Marble Hardness Scale

The mohs scale of mineral hardness m oʊ z is a qualitative ordinal scale characterizing scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material.

Marble hardness scale.

Rocks are rated on the on the moh s hardness scale which rates the rocks on the scale from 1 to 10. Because granite is between a 6 and 7 on the mohs scale it would be able to scratch other types of stone that have lower ratings such as marble. The janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0 444 steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter. Granite on the mohs scale.

As a result marble is less porous and slightly stronger than limestone but still less durable than granite. Rocks with hardness 1 3 are soft rocks from 3 6 are medium hardness rocks and 6 10 are hard rocks. On average it is 6 5. An example of the hardness of a granite countertop can be seen in the fact that a knife blade will not scratch the surface.

The translucence of marble makes it especially attractive for many types of sculptures. The mohs hardness scale only takes into consideration the strength of a single mass element or the purest form of each mineral. Depending on the limestone and the mineral combination within the marble most marble rates from three to five on the mohs hardness scale. Streak is the color of rock when it is crushed or powdered.

This means that marble is less scratch resistant than granite. Falling down on the scale a little more are popular countertop options marble travertine and slate. Hardness is determined by the ability of one mineral to scratch another. In simple words soapstone is the softest material and diamond is the hardest material.

Each of these stones ranks at a 4 on the scale. The scale used in the table is pounds force. The softest countertop options on the mohs scale are limestone 3 and. While the mohs hardness scale is certainly a worthwhile resource to provide a general guideline it does not provide all of the information for a natural stone slab.

Being composed of calcite marble has a hardness of three on the mohs hardness scale. Created in 1812 by german geologist and mineralogist friedrich mohs it is one of several definitions of hardness in materials science some of which are more quantitative. Woods with a higher rating are harder than woods with a lower rating. You will have to be very careful not to scratch these surfaces albeit they are not the softest options on the scale.

Marble is limestone that has been compacted and heated over millions of years. The hardness of marble is 3 4 whereas its compressive strength is 115 00 n mm 2. When black granite is measured on the mohs scale it falls somewhere between 6 and 7. Marble has a mohs hardness scale rating between 3 4.

It can also be used for metal. For example a diamond can scratch granite while granite can scratch marble.