ISC Newsletter - August 2006

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Featured Stone - Bianco Sardo Granite
Bianco Sardo is an Italian granite that also goes by the name Luna Pearl. It is a coarse-grained, light grey granite of the Carboniferous/Devonian period. It's a very versatile stone due to its neutral color scheme, consistent pattern and frost resistance. It has been used as cladding on many important buildings around the world.
ISC has direct connections to the quarry and therefore offers the best prices, quality and availability.
Technical Data
Bending Strength: 12,3 - 14,2 N/mm²
Compressive Strength: 159 - 213 N/mm²
Water Absorption: 0,580 %
Apparent volume mass: 2,58 - 2,62 kg/dm³
Tensile load: 5,1 kN
Visit ISC's Gallery

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CE Mark for Stone - Standards in Europe
The CE logo, which stands for the French words 'Conformité Européenne' may seem familiar. It is typically found on electric devices, toys and appliances. Also, it has recently become compulsory in Italy for exterior-use stone products and roofing slates. In the near future, also cladding and flooring products as well as stone masonry units will be obbliged to carry to the CE mark in order to be exported without restriction in the EU.
To be able to carry the CE mark, stones must undergo the following lab tests:
* Flexing endurance (EN 12372)
* Atmospheric pressure water absorption (EN 13755)
* Apparent volume mass (EN 1936)
* Open porosity (EN 1936)
* Frost resistance and flexing endurance after 48 cycles (EN 12371)
* Slip resistance (EN 14231)
* Abrasion resistance (EN1341)
* Macroscopic rock description (EN 1341)
* Petrographic analysis (EN 12407)
Investing in the testing required to obtain the CE mark is one of the many ways that Italian stone suppliers are setting themselves apart in terms of guaranteeing the quality & safety of the stone they export.
Read a detailed article on European Standards for Stone Construction Products (pdf 491kb)

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.:NEW OFFERING:. Stone Care Products by FILA
Now available! A complete selection of stone maintenance products by FILA. In addition, ISC now offers its clients complete recommendations of how to care for 100's of types of natural stone.
FILA scientists are continually testing new stones to determine their optimum cleaning and maintenance regimens. FILA offers stone sealers, cleaners, polishers, crystalizers, waxes and stain-removers both for interior and exterior installations. They are recommended by over 100 flooring manufacturers and are certified ISO 9001:200.
FILA is an Italian company based out of San Martino di Lupari in the province of Padova, with offices worldwide. Their product labels and instructions are available in 11 languages. For more info, contact ISC
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