Block · 20–40 mm
Stone — indicative fig. M·112
Fire Data pending Embodied carbon Data pending Per-m² sourceCompressive 200MPa StructuralDesign life 40yr
Premium natural stone benchtop material quarried from igneous rock formations, offering exceptional durability, heat resistance, and unique aesthetic patterns for kitchen and bathroom applications across Australian residential and commercial projects.
01 Physical
Density 2700kg/m³
Specific gravity 2.7
Porosity 0.4%
Water absorption 0.2%
Hardness 6.5Mohs
UV resistance Excellent
Chemical resistance Good
pH tolerance 3 – 11pH
02 Mechanical
Tensile strength 15MPa
Compressive strength 200MPa
Flexural strength 20MPa
Shear strength 27MPa
Poisson's ratio 0.25
Creep resistance Excellent
03 Thermal
Thermal conductivity 2.7W/m·K
Specific heat 840J/kg·K
Thermal expansion 7.4µm/m·K
04 Compliance & Fire First question
Fire resistance level Non-combustible
Flame spread index 0
Smoke dev. index 0
Heat release rate 0kW/m²
05 Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon 290kgCO2e/m²
Carbon footprint 107kgCO2e/tonne
Embodied energy 3.5MJ/kg
Water footprint 150L/m²
Recyclability 100%
Recycled content 0%
Renewable content 0%
Circular score 6/10
VOC emissions 0g/L
Toxicity rating Non-toxic
06 Durability · Cost · Logistics
Expected lifespan 40-100+years
Lifecycle cost 35AUD/m²/year
Annual maintenance 50AUD/year
Market availability Readily available
07 Assessment
Advantages
- Exceptional durability with 40+ year lifespan
- Heat resistant up to 350°C for direct pot placement
- Scratch resistant with 6-7 Mohs hardness rating
- Each slab unique with natural patterns and colours
- UV resistant for outdoor applications
- Non-combustible for bushfire zones (BAL-FZ compliant)
- Adds significant property value (up to 25% for kitchens)
- Low maintenance when properly sealed
- Resistant to acids and chemicals (when sealed)
- Environmentally preferable to synthetic alternatives
Constraints
- High initial cost ($700-$2000 per m² installed)
- Heavy weight requires substantial support structure
- Natural porosity requires periodic sealing
- Can crack under extreme thermal shock or impact
- Limited repair options for chips or cracks
- Professional installation required
- Lighter colours more prone to staining
- Transport emissions for imported stone
- Non-renewable resource
- Cold surface feel in winter months
08 Applications
A1 Kitchen benchtops and island surfaces
A2 Bathroom vanity tops
A3 Outdoor kitchen and BBQ areas
A4 Commercial food preparation surfaces
A5 Laboratory benchtops
A6 Reception desks and commercial counters
A7 Bar tops and servery areas
A8 Splash backs and wall cladding
A9 Window sills and architectural features
A10 Hospitality and healthcare surfaces
09 Sources & Standards
Sources pending — citations for this material are not yet recorded. Verify all figures against manufacturer data and current standards before specifying.