Natural Stone Testing Services
NSI Materials Testing Lab
Making quality testing services accessible to everyone.
Utilize the association's state-of-the-art testing and reporting capabilities. Turn to the Natural Stone Institute if you:
- Are introducing new stone to the market
- Have outdated technical data (over 3 years old)
- Need project specific testing
- Are unsure of what testing you need for certain installation conditions
- Have concerns with a current installation and need guidance
About the Test Laboratory
- Specializing in natural stone properties and evaluation
- ISO17025 Accredited Test Facility (TL-1190)
- Registered with the Army Corp of Engineers for C97 (Absorption & Bulk Gravity)
- Member of the ASSIMAGRA S.TONE laboratory network
- Exclusive North American Fischer Anchor Pull Test Provider
- Can perform both Physical Properties and Environmental Exposure testing
- Lab Manager has 18 years industry experience and is both vice-chair of the ASTM C18 committee on dimension stone and acting chair of the ISO/TC 327 committee for natural stones
- Lead Lab Technician has over 15 years quality control experience
- Technical Director has 30+ years of stone testing experience and is a past chair of the ASTM C18 committee on dimension stone.
Primary Scope of Testing Services:
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Slip Resistance (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) – ANSI A326.3, ASTM C1028
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Absorption, Density, and Bulk Specific Gravity – ASTM C97, ASTM C121
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Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone – ASTM C170
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Flexural Strength – ASTM C880
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Modulus of Rupture – ASTM C99, ASTM C120
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Flexural Modulus of Elasticity – ASTM C1352
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Abrasion Resistance – ASTM C1353
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Anchorage Testing – ASTM C1354
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Mortar Shear Bond Strength – ASTM C482
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Stain & Chemical Resistance – ASTM D1308, ASTM C650
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Freeze/Thaw Exposure Durability – ASTM C666, ASTM C1645, EN 12371
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Salt Crystallization Resistance – EN 12370
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Thermal & Moisture Cycling (Bowing Resistance) – EN 16306
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Thermal Shock – ASTM C484
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Flatwise Tensile Bond Strength – ASTM C297
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Petrography – ASTM C1721
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(*Additional testing capabilities available)
Testing Lab Testimonials
Competitive industry pricing with special pricing available for:
- Natural Stone Institute members
- Large volume orders
- Bundled packages
Bundled Package #1 (Basic Physical Property Testing) Includes:
- C97 Absorption & Bulk Specific Gravity – 5 Specimens
- C170 Compressive Strength – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
- C880 Flexural Strength OR ASTM C99 Modus of Rupture – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
Bundled Package #2 (Expanded Physical Property Testing) Includes:
- C97 Absorption & Bulk Specific Gravity – 5 Specimens
- C99 Modulus of Rupture – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
- C170 Compressive Strength – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
- C880 Flexural Strength – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
- C1353 Abrasion Resistance – 3 Specimens
For a quotation and/or information on how many samples are needed for each test, please email: technical@naturalstoneinstitute.org