QUESTION

How do I obtain MSDS and Material Data Sheets for Natural Stone? - Are there MSDS sheets available for polished granite slabs?

ANSWER

ANSWER - Generally speaking importers or quarries don't provide MSDS info (Material Safety Data Sheets) or product data sheets for stone.  Some will have product data sheets showing the respective ASTM physical properties, but not many even do that, as they should to verify the stone meets the ASTM requirements for a standard grade material.

Technically you would have to have at least a geological petrographic evaluation of that particular supply of stone to determine its composition. Even though the stone may have the same geological classification and name, its physical properties may be significantly different.  For small projects it may not be practical to afford the testing, but should be done on larger projects.  For more information, go to our Testing Services.

The closest thing to a general material data sheet for granite can be found on the Natural Stone Council website at http://www.genuinestone.com/env_researchandresults.php.  They have a Material Fact Sheet for Granite and other geological classifications of stone. Perhaps that will suffice for you.  Good Luck.