Sandstone C616-III
Grade
ASTM C616
C616-III = class III
Fully recrystallized, near-zero-absorption silica rock — highest strength, abrasion and stain resistance; hardest and slowest to cut.
Values for the C616-III condition
Other Sandstone tempers and conditions
Sandstone is listed in 3 conditions; see the grade overview at Sandstone.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C616-IDefault Class I | General building/landscape sandstone: easiest to carve and cut, but highest porosity and lowest strength — use in mild, non-freeze-thaw-critical exposures. | — | 3 | — | — | 2 W/m·K |
Class II | Silica-cemented sandstone with low absorption (≤3 %) — the practical choice for exterior cladding and paving in freeze–thaw climates. | — | 6 | — | — | 3 W/m·K |
C616-IIIThis page Class III | Fully recrystallized, near-zero-absorption silica rock — highest strength, abrasion and stain resistance; hardest and slowest to cut. | — | 12 | — | — | 6 W/m·K |
What is Sandstone C616-III?
Sandstone C616-III is Sandstone in the C616-III grade — fully recrystallized, near-zero-absorption silica rock — highest strength, abrasion and stain resistance; hardest and slowest to cut. Sandstone C616-III has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.25% and the elastic modulus is 55 GPa (7.98 Msi). Sandstone C616-III has a density of 2.62 g/cm³ (0.0947 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of natural material grades. It melts at 1,650°C (3,002 °F). C616-I is the default condition FabDigit quotes; C616-III is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 450°C (842 °F), better than 98% of natural material grades
- Conducts heat well — 5.5 W/m·K (3.18 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of natural material grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 1.4 MPa·√m (1.27 ksi·√in), better than 97% of natural material grades
- Low embodied carbon — 0.09 kg CO₂/kg, better than 95% of natural material grades
- Stiff — 55 GPa (7.98 Msi), better than 91% of natural material grades
Limitations
- Difficult to machine — 35/100, worse than 94% of natural material grades
- Heavy — 2.62 g/cm³ (0.0947 lb/in³), worse than 87% of natural material grades
- Limited ductility — 0.25%, worse than 86% of natural material grades
Sandstone C616-III properties
Typical room-temperature values for Sandstone C616-III; 17 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Sandstone reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among natural material grades.
Physical3
Sandstone C616-III has a density of 2.62 g/cm³ (0.0947 lb/in³), heavier than 87% of natural material grades. It melts at 1,650°C (3,002 °F).
Mechanical12
Sandstone C616-III has a tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi), weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Elongation at break is 0.25% and the elastic modulus is 55 GPa (7.98 Msi).
Thermal5
Sandstone C616-III is rated for continuous service to 450°C (842 °F). It conducts heat at 5.5 W/m·K (3.18 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of natural material grades. Thermal expansion is 11.5 µm/m·K (6.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical1
Sandstone C616-III has an electrical resistivity of 1×10⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental1
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), better than 83% of natural material grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of Sandstone C616-III takes about 2 MJ of energy and emits 0.09 kg of CO₂ — less than 94% of natural material grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Sandstone C616-III's machinability is fair (35/100, worse than 94% of natural material grades).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Sandstone C616-III
Is Sandstone easy to machine?
Cut and profiled with diamond blades, wire saws and CNC routers under water flood; soft and easy to carve but highly abrasive — expect fast diamond-segment wear and avoid dry cutting (silica dust hazard).
Can Sandstone be welded?
Not weldable; joints are made with epoxy/polyester stone adhesive, mortar bedding or mechanical anchors (kerf, undercut, dowel).
Can Sandstone be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped only by subtractive quarrying, splitting along bedding planes, sawing, bush-hammering or hand carving — no plastic forming.
What surface finishes work on Sandstone?
Typical finishes are sawn, honed, sandblasted, bush-hammered, flamed or split-face; will not take a mirror polish. Impregnating silane/siloxane sealers are recommended against staining, efflorescence and freeze–thaw damage.
Sandstone 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 |
|---|---|---|
| SiO2free silica (quartz grains + siliceous cement); ASTM C616 class minima 60/90/95 % | 60 – 95 | 80 |
| Al2O3feldspar and clay matrix | 1 – 12 | 7 |
| Fe2O3iron oxide cement — source of red/brown/yellow color | 0.3 – 6 | 2.5 |
| CaOcalcareous cement; raises acid sensitivity | 0.1 – 8 | 1.5 |
| K2O + Na2O | 0.2 – 5 | 2 |
| MgO | 0.1 – 3 | 0.8 |
| LOI / other mineralscarbonates, micas, organics, bound water | balance | — |
Sandstone C616-III — frequently asked
What is Sandstone C616-III used for?
Sandstone C616-III is typically used for paving and walkways, building facades and cladding, landscape walls, roofing tiles (flagstone) and interior flooring. In short: easiest-carving building stone; naturally slip-resistant paving; porous, needs sealing.
What is the tensile strength of Sandstone C616-III?
Sandstone C616-III has a typical tensile strength of 12 MPa (1.74 ksi) — weaker than 68% of natural material grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Sandstone C616-III easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, worse than 94% of natural material grades). Cut and profiled with diamond blades, wire saws and CNC routers under water flood; soft and easy to carve but highly abrasive — expect fast diamond-segment wear and avoid dry cutting (silica dust hazard).
Can Sandstone C616-III be welded?
Not weldable; joints are made with epoxy/polyester stone adhesive, mortar bedding or mechanical anchors (kerf, undercut, dowel).
What surface finishes work on Sandstone C616-III?
Typical finishes are sawn, honed, sandblasted, bush-hammered, flamed or split-face; will not take a mirror polish. Impregnating silane/siloxane sealers are recommended against staining, efflorescence and freeze–thaw damage.
Can Sandstone C616-III be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped only by subtractive quarrying, splitting along bedding planes, sawing, bush-hammering or hand carving — no plastic forming.
What is the maximum service temperature of Sandstone C616-III?
Sandstone C616-III is rated for continuous use to about 450°C (842 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- ASTM C616 Standard Specification for Quartz-Based Dimension Stone — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM C99 / C170 / C97 (modulus of rupture, compressive strength, absorption and bulk specific gravity of dimension stone) — ASTM International (2018)
- GB/T 18600 / GB/T 18601 (related dimension-stone test practice) (2009)
- Rock Mechanics property compilations (ISRM suggested methods; strength, modulus and K_IC of sedimentary rock) — ISRM / Elsevier (2015)
- Thermophysical and geophysical property tables for sedimentary rock — AGU/Geothermal handbooks (2011)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.