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Typical plutonic rocks include granite (e.g. Sardo Bianco) and gabbro (e.g. Nero Impala) as well as the acid-sensitive Azul da Bahia. In contrast to plutonic rocks, volcanic rocks may be highly porous. Typical volcanic rocks include basalt, trachyte and porphyry. Sedimentary rocks may be created either by erosion and transport from existing rocks by wind and water or by the chemical or biological precipitation of lime from bodies of water. Limestones are a special case in the group of sedimentary rocks as they contain vegetable and animal matter as well as free lime and are therefore prone to discoloration and efflorescence. Typical limestones include "Jura marble" and Solnhofen tiles. In addition to the limestones, sandstones and sandy shale also play an important role. As regards adhesion, there are few problems with laying sedimentary stones, as they are relatively porous. Metamorphic rocks are the third group of natural stones. As the name implies, these rocks have undergone a process of metamorphosis or transformation from their original composition to another. Their origin is due to the lowering of original rock formations to regions deep under the earth's surface, where they were exposed to high pressures and temperatures for millions of years. In this way, limestone was transformed into marble, sandstone into quartzite and granite into gneiss, Typical brands include Bianco Carrara (marble), Silver Cloud (gneiss) and Kashmir White (granulite). The diagram below summarizes the main parameters of natural stones and gives an overview of some of their key laying properties.
Bianco Sardo (plutonic, granite) The minerals feldspar, quartz and mica are clearly visible. Traces of minerals containing iron (biotite) may lead to a yellow discoloration.
Azul da Bahia (plutonic, foyaite) An extremely expensive natural stone (> 500 /m2) which is something of a prima donna. The blue colour is produced by the mineral sodalite and can be irreversibly destroyed by exposure to vinegar or lemon-juice.
Sedimentary
Limestones High No Possible High Possible Others High No High Possible No
Metamorphic
Marble Medium No Possible Possible High Others Medium Yes Possible No No
Water absorption Adhesion risk Properties Discoloration risk Efflorescence risk Translucency risk
Porphyry (volcanic, rhyolite) Porphyry often contains glass veins which function as separating layers and natural break points. This stone is extremely hard and very difficult to machine. A very sturdy stone that is mainly marketed as paving stones or flagstones.
Jura Grey (sedimentary, limestone) Limestones have formed over more than 100 million years by the precipitation of lime from the sea. There is a severe risk of discoloration and efflorescent as limestone often features inclusions of vegetable and animal matter as well as free lime. Limestones are highly sensitive to acid cleaning agents.
Bianco Carrara (metamorphic, marble) The king of marbles. An almost completely pure white natural stone with "quartzite" (really graphite) veins. These veins represent slip locations and possible break points. Small holes (taroli) are unavoidable.
Multicolor (metamorphic, migmatite) The name is appropriate. The structuring graphically demonstrates the severe forces involved in the transformation process. Each tile is unique, which makes it impossible to form a pattern.
3.2 Slate
Slate is a natural product with natural colour differences and a variety of surface structures. It was created about 400 million years ago from sediments of extremely fine clay sludge on the seabed, followed by the formation of mountain ranges at high pressures and temperatures. Mica slate, which has a silvery sheen, has an especially attractive appearance. The metallic effect is the result of fine particles of muscovite, positioned mainly in the cleavage surfaces. Depending on the amount of organic material in the original clay, oil slate sheets with soapy, water-repellent cleavage surfaces may be created. Depending on their origin, slate slabs may be subject to water absorption from the back, resulting in severe deformation. Oil slate tiles can only be laid reliably if the asphalt or oil is first removed from the back of the tiles using acetone and polymer-modified, rapid-curing mortars are used.
5. Summary
For the proper laying of natural stone and engineered stone tiles, mortar and grout with special cements, a low water-cement ratio and appropriate water-retaining properties must be used. As a general principle, excess water in the mortar must be avoided and laying temperatures from 15 to 25C are recommended. This reduces the exposure of the tiles to free alkaline and water, which may have a detrimental effect. As a result, deformation, voids, discoloration, staining and efflorescence are avoided. Before starting with the laying work, tilers must consider the points listed in the table below:
Parameter Porosity Deformation Potential problem Poor adhesion if porosity is too low Loss of adhesion during mortar curing phase as a result of concave arching Visibility of mortar bars or lumps Coloured impurities in the water used for the water appear on the stone surface Free lime is transferred to the surface of the stone by the mortar water Voids caused by waterrepellent oils, concave arching Concave arching, saponification of the binding agent Irreversible surface marking by rapid water absorption Stones at risk Plutonic and engineered stones Engineered stones, serpentinite, thin slate tiles Thin light-coloured tiles such as Carrara marble Sedimentary stones, natural stones containing iron Limestone, marble Solution Rapid-curing polymer-modified mortar Rapid-curing mortar Laying temperature 15 to 25 C Reaction resin adhesive White mortar Scratch coating on back of tile Laying without voids Rapid-curing mortar
Translucency
Discoloration
Efflorescence
Slate
Engineered stones
Padang granite
Clean with acetone before laying if necessary Rapid-curing highly polymermodified mortar Agglo marble, Agglo Very rapid-curing polymer-modified slabs, engineered stone mortar Reaction resin adhesive e.g. Padang G633, thin Very rapid-curing mortar slabs Laying temperature 15 to 25 C No excess water in mortar Oil slate, asphalt slate
Thin bed PCI Carraflex PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carralight PCI Carraflex PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carralight
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraferm
Padang granite)1
PCI Flexmrtel Schnell PCI Carrament grey PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carraflex PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carralight PCI Carraflex PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carralight PCI Carraflex PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carralight
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraflex PCI Flexmrtel Schnell PCI Carrament grey PCI Durapox NT)3 )3 PCI Collastic PCI Carraflex PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carralight PCI Carraflex PCI Carraflott NT PCI Carralight PCI Flexmrtel Schnell PCI Carraflott NT PCI Durapox NT)3 PCI Carrament grey/white
PCI Carrafug)4 PCI Flexfug)5 PCI Rapidfug PCI Carrafug)4 PCI Flexfug)5 PCI Rapidfug PCI Carrafug)4 PCI Flexfug)5 PCI Rapidfug PCI Carrafug)4 PCI Flexfug)5 PCI Rapidfug
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraflott NT as bonding slurry PCI Novoment M1/Z1 in combination with PCI Carraflott NT as bonding slurry
PCI Carraferm
PCI Carraferm
Laying temperature 15 to 25C; no excess water in mortar See also translucent stones For strongly deforming natural and engineered stones, e.g. with Verdi Alpi inclusions )4 Not suitable for grinding )5 Only for polished natural stones
Anhydrite floated screeds, cement-based screeds, gypsum plaster and concrete substrates must be primed with PCI Gisogrund or PCI Gisogrund Rapid prior to laying. Prior to laying on old ceramic or natural stone surfaces, the substrate should be prepared using PCI Gisogrund 303. More detailed information on special substrates and natural stones is given in our natural stone brochure (No. 2152). For further advice, please contact the PCI Technical Service department.
PCI Augsburg GmbH Piccardstr. 11 86159 Augsburg P.O.B. 10 22 47 86012 Augsburg Germany Phone 0049 (0) 821/59 01-0 Fax 0049 (0) 821/59 01-390 www.pci-augsburg.de
The specifications in this issue of Our Advice! meet the latest state of technical knowledge. Subject to technical alterations. Edition: June 2010