Testing & Analysis Services
We are Australia’s only NATA-accredited laboratory specialising in dimension stone. With 20+ years of experience, our team provides reliable stone testing and useful results in the fields of surface finishes, heritage, slip resistance, and facades and cladding.
Slip Resistance Testing
Stone Initiatives offers NATA‑accredited slip resistance testing in Australia, using AS 4586 and AS 4663 standards to assess surface safety and compliance.
Dimension Stone Testing
Testing assesses the physical properties of dimension stone, including strength, absorption, durability, and stability, to determine suitability, minimise the risk of failure, and guide appropriate material application.
Finishes Evaluation
Evaluates and tests floor and surface finishes, including slip resistance, stain resistance, sealer performance, abrasion and impact resistance, to ensure appropriate performance for a wide range of applications.
Ceramic Tile Testing
Testing assesses ceramic tile performance across key properties, including water absorption, strength, thermal behaviour, frost resistance, chemical and stain resistance, and slip resistance, with requirements tailored to the tile’s classification and intended application.
Mineralogical Examination
Evaluates material composition using petrography, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and microscopy to determine mineralogy, classification, and the presence of potentially deleterious components.
Facades & Cladding Surfaces
Provides testing of stone facades and cladding surfaces, including strength, stability, absorption and anchorage evaluations to verify fitness for purpose and performance.
Heritage Services & Mortar Analysis
Offering on‑site and lab testing for heritage structures, including mortar and coating analysis, moisture/salt surveys, diagnostics and conservation recommendations.
Failure Investigation & Expert Witness Services
Providing expert failure investigation and reporting, determining why stone or installation issues occurred and recommending corrective or preventative measures.
New Construction
Comprehensive project‑level stone testing from initial material evaluation through design and construction testing to ensure suitability, performance, and quality control.
Our Capabilities
Our capabilities cover a wide range of Australian (AS), American (ASTM) and International (ISO) standards, along with a suite of specialised SI-standard test methods developed by Stone Initiatives. We also have the knowledge and flexibility to develop in-house test methods for non-routine or unusual projects.
Stone Initiatives is Australia’s only NATA-accredited facility dedicated to testing and evaluation of dimension stone. All work is carried out in accordance with ISO 17025 requirements.
Our capabilities include, but are not limited to, the services listed
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Basic Physical Tests
- Water Absorption – ASTM C97M
- Water Absorption Under Vacuum – SI-WAV
- Bulk Specific Gravity – ASTM C97M
- Compressive Strength – ASTM C170M
- Flexural Strength –ASTM C880M
- Modulus of Rupture – ASTM C99M
- Resistance to Salt Attack – AS/NZS 4456.10
- Resistance to Acid (Sulphate) Attack of Dimension Stone – SI-ACR
- Warping of Dimension Stone Due to Thermal Gradient – SI-WTG
- Determination of Frost Resistance (Freeze/Thaw) – ISO 10545-12
- Abrasion Resistance – ASTM C1353
- Dimensional Stability (Temperature and Moisture) – SI-DIM
- Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion – SI-LTE
- Weather Resistance of Slate – ASTM C217M
- Soluble Salt Determination (Total Dissolved Solids) – SI-TDS
Finishes Evaluation
- Slip Resistance – AS 4586:2013 and AS 4663
- Skid Resistance – DPTI TSG Procedure TP345:2.1
- Accelerated Wear of Pedestrian Materials (slip resistance after wear) – SI-AWT
- Stain Resistance – SI-STN – Effect of stain on surfaces
- Sealer Evaluation – SI-STN – Resistance to stain after sealer application
- Evaluation of Loss of Polish – SI-LPT
- Measurement of Crack Density and Spacing – SI-CDS
- Impact Resistance – EN 14158
- Chemical Resistance – Effect of chemicals on surfaces
- Concentrated Static Load Capacity of Tiles on Pedestals – SI-CLCP
- Breaking Load of Segmental Pavers – AS/NZS 4456.5
- Evaluation of Stain Resistant and Water Repellent Sealers
- Adhesion Test – ASTM-D4541
- Bond Shear Strength
- Water Vapour transmission of materials – ASTM E96
- Warp testing – Measurement of deflection on exposure to wet
- Dimensional Stability – SI-DIM
- Coefficient of Thermal Expansion – SI-LTE
The SI-standard Suite of Tests (In-house)
Specialised test methods developed for the industry by Stone Initiatives
- Concentrated Static Load Capacity of Tiles on Pedestals – SI-CLCP
- Hard Body Impact of Tiles on Pedestals – SI-IHB
- Dimensional Stability – SI-DIM
- Coefficient of Thermal Expansion – SI-LTE
- Evaluation of Loss of Polish – SI-LPT
- Accelerated Wear of Pedestrian Materials (slip resistance after wear) – SI-AWT
- Petrographic Examination – SI-PET – polished or standard thin section
- Stain Resistance – SI-STN – Effect of stain on surfaces
- Sealer Evaluation – SI-STN – Resistance to stain after sealer application
- Soluble Salt Determination (Total Dissolved Solids) – SI-TDS
- Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity – SI-UPV
- Resistance to Acid (Sulphate) Attack of Dimension Stone – SI-ACR
- Warping of Dimension Stone Due to Thermal Gradient – SI-WTG
- Determination of Mineralogy by X-Ray Diffraction – SI-XRD
- Measurement of Crack Density and Spacing – SI-CDS
Analytical Testing
- Petrographic Examination – SI-PET – polished or standard thin section
- Whole Rock Chemical Analysis
- Bulk and Clay X-Ray Diffraction Mineralogy analysis of crystalline components
- Moisture Content
- pH Determination
- Microscopic Examination by Polished Section
- Total Dissolved Salt (Conductivity)
- Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity – SI-UPV
- Determination of Mineralogy by X-Ray Diffraction – SI-XRD
Heritage Services
- Identification and Matching of Historical Stone
- Analysis of Mortar and Render Samples – AS 2701-2001 section 7
- Analysis of Historical Paint and Wash Coatings
- Dilapidation Surveys
- Rising Damp Surveys
- Consolidation Trials
- Cleaning Trials
- Sand Analysis – Grain size distribution and morphology
Project Services
- Development of Quality Control Procedures and Specifications
- Quarry and Processing Facility Capability Evaluation
- Selection and Evaluation of Raw Blocks and Slabs
- Quality Control Testing
- Third-party Material Inspections
Non-Destructive Testing
- Rebound Hardness – Schmidt Hammer Hardness of building stone
- Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity – velocity of ultrasonic pulse through stone
- Dye Penetrant Crack Testing
- Visual Examination
Engineering Tests
- Strength of Stone Anchorages – ASTM C1354
- Concentrated Static Load Capacity of Tiles on Pedestals – SI-CLCP
- Hard Body Impact of Tiles on Pedestals – SI-IHB