Form · 12–40 mm
Aggregate-Based — indicative fig. C·04
Fire Not classifi… Not classifi…Embodied carbon Data pending Compressive 157-299 (dry); 203-274 (wet)MPa StructuralDesign life 15yr
Quartz composite benchtops/panels/slabs containing ?1% crystalline silica are prohibited in Australia from 1 July 2024 under the model WHS Regulations. Typical engineered stone contains very high silica levels (often ~93% or higher).
01 Physical
Density >=2.1g/cm3
Specific gravity >=2.1
Porosity <0.1%%
Water absorption <=0.05% by mass
Hardness 6.5-7.5Mohs
UV resistance Good - slight yellowing possible over 10+ years
Chemical resistance Excellent for pH 2-12, vulnerable to HF acid
pH tolerance pH 2-12
Surface roughness 0.1-0.8 μm Raµm
02 Mechanical
Tensile strength 8.5-16.5 MPaMPa
Compressive strength 157-299 (dry); 203-274 (wet)MPa
Flexural strength >35-40MPa
Shear strength 10-15 MPaMPa
Poisson's ratio 0.15-0.25
Impact resistance >4.9J
Creep resistance Excellent - minimal under sustained load
03 Thermal
Thermal conductivity <1W/m?K
Specific heat 750-850 J/(kg·K)J/kg·K
Thermal expansion <52x10^-6 /?C
04 Compliance & Fire First question
Combustibility class Not classified to AS 1530.1
Fire resistance level Not rated (surface tests only)
Ignition temp ~550°C°C
Flame spread index ASTM E84 Class A (FSI 0-25; SDI 0-450)
Smoke dev. index Not rated - produces toxic smoke
Heat release rate Not specified - combustible
05 Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon Data not available
Carbon footprint Data not available
Embodied energy Data not available
Water footprint 15-25 L/kgL/kg
Recyclability Data not available
Recycled content Data not available
Renewable content 0%%
Circular score 1-2/10
VOC emissions <0.1 g/L installed, hazardous during fabrication
Toxicity rating Severe - crystalline silica carcinogen Group 1 IARC
LEED contribution 1-2 points
06 Durability · Cost · Logistics
Expected lifespan 15-25 years residential, 10-20 years commercial
Maintenance interval Daily cleaning, annual professional assessment
Warranty period 10 years (Caesarstone/Quantum), 25 years (Silestone)
Material cost (range) $400-1350 AUD/m²
Material cost (per unit) 12mm: $360-1150/m², 20mm: $400-1350/m², 30mm: $460-1700/m², 40mm: $500-1825/m²
Lead time N/A - Product banned
Lifecycle cost $1100-2300 AUD/m² over 20 years
Annual maintenance $10-20 AUD/m²
Market availability BANNED - No longer available in Australia
07 Assessment
Advantages
- Low water absorption (?0.05%) and high density (?2.1 g/cm?) reported in quartz surface datasheets
- Flexural strength >35?40 MPa and compressive strength up to ~299 MPa reported in datasheets
- Surface burning reported as ASTM E84 Class A in datasheets
Constraints
- Prohibited in Australia for benchtops/panels/slabs from 1 July 2024 (engineered stone ban)
- Very high crystalline silica content (often ~93% or higher) poses severe RCS health risks
- Combustibility classification to AS 1530.1 not established; only surface/reaction-to-fire tests reported
08 Applications
A1 Kitchen benchtops (residential) - BANNED
A2 Bathroom vanities - BANNED
A3 Commercial food service surfaces - BANNED
A4 Laboratory benchtops - BANNED
A5 Reception desks and counters - BANNED
A6 Wall cladding (interior) - BANNED
A7 Flooring (limited applications) - BANNED
A8 Window sills - BANNED
A9 Stair treads - BANNED
A10 Splashbacks - BANNED
09 Sources & Standards
Sources pending — citations for this material are not yet recorded. Verify all figures against manufacturer data and current standards before specifying.