Properties of Gabbro
Gabbro is a type of intrusive igneous rock that is coarse-grained and primarily composed of dark-colored minerals, such as pyroxene and plagioclase feldspar. It forms deep within the Earth’s crust as molten magma cools and solidifies slowly. Gabbro is known for its durability and is often used in construction, as a dimension stone, and as a material for countertops and monuments.
The following table provides a list of gabbro properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).
Click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.
| Physical Properties | Metric |
|---|---|
| Density | 2800 - 3100 kg/m3 |
| Porosity | 0.3 - 2.7% |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 70.0 - 110 GPa |
| Tensile Strength | 15 - 30 MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 120 - 300 MPa |
| Modulus of Rupture | 14 - 55 MPa |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 4.8 - 6.5 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Thermal Conductivity | 1.7 - 3.0 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 720 - 780 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 5.4×10-6 1/°C |
Unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)
Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017. 3) A.M. Howatson, P.G. Lun, J.D. Todd, P.D. Engineering Tables and Data. United Kingdom: University of Oxford, Department of Engineering Science, 2009. 4) Stone: Building Stone, Rock Fill and Armourstone in Construction. United Kingdom: Geological Society, 1999.