Properties of Limestone (Hard)
Hard limestone is a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate minerals, typically calcite or aragonite. It is characterized by its durability and resistance to erosion, making it a dense and durable rock. Hard limestone forms over geological time through the accumulation and compression of marine organisms, such as coral and shells.
The following table provides a list of hard limestone 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 | 2100 - 2760 kg/m3 |
| Porosity | 2.6 - 20% |
| Mechanical Properties | Metric |
| Young’s Modulus (E) | 18 - 78 GPa |
| Tensile Strength | 5 - 25 MPa |
| Compressive Strength | 39 - 137 MPa |
| Modulus of Rupture | 7.4 - 12 MPa |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 2 - 5 |
| Thermal Properties | Metric |
| Thermal Conductivity | 1.67 - 2.15 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity (Cp) | 907 - 921 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (αL) | 9.0×10-6 - 2.2×10-5 1/°C |
| Electrical Properties | Metric |
| Electrical Resistivity | 106 Ω·cm |
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.