Properties of Schist

Schist is a metamorphic rock characterized by its foliated (layered) structure, typically formed from the metamorphism of rocks such as shale or slate. It consists of mineral grains aligned in parallel layers, giving it a banded appearance. Schist often contains minerals like mica, quartz, and feldspar, and its texture can vary from coarse to fine.

Image of a schist rock
Credit: CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a list of schist 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.

Table of Schist Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Density1500 - 3200 kg/m3
Mechanical PropertiesMetric
Young’s Modulus (E)15 - 70 GPa
Compressive Strength59 - 307 MPa
Thermal PropertiesMetric
Thermal Conductivity0.58 - 3.26 W/m·K
Specific Heat Capacity (Cp)774 J/kg·K

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.