculpture
Used
Used
4.3.4 Famous Sculptures
Data Not Available
Data Not Available
4.3.5 Pictographs
Used
Used
4.3.6 Petroglyphs
Used
Used
4.3.7 Figurines
Used
Used
4.4 Fossils
Absent
Absent
5 Formation
5.1 Formation
Soapstone is a talc-schist, which is a type of metamorphic rock and it is largely composed of the mineral talc and is thus rich inmagnesium.
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
Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz
Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Graphite, Hematite, Kaolinite, Magnetite, Pyrite, Tourmaline, Zircon
5.2.2 Compound Content
CaO, Mg, MgO
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, Potassium Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide, Titanium Dioxide
5.3 Transformation
5.3.1 Metamorphism
5.3.2 Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Contact Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Impact Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism
5.3.3 Weathering
5.3.4 Types of Weathering
Not Applicable
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering
5.3.5 Erosion
5.3.6 Types of Erosion
Not Applicable
Coastal Erosion, Glacier Erosion, Water Erosion, Wind Erosion
6 Properties
6.1 Physical Properties
6.1.1 Hardness
13-4
Coal
1 7
6.1.2 Grain Size
Fine Grained
Very fine-grained
6.1.3 Fracture
Conchoidal
Splintery
6.1.4 Streak
Black
Light to dark brown
6.1.5 Porosity
Less Porous
Less Porous
6.1.6 Luster
Greasy
Dull
6.1.7 Compressive Strength
225.00 N/mm230.00 N/mm2
Obsidian
0.15 450
6.1.8 Cleavage
Perfect
Slaty
6.1.9 Toughness
1
1.2
6.1.10 Specific Gravity
2.862.65-2.8
Granite
0 8.4
6.1.11 Transparency
Opaque
Opaque
6.1.12 Density
2.8-2.9 g/cm32.6-2.8 g/cm3
Granite
0 1400
6.2 Thermal Properties
6.2.1 Specific Heat Capacity
0.88 kJ/Kg K0.76 kJ/Kg K
Granulite
0.14 3.2
6.2.2 Resistance
Heat Resistant, Pressure Resistant
Heat Resistant, Impact Resistant, Pressure Resistant, Wear Resistant
7 Reserves
7.1 Deposits in Eastern Continents
7.1.1 Asia
China, India, Indonesia, Japan, North Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand
China, India, Turkey
7.1.2 Africa
Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Western Africa
Not Yet Found
7.1.3 Europe
Austria, England, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom
7.1.4 Others
Not Yet Found
Arctic
7.2 Deposits in Western Continents
7.2.1 North America
Canada, USA
USA
7.2.2 South America
Colombia
Brazil
7.3 Deposits in Oceania Continent
7.3.1 Australia
Central Australia, New Zealand, Queensland
Not Yet Found

Soapstone vs Slate Information

Earth’s outer layer is covered by rocks and these rocks have different physical and chemical properties. As two rocks are not same, it’s fun to compare them. You can also know more about Soapstone and Slate Reserves. It is a metamorphic magnesium rich rock because it is composed of the mineral talc. 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. These rocks are composed of many distinct minerals. The process of formation of rocks is different for various rocks. Rocks are quarried from many years for various purposes. You can check out Soapstone vs Slate information and Soapstone vs Slate characteristics in the upcoming sections.

Soapstone vs Slate Characteristics

Though some rocks look identical, they have certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. Characteristics of rocks include texture, appearance, color, fracture, streak, hardness etc. Soapstone vs Slate characteristics assist us to distinguish and recognize rocks. Also you can check about Properties of Soapstone and Properties of Slate. Learn more about Soapstone vs Slate in the next section. The interior uses of Soapstone include Bathrooms, Decorative aggregates, Homes and Interior decoration whereas the interior uses of Slate include Bathrooms, Decorative aggregates, Entryways, Floor tiles, Flooring, Homes, Hotels, Interior decoration, Kitchens and Stair treads. Due to some exceptional properties of Soapstone and Slate, they have various applications in construction industry. The uses of Soapstone in construction industry include Manufacture of magnesium and dolomite refractories and that of Slate include As dimension stone.

More about Soapstone and Slate

Here you can know more about Soapstone and Slate. The life cycle of a rock consists of formation of rock, composition of rock and transformation of rock. The composition of Soapstone and Slate consists of mineral content and compound content. The mineral content of Soapstone includes Albite, Apatite, Biotite, Calcite, Carbonate, Clay Minerals, Hornblende, Ilmenite, Micas, Plagioclase, Pyroxene, Quartz and mineral content of Slate includes Apatite, Biotite, Chlorite, Feldspar, Graphite, Hematite, Kaolinite, Magnetite, Pyrite, Tourmaline, Zircon. You can also check out the list of all Metamorphic Rocks. When we have to compare Soapstone vs Slate, the texture, color and appearance plays an important role in determining the type of rock. Soapstone is available in black, black to grey, green, grey colors whereas, Slate is available in black, brown, buff, green, light to dark grey, purple, red, shades of blue colors. Appearance of Soapstone is Dull, Banded and Foilated and that of Slate is Dull. Properties of rock is another aspect for Soapstone vs Slate. The hardness of Soapstone is 1 and that of Slate is 3-4. The types of Soapstone are Not Available whereas types of Slate are Not Available. Streak of rock is the color of powder produced when it is dragged across an unweathered surface. The streak of Soapstone is black while that of Slate is light to dark brown. The specific heat capacity of Soapstone is 0.88 kJ/Kg K and that of Slate is 0.76 kJ/Kg K. Depending on the properties like hardness, toughness, specific heat capacity, porosity etc., rocks are resistant to heat, wear, impact, etc.Soapstone is heat resistant, pressure resistant whereas Slate is heat resistant, impact resistant, pressure resistant, wear resistant.