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:

1. Are introducing new stone to the market
2. Have outdated technical data (over 3 years old)
3. Need project specific testing
4. Are unsure of what testing you need for certain installation conditions
5. 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:

• Slip Resistance (Dynamic Coefficient of Friction) – ANSI A326.3, ASTM C1028

• Absorption, Density, and Bulk Specific Gravity – ASTM C97, ASTM C121

• Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone – ASTM C170

• Flexural Strength – ASTM C880

• Modulus of Rupture – ASTM C99, ASTM C120

• Flexural Modulus of Elasticity – ASTM C1352

• Abrasion Resistance – ASTM C1353

• Anchorage Testing – ASTM C1354

• Mortar Shear Bond Strength – ASTM C482

• Stain & Chemical Resistance – ASTM D1308, ASTM C650

• Freeze/Thaw Exposure Durability – ASTM C666, ASTM C1645, EN 12371

• Salt Crystallization Resistance – EN 12370

• Thermal & Moisture Cycling (Bowing Resistance) – EN 16306

• Thermal Shock – ASTM C484

• Flatwise Tensile Bond Strength – ASTM C297

• Petrography – ASTM C1721

• (*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:

1. C97 Absorption & Bulk Specific Gravity – 5 Specimens
2. C170 Compressive Strength – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
3. 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:

1. C97 Absorption & Bulk Specific Gravity – 5 Specimens
2. C99 Modulus of Rupture – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
3. C170 Compressive Strength – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
4. C880 Flexural Strength – 20 Specimens (5 parallel D, 5 parallel W, 5 perpendicular D, 5 perpendicular W)
5. 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