Turkey’s stones tested in lab for various uses

AFYONKARAHİSAR - Anatolia News Agency

Nineteen types of tests are conducted in the laboratory in order to determine the physical and physic mechanical features of the natural stones. AA photo

A laboratory affiliated with Afyon Kocatepe University’s (AKU) Department of Mining Engineering works to determine the quality of natural stones unearthed in Turkey. The Natural Stone Analysis Laboratory tests the quality of natural stones such as marble, granite and andesite, to find their best use.

Nineteen types of tests are conducted in the laboratory, including pressure resistance, absorption of water, hardness, viscosity and adaptation to weather conditions in order to determine the physical and physic mechanical features of the stones.

The lab was founded in 2008 in order to meet the needs of the sector as well as testing and analysis demands from academic circles, the laboratory’s top manager, Professor Eyüp Sabah said.

The natural stone sector had developed significantly since the 1980s, Sabah said. “With the development of this sector, the need for testing and analyzing in national and international standards arose. In 2008, with the financial support of the Aegean Exporters’ Union works for the establishment of the lab started. The cost was above 1 million Turkish Liras in a year. It took nearly 10 months to provide tools. Procedures have also been implemented for 18 tests in this process. Our lab got permission for accreditation on Aug. 10, 2010 for 18 tests. Among our goals is meeting the demand of the natural stone sector preeminently in accordance with the standards,” Sabah said.

The lab also strives to meet other functional missions, which include analysis and test needs from various departments of the university. “This is not only limited to our own university. We can also fulfill the needs for analysis from all around Turkey. The lab is open to all sector representatives,” he said.

All tests on stones

The lab is responsible for providing quality work, Associate Professor Sevgi Gürcan said, adding that all tests regarding natural stones could be done in the lab. “We classify natural stones into various groups such as those for exterior masonry, those for coating, those for staircase covering and etc. their test is different according to their area of use. Also, by testing their physic mechanical features, we help producers to determine the area of use of the stones,” Gürcan said, adding that the lab classified all materials for tests.