You probably already know that marbles offer a first-class surfacing material known for its strength, aesthetics, ability to be polished and resistance to most weathering. Marble comes in a variety of textures depending on the composition and how it is formed.
Marble is a type of metamorphic rock produced from Limestone, Dolomite etc. by pressure and heat in the earth’s crust due to geological processes. This process is known as recrystallization, in which the limestone is altered to form coarse-grained particles called calcite. The composition of the marble depends on the impurities that may be present in the limestone before the process of recrystallization.
For instance if silica is present then quartz, diopside or fosterite will be formed in the calcite. If water is present then talc, serpentine may be formed. And if iron, alumina and silica are present then magnetite and hematite will be formed.
Chemical composition:
The precise chemical composition of marble depends on the location and type of impurities present in the limestone during recrystallization. Typically marble is composed of the following major constituents; Lime (CaO), Silica (SiO2), Alumina (Al2O3), Oxides like Na and Mg and Carbonates like MgCO3.
In addition to the major constituents, marbles also have different mineral impurities of different percentages. These consist of Talc, Fosterite, Chert, Mircroline, Garnet, Hematite, etc. to name a few.
Travertine is an Italian marble formed in the hot springs and or limestone caves. The key characteristics of these stones are the holes within the stones which are caused by the carbon dioxide evasion. The stone is usually white in color when pure and fine but often it is brown or yellow due to impurities.
It is one of the most famous verities of Italian marble. It is off-white based having dark or light grey shading. It does not require chemical fortification, no pinholes and no color change. It is famous for flooring use because of its long-lasting polish.
It is one of the finest Italian marble which is recognized by beige coloured background, thin grain and occasional darker coloured vein and sites of calcite. It is famous for its high lustre and visual appeal.
Examples of coloured marbles:
Breccia: dark coloured marble (usually red and brown in color)
The marble composition can be altered due to various external factors one of them being the Weather; the forces of nature like snow, rain, wind and atmospheric pollutants may produce a decaying effect on the look and structural properties of marble. These agents in combination with other agents can increase the deterioration of the marble. Like rain water in combination with atmospheric gases can result in the dissolution of the marble, resulting in salt moment within the structure. Also sudden change in temperature can cause stresses due to the differential in expansion.
But with proper care these problems can be avoided.
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