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Definition

Definition
Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock that forms by the metamorphism of pure quartz Sandstone

History

Origin
-

Discoverer
Unknown

Etymology
From quartz + -ite

Class
Metamorphic Rocks

Sub-Class
Durable Rock, Hard Rock

Family

Group
-

Other Categories
Medium Grained Rock, Opaque Rock

Texture

Texture
Foliated, Granular

Color
Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Light Grey, Purple, White, Yellow

Maintenance
Less

Durability
Durable

Water Resistant
Yes

Scratch Resistant
Yes

Stain Resistant
Yes

Wind Resistant
Yes

Acid Resistant
Yes

Appearance
Lustrous

Uses

Architecture

Interior Uses
Countertops, Decorative Aggregates, Flooring, Homes

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

Other Architectural Uses
Curbing

Industry

Construction Industry
Arrowheads, As Dimension Stone, Cement Manufacture, Construction Aggregate, Cutting Tool, for Road Aggregate, Making natural cement, Production of Glass and Ceramics, Rail Track Ballast, Roadstone

Medical Industry
-

Antiquity Uses
Artifacts, Jewellery, Monuments, Sculpture

Other Uses

Commercial Uses
An Oil and Gas Reservoir, As armour rock for sea walls, Cemetery Markers, Commemorative Tablets, In aquifers, Laboratory bench tops, Petroleum reservoirs, Soil Conditioner, Source of Magnesia (MgO), Tombstones, Used in aquariums

Types

Types
Orthoquartzite and Metaquartzite

Features
Generally rough to touch, Is one of the oldest rock

Archaeological Significance

Monuments
-

Famous Monuments
-

Sculpture
-

Famous Sculptures
-

Pictographs
-

Petroglyphs
-

Figurines
-

Fossils
Absent

Formation

Formation
Quartzite forms from sandstone and the mineral quartz being put under extreme heat and pressure.

Composition

Mineral Content
Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Kyanite, Magnetite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz

Compound Content
Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide

Transformation

Metamorphism
Yes

Types of Metamorphism
Burial Metamorphism, Cataclastic Metamorphism, Hydrothermal Metamorphism, Regional Metamorphism

Weathering
Yes

Types of Weathering
Biological Weathering, Chemical Weathering, Mechanical Weathering

Erosion
Yes

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

Properties

Physical Properties

Hardness
6-7

Grain Size
Medium Grained

Fracture
Uneven, Splintery or Conchoidal

Streak
White

Porosity
Less Porous

Luster
Vitreous

Compressive Strength
115.00 N/mm2 27

Cleavage
Indiscernible

Toughness
1.9

Specific Gravity
2.6-2.8

Transparency
Transparent to Translucent

Density
2.32-2.42 g/cm3

Thermal Properties

Specific Heat Capacity
0.75 kJ/Kg K 20

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

Reserves

Deposits in Eastern Continents

Asia
China, India, Israel, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey

Africa
Ethiopia, Morocco, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Europe
England, Italy, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Others
Greenland

Deposits in Western Continents

North America
Bahamas, Canada, USA

South America
Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela

Deposits in Oceania Continent

Australia
New Zealand, Queensland, Western Australia

Summary >>
<< Reserves

Metamorphic Rocks

Learn more about Properties of Quartzite

What is Quartzite? In this section, we will learn more about properties of Quartzite i.e. physical and thermal properties. Physical properties of Quartzite include Color, Streak, Hardness, Structure, Cleavage, Fracture, Luster, Specific Gravity etc. The strength of Quartzite is 115.00 N/mm2. Streak of Quartzite is white while its cleavage is indiscernible. Luster of Quartzite is vitreous and its fracture is uneven, splintery or conchoidal. Quartzite is transparent to translucent in nature. Know all about Quartzite, What is Quartzite, its composition, features, facts and reserves in next sections.

Know about Composition of Quartzite

What is Quartzite composed of? Get to know about composition of Quartzite here. Quartzite definition gives information about the Formation of Quartzite and its composition.The composition of Quartzite can be further divided into mineral and compound content. The mineral content of Quartzite rock includes Chlorite, Epidote, Hematite, Kyanite, Magnetite, Muscovite or Illite, Quartz and The compound content of Quartzite rock includes Aluminium Oxide, CaO, Iron(III) Oxide, MgO, Sodium Oxide, Silicon Dioxide. Almost all rocks undergo transformation process. Know all about Quartzite rock in next section.

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