Mystique Split-Face Slate Tiles

MYSTIQUE SLATE

       Slate is a black, grey, green or multicolour hard clayey rock which easily exfoliates.

       It is called ardezie in Romanian, which comes from the name of the Ardes County in Ireland from where slate was first brought.

Technical characteristics:

Average bulk density:           2.6 – 2.8 t/m3

Water absorption capacity:  0.1 – 0.6 %

Compressive strength:         140-210 N/mm2

MOHS hardness:                   6-7

Porosity:                                 0.5-25 N/mm2

      Slate is highly recommended for outdoor areas: rustic decorative areas, alleys, roofs, wall cladding, monuments, fountains, terraces, pools, countertops for billiard or snooker tables. Compared to other metamorphic rocks, slate may contain fossils.

       In the 18th and 19th century, slate was used for writing boards in schools. Later, due to its fire-retardant and electricity insulation properties, slate was used at the beginning of the 20th century to manufacture electric panels and relays for large electric engines.

      The countries that have slate quarries are the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Norway, USA, Brazil. Slate deposits have been recently discovered in the Arctic region as well.