Glossary of Terms

Abrasion resistance refers to the ability of a material or surface to withstand wear, erosion, or damage caused by repeated rubbing, scraping, or frictional forces. It is a crucial property in various industrial, engineering, and consumer applications where the material is subject to continuous contact with abrasive substances or surfaces over time. The degree of abrasion resistance is determined by the material's inherent hardness, toughness, and resistance to wear and tear. Explanation: Materials or products that exhibit high abrasion resistance can endure prolonged use without significant degradation or loss of performance, ensuring their longevity and reliability in challenging environments. This property is particularly relevant in applications such as manufacturing machinery components, construction materials, protective coatings, automotive parts, and consumer products like footwear and textiles. Abrasion resistance is typically evaluated through standardized tests that simulate abrasive conditions, providing a quantitative measurement of the material's durability and wear resistance. In summary, abrasion resistance is a critical characteristic of materials that encounter abrasive forces, offering enhanced performance, longevity, and cost-effectiveness in various industrial and everyday scenarios.

A flat and non-reflective finish. An abrasive finish refers to a type of surface treatment applied to floors and various other surfaces to create a rugged and textured appearance. It involves the use of abrasive materials, such as sandpaper or abrasive pads, to mechanically abrade the surface, removing a thin layer of the material and exposing the underlying texture. The process results in a rougher surface, enhancing slip resistance and providing an appealing tactile feel. Abrasive finishes are commonly used in applications where slip resistance is crucial, such as high-traffic areas, outdoor spaces, and industrial environments. They are particularly advantageous in locations prone to wet or hazardous conditions, as they can help minimize the risk of slips and falls. The level of coarseness in the abrasive finish can be varied, offering different degrees of texture to suit specific requirements and preferences. Additionally, abrasive finishes can be applied to a wide range of materials, including concrete, stone, wood, and certain types of tiles, making them a versatile choice for floor and surface treatments. Proper maintenance and periodic reapplication may be necessary to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of the abrasive finish.

Refers to the wearing qualities of stone for floors, stair treads and similar uses subjected to abrasion by foot traffic.

Percentage of moisture absorption by weight. The process by which a liquid is taken into (soaked up by) another substance and held there

The supporting wall or pier that receives the thrust of an arch; a solid stone springer at the lowest point of an arch, vault or beam

A material used to speed the setting of mortar, epoxy, and polyester resins

A treatment applied to the face of a stone to achieve a texture or finish that is distressed. Chemical treatments are more effective when applied to calcareous stones than to siliceous stone types. Recently, the use of acid and other types of chemical treatments has lessened due to environmental and disposal concerns. Chemical processes have been replaced by mechanical methods for the texturing of the stone face

Clear water-based repellents which form a film. The acrylic resins come from the polymerization of derivatives of acrylic acids, including esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrite, and their copolymers. Acrylics resins vary from hard brittle solids, to fibrous elastomeric structures to viscous liquids, depending on the monomer used and the method of polymerization

Resins resulting from the polymerization of derivatives of acrylic acids including esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylonitrite, and their copolymers. They can be carried in a water or solvent solution and they are film-forming materials

Ingredients of a coating composition which are deposited following co-reaction or reaction with the substrate. Active solids are usually measured as a weight percent of the total

Stone veneer secured and supported by adhesion of an approved bonding material over an approved backing

A volcanic quartz-based stone containing a variety of colored aggregates and pumice in a quartz matrix. Quarried in Mexico and available in several colors

A variegated variety or quartz allowing colored bands or other markings (clouded, moss-like, etc.)

A man-made product fabricated to look like quarried stone. Usually composed of stone chips or fragments embedded in a matrix of mortar or thermosetting resins.

Materials that are added to mortar or grout at time of mixing to impart special properties to the mortar or grout; quantities of loose fragments of rock or mineral

A fine grained, translucent variety of gypsum, generally white in color. May be cut and carved easily with a knife or saw. The term is often incorrectly applied to fine-grained marble

Any project involving change of, or addition to, an existing building

Aluminum oxide

Complex salt or soap of aluminum and stearic acid. Used as a flattering and antisettling agent for pigments in paint and varnish, water repellents and cement additives

Temperature of the surrounding environment

A hydrate which has given up all its previously held water molecules

An usually dark-colored igneous rock consisting mostly or entirely of calcic plagioclase

A finish that replicates rusticated or distressed textures. Produced through mechanical or chemical means to simulate the naturally occurring effects of the aging process

Top stone of gable, spire, or pediment

A trim piece under a projecting stone top

A translucent white mineral found in calcium carbonate; a mineral with the same chemical formula of calcite, but the shape of the calcium carbonate crystals are different (orthorhombic). It can be found as a minority component of certain limestones and marbles. Most common form of Aragonite is Nacre (Mother of Pearl) and Mexican Marble-Onyx

Stone masonry in compression, using arch and vault

A compact metamorphic rock composed mainly of clay or shale, and aluminum silicate minerals. Similar to slate in appearance and splitting properties, but usually much harder

Hydrocarbon solvents comprised of organic compounds which contain an unsaturated ring of carbon atoms, including benzene, naphthalene and their derivatives

The angle, corner, or edge produced by the meeting of two surfaces; the edge of external angle. A natural or applied line on the stone from which all the leveling and plumbing is measured.ARTIFICIAL MARBLE A man-made product that may look like natural quarried marble, sometimes composed of thermosetting resins as a matrix and fillers

A substitute for dimension stone made by casting selected aggregates and cement in molds