Quartzite
Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from quartz sandstone under heat and pressure, supplied as commercial and higher-purity slabs and as flamed architectural stone.
Reference datasheet — Quartzite is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the PURE condition
Quartzite tempers and conditions
Quartzite is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. PURE is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Commercial/micaceous quartzite | Choose the commercial micaceous stock (SiO₂ 85–95 % with feldspar and mica) for richer veining, accepting a softer, more staining-prone metamorphic sandstone that needs resin backing and sealing. | 11 | 4 W/m·K | |||
PUREDefault High-purity orthoquartzite slab (SiO₂ ≥ 95 %), polished | Pick the polished high-purity orthoquartzite slab (SiO₂ ≥ 95 %) for countertops and heavy-wear floors: highest hardness and scratch resistance with low water absorption. | 17 | 6 W/m·K |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways Quartzite is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
FLAMED | Thermally finished (flamed / bush-hammered) exterior paving stock | Surface finish |
What is Quartzite?
Quartzite is a non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from quartz sandstone under heat and pressure, supplied as commercial and higher-purity slabs and as flamed architectural stone. It is chosen for hardness and scratch resistance, chemical stability (corrosion resistance score 93), thermal conductivity near 6 W/m·K and service to 400 °C, in slabs, tiles, pavers and cut-to-size panels. It is brittle — about 17 MPa in tension at a 75 GPa modulus — so parts must work in compression, and diamond tooling with water cooling is mandatory at a machinability score of 7. Granite is the usual alternative when fabrication cost matters more than scratch resistance. Quartzite has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of natural material grades. It melts at 1,670°C (3,038 °F). Quartzite has a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi), weaker than 57% of natural material grades. The elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
What is Quartzite used for?
- Kitchen countertops
- Flooring and wall cladding
- Exterior paving
- Landscaping
Advantages
- Stiff — 75 GPa (10.9 Msi), better than 100% of natural material grades
- Good corrosion resistance — 93/100, better than 100% of natural material grades
- Conducts heat well — 6 W/m·K (3.47 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of natural material grades
- High service temperature — 400°C (752 °F), better than 94% of natural material grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 88/100, better than 94% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 7/100, worse than 100% of natural material grades
- Heavy — 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), worse than 87% of natural material grades
Quartzite properties
Typical room-temperature values for Quartzite-PURE; bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical3
Quartzite has a density of 2.65 g/cm³ (0.0957 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of natural material grades. It melts at 1,670°C (3,038 °F).
Mechanical11
Quartzite has a tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi), weaker than 57% of natural material grades. The elastic modulus is 75 GPa (10.9 Msi).
Thermal5
Quartzite is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 6 W/m·K (3.47 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 11 µm/m·K (6.11 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Quartzite has an electrical resistivity of 1,000,000 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is excellent (93/100), better than 100% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Quartzite takes about 3 MJ of energy and emits 0.22 kg of CO₂ — less than 84% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Quartzite's machinability is not recommended (7/100, worse than 100% of natural material grades).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Working with Quartzite
Is Quartzite easy to machine?
Process only with diamond tooling — bridge saw, waterjet or CNC router — with full water cooling and low feed rates. Free silica dust requires wet cutting plus respiratory protection.
Can Quartzite be welded?
Not weldable; seams are bonded with epoxy or unsaturated polyester stone adhesive, and backs can be mesh- or resin-reinforced.
Can Quartzite be formed, bent or molded?
No plastic forming: shape by sawing, waterjet profiling, hole cutting and edge grinding. Thin panels should be backed with aluminium honeycomb to prevent brittle fracture.
Quartzite chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2quartz, partly recrystallized | 85 – 99.5 | 96 |
| Al2O3feldspar/mica/sericite | 0.2 – 6 | 1.8 |
| Fe2O3hematite/limonite; controls yellow-red hue | 0.05 – 2 | 0.5 |
| K2O+Na2O | 0.05 – 3 | 0.7 |
| CaO+MgO | 0.02 – 1.5 | 0.3 |
| TiO2 | 0.01 – 0.5 | 0.1 |
| LOI | 0.05 – 1.5 | 0.3 |
What surface finishes work on Quartzite?
Step through resin diamond pads to 3000 grit for high gloss; matte, flamed, bush-hammered and antiqued surfaces are also available. A penetrating stain-resisting sealer is recommended.
How much does Quartzite cost?
Quartzite is a standard-cost natural material ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Quartzite — frequently asked
What is Quartzite used for?
Quartzite is typically used for kitchen countertops, flooring and wall cladding, exterior paving and landscaping. In short: hardest common countertop stone; diamond tooling only; acid-resistant natural stone.
What is the tensile strength of Quartzite?
Quartzite has a typical tensile strength of 17 MPa (2.47 ksi) — weaker than 57% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is Quartzite easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (7/100, worse than 100% of natural material grades). Process only with diamond tooling — bridge saw, waterjet or CNC router — with full water cooling and low feed rates. Free silica dust requires wet cutting plus respiratory protection.
Can Quartzite be welded?
Not weldable; seams are bonded with epoxy or unsaturated polyester stone adhesive, and backs can be mesh- or resin-reinforced.
What surface finishes work on Quartzite?
Step through resin diamond pads to 3000 grit for high gloss; matte, flamed, bush-hammered and antiqued surfaces are also available. A penetrating stain-resisting sealer is recommended.
Can Quartzite be formed, bent or molded?
No plastic forming: shape by sawing, waterjet profiling, hole cutting and edge grinding. Thin panels should be backed with aluminium honeycomb to prevent brittle fracture.
What is the maximum service temperature of Quartzite?
Quartzite is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Quartzite cost?
Quartzite is a standard-cost natural material ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM C616 Standard Specification for Quartz-Based Dimension Stone — ASTM International (2023)
- Dimension Stone Design Manual — Natural Stone Institute (2016)
- Rock Physics & Phase Relations: A Handbook of Physical Constants — American Geophysical Union (1995)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.