Flat slate is an asbestos - cement slab made by a special technology. This material has a fairly wide scope. Most often it is used in industrial, housing and household construction. Technical characteristics of flat slate are quite high. Among its positive qualities are strength, durability, fire safety, ease of installation. The material is produced in different sizes, which largely depends on its type and method of application.
Flat Slate Production
Since asbestos is the main component in the manufacture of flat slate, it is worth telling about it first. This raw material has been used for more than a hundred years in various sectors of construction, with its help they produce a wide variety of designs. Asbestos is of natural origin. It is characterized by extremely strong fibers, exceeding in strength even steel wire. Products from it combine excellent quality and low cost.
In the manufacture of flat slate, the following components are used:
- chrysotile asbestos;
- Portland cement;
- water.
The share of asbestos in this composition is 18%. When forming a sheet, its fibers are evenly distributed over the entire area. They adhere well to the cement mortar and form a reinforcing mesh. Due to this basis, flat slate, the sheet size of which is initially determined during molding, has increased tensile strength, high impact strength, fire resistance and other positive qualities.
Scope of application
Flat slate has a wider range of applications than its wavy counterpart. It is often used in agriculture, industrial and housing construction. Using this material, formwork for the foundation and βdry screedsβ are made. During construction, they erect walls according to the method of sandwich panels and balcony railings. Also, flat slate, the sheet sizes of which are different, is suitable for arranging the roof, exterior and interior decoration of buildings.
Quite often, slabs are used for the construction of fences. In agriculture, they build sheds, gazebos, aviaries, pens and other household structures. In industry, a flat slate has also been used. With its help, fences are erected, technical mines are tiled, floors are laid. Often various small structures are mounted from this material, for example, trade stalls or pavilions.
Varieties of flat slate
Depending on the manufacturing technology of flat slate, it is divided into two types: pressed and unpressed. These materials differ from each other in their technical characteristics. For example, slate is flat pressed sheet size and weight is greater than unpressed. Its strength is slightly higher, as well as its cost. The cycle of freezing and thawing of this type of material is twice as large, and the error in linear dimensions is less. The tolerance for pressed slate is 4 mm, while for unpressed - 8 mm.
Differences between different types of material are in the areas of their application. Slate flat non-pressed, the sheet size of which is slightly smaller, is used for facing buildings, installing internal partitions, arranging insulated wall panels. Pressed material is used for the construction of household structures, the installation of floor slabs, roofs, fences.
Each type of slate is indicated by a different marking, for example: --3,61,58 GOST. The letters in it are deciphered as follows:
- LP - a sheet is flat;
- NP or P - unpressed or pressed.
The numbers indicated in the marking indicate:
- length, width of the sheet in meters;
- slate thickness in millimeters.
Specifications
Technical characteristics of slate flat to the greatest extent depend on the technological equipment used in the production, as well as the main component of the raw material - asbestos. In particular, the following factors affect the quality of the material:
- density of asbestos-cement stone;
- diameter and average fiber length;
- chemical and mineralogical composition;
- fineness of grinding.
The amount of asbestos in the composition and the uniform distribution in the cement of its fibers also affect the slate flat. The sheet size, technical specifications and other properties of the material depend on its type. You can learn more from the comparison table:
Specifications | Pressed | Unpressed |
Density, g / cm 3 | 1.8 | 1,6 |
Strength, MPa | 23 | 18 |
Residual strength,% | 90 | 40 |
Bending strength, kgf / cm 3 | 230 | 180 |
Frost resistance cycle | fifty | 25 |
Impact strength, kJ / m 2 | 2,5 | 2 |
Positive properties of flat slate
The slate is flat, the sheet sizes of which are different, and the technical characteristics are quite high, it is widely used in a variety of construction industries. This is due to a set of positive qualities that distinguish this material from others like it:
- reliability and hardness;
- immunity to corrosion and decay;
- protection against ultraviolet and magnetic radiation;
- resistance to atmospheric factors;
- frost resistance;
- fire safety;
- low coefficient of thermal deformation;
- sound insulation;
- durability;
- profitability;
- simplicity of processing and installation;
- low price.
Asbestos-cement products have high strength indicators. They calmly support the weight of a person. This quality is characterized by both wavy material and slate flat. Sheet sizes, wave and other modifications do not affect strength.
Negative material quality
Flat slate, in addition to numerous advantages, has some disadvantages.
- The presence of asbestos in the composition of the material affects its environmental friendliness. To protect yourself when working with flat slate, you should use respiratory tract protection.
- Due to the poor water resistance during operation, the material may become covered with moss. To avoid this, when cutting and laying it should be treated with special tools.
- Slate flat sheet dimensions is impressive, and therefore weighs a lot. For example, a plate with dimensions of 1.75 x 1.12 m and a thickness of 8 mm has a weight of about 30 kg. This provokes difficulties in transporting and stacking the material.
Sizes of asbestos-cement sheets
Slate flat sheet size may have different. All plates have a rectangular shape. Deviations from geometric dimensions are possible, but no more than 5 mm. Weight depends on the size and type of material. Possible options are indicated in the table:
Length mm | Width mm | Thickness mm | Weight, kg |
3600 | 1500 | 8-10 | 70-115 |
3000 | 1500 | 8-10 | 59-96 |
2500 | 1200 | 6-10 | 39-64 |
2000 | 1500 | 6-10 | 48-80 |
1750 | 1130 | 6-10 | |
1500 | 1000 | 6-10 | |
Also often found is slate flat, the sheet sizes of which are: 1750x1130.1500x1000, 600x400 mm.
Flat slate is a wonderful material that is widely used in construction. When choosing it, you should pay attention to the marking in order to purchase a product whose qualities are ideal for you.