Sandstone

Description : Sandstone is a sedimentary rock. It forms by compaction and consolidation of sand, which is together by a natural cementing material, such as silica. Sandstone is made of sand cemented by silica, iron, lime etc. It is quartz based stone. It is one of the hardest and toughest materials. Even it is harder then granite. Sandstone is mined by quarrying. Commonly sandstone is composed of quartz and feldspar. It is widely used in stonecraft.
Occurrence
Australia Czechrepublic England India Israel Mongolia Russia Scotland United States

Uses of Sandstone

Sandstone is beautifying material with amazing mechanical strength, used for building, decoration, monuments, fireplaces, walls chemical industry, flooring, lining, wall fixing and many more.
Chemical industry : Owing to its resistant to acid and alkali, it is often used for chemical industry for flooring, wall fixing and lining.
Sandstone walls and monuments: Sandstone walls are widely famous and monuments masterpieces are Red fort, Hawa Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Qutub Minar, Pyramid of Egypt and many other historical monument are great sample of Sandstone. It has own architected and beautifying quality.
Sandstone pavers : Tiles, slabs, and blocks of sandstone are valued for paving. It is also popular for garden purpose. due to natural beauty it used for external decoration.It contributes gorgeous beauty in garden.
Sandstone fireplace : Sandstone is globally used for fireplaces wall due to its thermal protection quality. Mostly Red and yellow color varieties used in fireplace.
Sandstone sea-shore buildings : Sandstones are resistant to saline air, which make it perfect for exterior cladding in sea-shore buildings. Sandstone is a very popular building material.

Physical Properties of Sandstone

Color :	Available in red, yellow, white, pink, gray.
Hardness :	On moh's scale its density lies between 6 and 7.
Density :	2.30 - 2.41 kg/m³
Comprehensive strength :	approx 360 to 465 kg/m²
Porosity :	low
Water absorption :	The water absorbing capacity is up to 1% only.

Chemical Composition

The chemical constitution of sandstone is similar to the same as that of sand. Sandstone is usually composed of silica, calcium carbonate, or iron oxide. It is mainly made of quartz.
Constituent of sandstone by percentage
Silica (Sio₂) Alumina (Al₂O₃) Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) Soda and potash (NaO & KO₂) Lime (CaO) Magnesia (Mgo)	91% - 93% 1.3% - 1.45% 1.4% - 1.55% 1.0 % - 1.2% 0.7% - 0.9% 0.22% - 0.25%

Features of Sandstone

High mechanical strength
Resistant to acids and alkalies
Resistant to air and saline water
Resistant to corrosion and weathering
Excellent binding with cement
Load bearing
Resistance with heat

Varieties of Sandstone

White Sandstone :
	White sandstone is a sedimentary rock. It is whitish pink color sandstone. It is widely use for rough flooring, outsider wall paneling, casual shape used for special flooring on domestic and commercial level. It is also used for stone screens, Land escaping, Columns, vases and pots.
Red Sandstone: (Agra-red Sandstone)
	One of the most famous sandstone is red sandstone. It is also called Agra red sandstone. The great feature of this stone is, it can bear weathering affect. It is easy to carve and cut, hence used for stone craft on wide level. It has been used in Agra ford, hence also known as Agra-red sandstone.
Greenish White Sandstone :
	Greenish White Sandstone is widely use for Wall fixing, flooring, wall lining. Great smoothness and easy to carving property of greenish white, makes its most suitable for handicraft and special flooring. It is also used in Kitchen, counter, bench and bathroom tops. It is valuable in many shades, sizes and finished.
Gray Sandstone :
	It is made up of quartz and silica calcite. Sandstone available in three shades: bluish gray, dark gray and light gray. It is available in many forms such as Tiles, Slabs, and Blocks, Cobbles sandstone Bricks use for in flooring, wall cladding, pavement, countertops, and fireplace mantels.
Pink Sandstone :
	Pink Sandstone is mainly used for exteriors pink color on the base of red. It is suitable for both domestic and commercial use. It is available in sawn, polished and natural form.
Beige Sandstone :
	This buff white colored sandstone is one of the most popular sandstone. Quality of regular bedding, uniform grain size, suitable nature and durability makes it different from others. It has been used for historical buildings and monuments. Sandstone is use on wide level all over the world.
Coffee Sandstone :
	Coffee and chocolate color sandstone is widely for Stonecraft and interior wall decorations.