Marble On The Hardness Scale

It can also be used for metal.

Marble on the hardness scale.

Depending on the limestone and the mineral combination within the marble most marble rates from three to five on the mohs hardness scale. As a result marble is less porous and slightly stronger than limestone but still less durable than granite. Marble is limestone that has been compacted and heated over millions of years. On average it is 6 5.

This means that marble is less scratch resistant than granite. Created in 1812 by german geologist and mineralogist friedrich mohs it is one of several definitions of hardness in materials science some of which are more quantitative. The mohs scale of mineral hardness m oʊ z is a qualitative ordinal scale characterizing scratch resistance of various minerals through the ability of harder material to scratch softer material. Hardness is determined by the ability of one mineral to scratch another.

When black granite is measured on the mohs scale it falls somewhere between 6 and 7. For example a diamond can scratch granite while granite can scratch marble. If you check granite hardness on the mohs scale you will find it harder than marble and softer than quartzite. Marble has a mohs hardness scale rating between 3 4.

Because granite is between a 6 and 7 on the mohs scale it would be able to scratch other types of stone that have lower ratings such as marble. The translucence of marble makes it especially attractive for many types of sculptures. An example of the hardness of a granite countertop can be seen in the fact that a knife blade will not scratch the surface. As a result marble is easy to carve and that makes it useful for producing sculptures and ornamental objects.