Properties of granite!

Durability. Granite is known as the “eternal” stone. Indeed, fine-grained rocks show the first signs of wear and destruction only after 500 years. The granite sarcophagus in the Great Pyramid of Giza (built about 4,500 years ago) has hardly changed over time.
High strength. This feature depends on the size of the grains. Rocks with a fine-grained structure have a compressive strength of about 300 MPa. In this parameter, granite is significantly superior to other materials. For example, the compressive strength of concrete of the highest class B30 is only 39.29 MPa, clinker brick M1000 – 100 MPa. In simple terms, the stone can withstand a pressure of about 2200 kg / cm2. The tensile strength is low and is 3% of the compressive strength. If the mining technology is violated, thin cracks can form in the stone, which practically do not affect the strength, but reduce the tensile strength.
High resistance to acids and natural phenomena. The stone withstands about 300 freeze-thaw cycles, making it one of the best outdoor materials.
Medium fire resistance. As a result of polymorphic transformations of quartz, granite cracks at temperatures above 600°C. Stone does not withstand direct contact with fire, but is still suitable for arranging fireplaces (as well as marble), since the temperature of their outer lining rarely exceeds 120 ° C. The melting point of granite is on average 1200°C, but in the presence of water this parameter is much lower – about 650°C.
Waterproof. The water absorption coefficient of the mineral is 0.05-0.17%, which is comparable to marble. This stone practically does not absorb moisture, which makes it ideal for building fountains, embankments, and pools. Indirectly, this parameter also affects frost resistance. Low water absorption is a consequence of the low porosity of the material. In granites, pores occupy no more than 1.5% of the total size.