TECHNICAL SHEET
Feature | Value |
Apparent Density | 2.90kg/m3 |
Apparent Porosity | 0,42% |
Water absorption | 0,06% |
Uniaxial Compressive Strength | 86,13Mpa (dry), 59,42 Mpa (saturated) |
Freeze-Thaw Resistance | 0,87K |
3-point loading bending | 18,19 Mpa (dry), 18,08 Mpa (saturated) |
4-point loading bending | 19,90 Mpa (dry), 17,86 Mpa (saturated) |
Abrasion wear 1,000m | 3,47mm (1000m) |
Reference standard 15.845/2015 |
Técnicas de beneficiamento do Emerald Soapstone
(Pedra Sabão)
Serpentinite is a metamorphic rock mined in Serro - MG, Brazil. It is green in color, giving a dark green appearance when mineral oil is applied to its surface. It has a medium-fine grain size of 20%-80%, smaller than 1 mm, with a mineralogical composition of 50% serpentine, 30% talc, 10% chlorite, and 10% opaque minerals or quartz crystal. This material has very low abrasion resistance, meaning it scratches very easily, so we do not recommend it for areas of foot traffic such as floors and stairs. Its color variation can change according to the percentage of iron and magnesium in its composition. It can be used as wall coverings, but mainly in fireplaces and barbecues due to its resistance to thermal expansion and heat retention. It's also widely used in kitchen countertops due to its low porosity (very low absorption rate and, therefore, low risk of staining) and its exuberant beauty (dark color interspersed with veins of talc or quartz crystal). Soapstone has little resistance to abrasion, making it the best stone for carving and producing works of art such as Aleijadinho's statues of the twelve prophets in Congonhas do Campo, Minas Gerais, and the exterior covering of the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR FABRICATORS (Stone Workers)
Note: According to Standard 16596:2017 – Resistance to chemical attack, this material presents good resistance to attack, for some products a slight color change, with no apparent corrosion for any agent specified in the standard.
Processing Data
The correct selection of inputs for manufacturing this product directly impacts production costs and the final quality of the finished part. Assuming the equipment used is in good condition, the cooling system water is clean, and there is no solid waste circulating through it, the following are recommendations for the inputs required for successful processing:
Cutting Method: to ensure the quality of cuts and grinding, we recommend diamond discs, saws, cups and grinding wheels made of soft metal alloy. In Brazil, we recommend tools from PS31 or Performance PS5.
Sealing at cutting areas: As it is a material with very low water absorption, it is not necessary to use water repellents in the cutting areas, however, after finishing we recommend using a product to intensify the color of the material.
Recommended color enhancers: Intense, from Idea / Dark, from Bellinzonni / Darkener Plus, from AKEMI / and Ager, from Tenax,
Adhesive bonding: to ensure the best adhesion quality, we recommend the following adhesives:
Brazil and abroad: Platinum, by AKEMI, / Titanium, by Tenax / or Spezial tak, by Bellinzonni
NOTE: It is important to strictly follow the proportion of glue + catalyst recommended by the manufacturers. In this case, we recommend using a pigment to match the color pattern of the material.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INSTALLERS
Installation of vertical panels: For installing vertical panels, bench wheels and baseboards, we recommend using Polyurethane glue – PU 40; remembering that the wall surface must be level and clean of dust and other dirt. After applying PU 40, we recommend waiting for the curing time suggested by the manufacturer before releasing the area for use.
Product recommendations: Hybrid adhesive AK 100, by AKEMI / TK PU 40 gray or black, AKEMI / PU 40 multi gray, by Barone / or PU 40 – Tekbond
Installation on sink countertops: Given this material's low flexural strength, we recommend using support points every 60 cm on countertops. For cantilevered countertops, we recommend supporting the piece on a metal support and securing it with black or gray PU 40 polyurethane glue.
Post-installation cleaning and protection: Toda limpeza pós-obra deve ser realizada utilizando água e detergente neutro para remoção dos resíduos. Não é permitido a utilização de detergentes ácidos; este tipo de detergente pode danificar a pedra.
Recommendation: Quartzolit post-construction cleaner / Post-construction floor cleaner detergent, by Bellinzonni / PCS Alcalino, by Piso Clean / or Basic Cleaner detergent – AKEMI brand
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR END USERS (Attention: Family Members and Household Staff)
Care and maintenance guidelines for users over time:
Surface protection guidelines:
- Don't use abrasive products to clean your countertop. This can scratch the surface. Use a cloth or sponge with mild soap.
- Do not cut products with a knife directly on the surface – use cutting boards for this.
- Don't drag utensils across the surface. They may have grooves, imperfections that can scratch your countertop.
- Avoid blows, knocks, excessive weight, or impacts on your natural stone. Despite its apparent robustness, rocks have little bonding between their elements and can crack or fissure if subjected to physical shock or vibration. Avoid using spice grinders directly on the surface, unless it is well protected by an impact absorber.
Observations on the use of cutting tools or dragging utensils over the surface are much more important for soapstone, given its low resistance to abrasion.
WITH THE RIGHT CARE, YOUR NATURAL STONE WILL LAST FOR GENERATIONS, PRESERVING THE SAME BEAUTY AND ELEGANCE AS THE DAY IT WAS INSTALLED.
