Sheet · Sizes pending
Stone — indicative fig. M·116
Fire A1 A1 Non-combustibleEmbodied carbon 0.12kgCO₂e/kg LowCompressive 52-200MPa StructuralDesign life 50yr
Natural marble stone in tile and slab form for flooring, wall cladding, and countertop applications
01 Physical
Density 2600-2850kg/m3
Specific gravity 2.60-2.85
Porosity 0.5-2%
Water absorption 0.10-0.20%
Hardness 3-4Mohs
UV resistance Good
Chemical resistance Poor (acids); Good (alkalis)
pH tolerance 7-14 (acid-sensitive below pH 7)pH
Surface roughness 0.1-200 (finish-dependent)um
02 Mechanical
Tensile strength 7-20MPa
Compressive strength 52-200MPa
Flexural strength 7-22MPa
Shear strength 15-30MPa
Poisson's ratio 0.20
Impact resistance 3-6J
Creep resistance Good (tiles/cladding applications)
03 Thermal
Thermal conductivity 2.5-3.1W/mK
Specific heat 870J/kgK
Thermal expansion 0.004-0.011mm/m/degC
04 Compliance & Fire First question
Combustibility class A1 Non-Combustible
Fire resistance level Assembly-dependent (spalling risk above 300 degC)minutes
Ignition temp N/A (does not ignite)degC
Flame spread index 0
Smoke dev. index 0-5
Heat release rate 0kW/m2
05 Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon 0.12-0.35kg CO2-eq/kg
Carbon footprint 7-28kg CO2-eq/m2
Embodied energy 1.5-6.0MJ/kg
Water footprint 15-45L/kg
Recyclability 100%
Recycled content 0 (primary stone)%
Renewable content 0%
Circular score 6.5/10
VOC emissions 0ug/m3
Toxicity rating Non-Toxic (inert mineral)
LEED contribution 2-5points
06 Durability · Cost · Logistics
Expected lifespan 50-200+years
Maintenance interval 365-1095 (sealing)days
Warranty period 5-10years
Sound absorption Very Low (0.01-0.05 NRC)
Material cost (range) 60-2,500AUD/m2
Material cost (per unit) 150-300AUD/m2
Lead time 5-120days
Lifecycle cost 400-1,500 (over 50 years)AUD/m2
Annual maintenance 6-26AUD/m2/year
Market availability Excellent
07 Assessment
Advantages
- Unique natural beauty — luminous translucency, distinctive veining, unmatched aesthetic depth
- Exceptional heritage and cultural prestige — 4,000+ years of architectural significance
- Non-combustible (A1) — inherently fire-safe cladding and flooring material
- Long lifespan (100+ years) when properly maintained in interior applications
- Naturally cool surface — excellent for passive cooling in warm climates
- Wide range of colours, veining, and finishes from global quarry sources
- Recyclable and reusable — salvaged marble retains value, can be re-polished or repurposed
Constraints
- Acid-sensitive — etches from contact with acidic substances (lemon, vinegar, wine, cleaning products)
- Relatively soft (Mohs 3-4) — scratches more easily than granite or engineered stone
- Requires regular sealing (1-3 years) to resist staining
- Heavy — approximately 27 kg/m2 per 10mm thickness, requires structural verification for wall cladding
- Significant quarrying environmental impact (30-70% extraction waste)
- High transport carbon footprint when imported from European/Asian quarries
- Thermal shock spalling risk in fire conditions
08 Applications
A1 Interior Floor Tiles Polished or honed marble tiles for residential and commercial flooring — lobbies, bathrooms, living areas, and corridors
A2 Wall Cladding Interior and exterior marble slabs or tiles for feature walls, bathroom surrounds, lift lobbies, and facade panels
A3 Countertops and Vanities Marble slabs for kitchen benchtops, bathroom vanity tops, and bar surfaces — typically 20-30mm thick with polished or honed finish
A4 Staircases Marble treads, risers, and landings for residential and commercial staircases — premium finish with slip-resistant edge profiles
A5 Backlit Feature Panels Thin marble veneer (3-6mm) on glass or honeycomb substrate for translucent backlit wall panels and light features
09 Sources & Standards
Sources pending — citations for this material are not yet recorded. Verify all figures against manufacturer data and current standards before specifying.