The increased use of slate and natural stone in current building has led to a rise in demand for these materials and heightened competition, resulting in an ever growing need for higher quality standard such as CE marking or accreditation from ENAC (National Accreditation Entity).
LABORATORY
The Laboratory of the Technological Center for Slate has held the latter accreditation since 2007, which currently certifies five slate roofing tests.
The need to understand the characteristics and performance of each product is also driven by the saturation of markets and the emergence of new competing countries such as China or Brazil, in addition to the stringent environmental regulations, which has also encouraged the focus on technological innovation.
LABORATORY TESTS
With a view to the challenges and needs facing the slate and natural stone sector, the Laboratory offers the following specialized services:
SLATE ROOFING TESTS
Determination of length and width. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 5
Determination of edge deviation from the straight line. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 6
Determination of the rectangularity of the slates. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 7
Determination of the thickness of individual slates. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 8
Determination of the deviation of flatness. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 9
Determination of the breaking strength and characteristic breaking strength. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 10. (*)
Water absorption. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 11. (*)
Freeze / Thaw. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 12.
Determination of the content of calcium carbonate and non-carbonated carbon by catalytic thermal decomposition. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 13. (*)
Exposure to sulfur dioxide in slates with a calcium carbonate content ≤ 20% (by mass). UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 14.1. (*)
Thermal cycling. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clause 15. (*)
Petrographic examination: macroscopic and thin section study. UNE EN 12326-2:2012 Clauses 16.6.1 and 16.6.2.1. Macroscopic description of 1 slate plate and microscopic description of three thin sections.
(*): The tests marked are included in the scope of ENAC accreditation of the Fundación Centro Tecnolóxico da Pizarra.
NATURAL STONE TESTS
Apparent density and open porosity. UNE EN 1936:2007.
Water absorption at atmospheric pressure. UNE EN 13755:2008.
Water absorption by capillarity. UNE EN 1925:1999.
Slip resistance with friction pendulum. UNE EN 14231:2004.
Breaking energy by impact. UNE EN 14158:2004.
Resistance to aging by thermal shock. UNE EN 14066:2014.
These services are supported by expert technicians who provide advice on CE marking and factory production control, diagnosis and evaluation of pathologies, interpretation of test result, and suitability for use.
The test reports are issued in electronic format and in various languages for the client, following each specific request.
