Sandstone is also known
as the arenite sometimes. It is a classic sedimentary rock which as a main
composition includes rock grains and sand sized minerals. Since feldspar and
the quartz are the most common minerals that are found in the crust of the
earth; they form the main constitution of sand stones. Rock formations which
are mainly made of the sand stones have a tendency of allowing the percolation
of fluids like water etc. These are porous in nature and store large quantities
of water and other fluids. In this way the rock formations become petroleum
reservoir and aquifiers. In some cases sandstones which are quartz bearing are
changed into quartzite by following various processes of pressure and heating
which are related to the tectonic compression within the orogenic belts.
Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of the sand stone is
discussed below:
Framework Grains
These are the sand sized particles which further
help in making bulk of sandstone. They are usually of the size between 1/16 mm
to 2 mm in their diameter. These framework grains are then further sub divided
into various categories. These are:
Quartz Framework Grains:
These are the minerals which are found in majority in most of the sedimentary
rocks. They are important as they have magnificent physical properties of
hardness and chemical stability. Due to these physical properties; in various
recycle events these quartz grains are allowed to survive. Sandstone manufacturers in India primarily look for
this particular grain in the piece of sandstone. These grains are however
originated from the recycled sandstone and plutonic rocks having felsic origin.
Feldspathic Framework Grains:
It can be regarded as one more important property that is looked by the sandstone suppliers in India. Their abundance in the
sandstone comes to the second position. They can also be subdivided further
into 2 categories:
Plagioclase Feldspar:
This group consists of solid solution minerals. Their range of composition
varies from NaAlSi3O8 to CaAl2Si2O8.
Alkali Feldspar:
Complete solid solution is represented by this group. Its composition ranges
from KAlSi3O8 to NaAlSi3O8.
Lithic Framework Grains:
It includes pieces of rocks from ancient source which are not weathered away
yet in to mineral grains called clasts or lithic fragments. The most common
lithic segment in the sandstone rocks is the clast of the volcanic rocks. In
most of the sand stone delivered by the exporters of sandstone in India; this is a common content.
Accessory Minerals:
Every other mineral grain that is found in the sandstone falls under this
category. However their percent in stone is very small. Some common examples of
this category include pyroxene, corundum, olivine, micas (biotite and
muscovite). Almost in every sandstone
piece found by the sandstone manufacturers in India;
these minerals are definite to be found.
Matrix:
Present in the interstitial pore
space of the frame work grains, matrix is a quite fine mineral. This
interstitial pore is then further divided into 2 major types:
Wackes:
These are texturally dirty type of the sandstones and have major matrix
content.
Arenites:
These are clean textured sandstone which either are free of matrix or have a
very little percent of that.
Cement: It is the reason the siliclastic
framework grains are attached together. This mineral of secondary type is
formed after burial of the sandstone. Its further divisions are:
Silica:
These type of cement consist either opal or quartz minerals. Later is the most
common type of the silicate mineral acting as cement.
Calcite:
It is the most common type of the carbonate cement. Due to this the framework
grains are adhered to each other.
Others:
These are the minerals including limonite, anhydrite, hematite, gypsum, zeolite
minerals and feldspars.
Pore Space:
this is the open spaces between the soil and a rock. It is directly responsible
for the permeability and the porosity of the rock. Due to this factor it is
being looked extensively by the exporters of sandstone
in India in the exported stones.
Uses
No stone can be popular just for its looks if it is
not useful in any particular way. There are several uses of the sandstone that
makes it popular and highly demanded among various clients. Given below are
some of its uses:
Building Purposes:
This can be regarded as a most common type of use of the sandstones. These are
used for the building purposes due to the fact that they are highly touch and
hard materials. It is the most common purpose for which the stone are supplied
by the sandstone suppliers in India.
Household and Office Uses:
Various household uses of the sandstone include its use in creating slabs,
floorings, designing counterparts etc. A major production of the sandstone manufacturers in India is consumed for these
purposes. Also getting popular at an increasing speed are the sandstone tiles
which are used due to their slight glimmer effect and gridlock cementing
feature.
Indian Sand Stone
Sandstones supplied by the exporters
of sandstone in India are no doubt of the good quality. Here are the
examples of some of the sandstone delivered by the sand stone suppliers in
India:
Dholpur Beige, Dholpur Pink, Agra Red, Autumn brown,
Kandla Grey, Raj Green, Yellow, rainbow sandstone, mint fossil sandstone, mint
white sandstone, mint mix color sandstone, mint natural sandstone, modak
sandstone, manada red sandstone, teakwood sandstone, raj multi sandstone and
raj pink sandstone.
As can be seen from the above given examples; most
of the sand stones delivered by the sandstone suppliers
in India are named based on their origin and their color. There are
various colors of the sand stone available that can be picked by the user
depending on his taste and use.
To be precise it is a fair time for the sandstone manufacturers in India; it is due to the
fact that Indian sandstone is demanded and liked by people in the western
countries. Thus more and more chances of exports are created for the Indian
exporters.