Granite – igneous rock (result of the cooling and solidification of magma), basically formed of quartz (colorless material), feldspar (responsible for the variety of colors) and mica (gives the rock shine). Other minerals such as amphiboles (hornblende), pyroxenes (augite and hyperstene), olivine, zircon, among others, can also be found in granite.
This rock is a success in the field of civil construction because its set of minerals guarantees:
– High level of hardness (resistance to scratches and scratches);
– Low porosity and permeability (difficulty for liquids to permeate the rock);
– High level of durability
– Thermal stability (resistance to temperature changes);
– Variegation (variety of colors and movement)
Marble – metamorphic rock (originating from the physical-chemical transformation when exposed to high temperatures and pressure). The predominant mineralogical composition is calcite. Its color is more uniform with the formation of well-defined veins.
– Low level of hardness
– High porosity and permeability
– Thermal stability (withstands high temperatures)
Quartzite – metamorphic rock (originating from the physical-chemical transformation when exposed to high temperatures and pressure). Basically composed of quartz, the rock may contain other elements such as muscovite, biotite, sericite, tourmaline and dumortierite.
– High level of hardness (resistance to scratches and scratches);
– Low porosity and permeability (difficulty for liquids to permeate the rock);
– Thermal stability (resistance to temperature changes);
– Variegation (variety of colors and movement)