See Also

Slate

Slate is a fine-grained, , metamorphic rock Metamorphic rock

Metamorphic rock is the result of the transformation of a pre-existing rock [i] type, the protol ... 

 derived from an original shale Shale

Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock [i] whose original constituents were clay [i]s or mud [i]s. ... 

-type sedimentary rock Sedimentary rock

Sedimentary rock is one of the three main rock groups and is formed in three main ways—by the dep... 

 composed of clay Clay

Clay is a term used to describe a group of hydrous aluminium [i] phyllosilicate [i] ... 

 or volcanic Volcano

A volcano is a geological landform [i] on the surface of the Earth [i] where magma [i] from th ... 

 ash through low grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering.

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Slate is a fine-grained, , metamorphic rock Metamorphic rock

Metamorphic rock is the result of the transformation of a pre-existing rock [i] type, the protol ... 

 derived from an original shale Shale

Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock [i] whose original constituents were clay [i]s or mud [i]s. ... 

-type sedimentary rock Sedimentary rock

Sedimentary rock is one of the three main rock groups and is formed in three main ways—by the dep... 

 composed of clay Clay

Clay is a term used to describe a group of hydrous aluminium [i] phyllosilicate [i] ... 

 or volcanic Volcano

A volcano is a geological landform [i] on the surface of the Earth [i] where magma [i] from th ... 

 ash through low grade regional metamorphism. The result is a foliated rock in which the foliation may not correspond to the original sedimentary layering.

Chemical composition


Slate is mainly composed of quartz Quartz

Quartz is one of the most common mineral [i]s in the Earth [i]'s continental crust [i].... 

 and muscovite Muscovite

Muscovite, also known as potash [i] mica [i], is a phyllosilicate [i] mineral [i] of aluminium [i] ... 

 or illite Illite

Illite is a non-expanding, clay [i]-sized, micaceous mineral. ... 

, often along with biotite Biotite

Biotite is a common phyllosilicate [i] mineral [i] within the mica [i] ... 

, chlorite Chlorite

The chlorite ion [i] is ClO2-. ... 

, hematite Hematite

Hematite or haematite is the mineral [i] form of Iron oxide [i], , one of several iron oxide [i] ... 

, and pyrite Pyrite

The mineral [i] pyrite, or iron pyrite, is iron disulfide, FeS2. ... 

 along with, less frequently, apatite Apatite

Apatite is a group of phosphate minerals [i], usually referring to hydroxylapatite [i], fluorapatite, an ... 

, graphite Graphite

Graphite is one of the allotropes of [i] carbon [i]. ... 

, kaolin Kaolinite

Kaolinite is a clay mineral [i] with the chemical composition Al [i]2Si [i]2O [i] ... 

, magnetite Magnetite

Magnetite is a ferrimagnetic [i] mineral [i] with IUPAC [i] name iron(II,III) oxide... 

, tourmaline Tourmaline

The tourmaline mineral [i] group is chemically one of the most complicated groups of silicate minerals [i] ... 

, or zircon Zircon

Zircon is a mineral [i] belonging to the group of nesosilicates [i]. ... 

.

Uses of slate


Slate can be made into roof Roof

The roof, the top covering of a building [i], is one of the universal structures found on all buildings [i] ... 

ing slates, also called roofing shingle Roof shingle

Roof shingles are a roof covering consisting of individual overlapping elements.... 

s
, because it has two lines of breakability: cleavage and grain. This makes it possible to split slate into thin sheets. Fine slate can also be used as a whetstone to hone knives. Because of its thermal stability and chemical inertness, slate has been used for laboratory bench tops and for billiard table Billiards table

A billiards table or billiard table is a table [i] on which carom billiards [i] games are pl ... 

 tops. In 18th and 19th century schools, slate was extensively used for blackboards Chalkboard

A chalkboard or blackboard is a reusable writing [i] surface on which text or drawings are made wi ... 

 and individual writing slates Slate

Slate is a fine-grained, [i], metamorphic rock [i] derived from an or ... 

 for which slate pencils were used.

Slate tiles are often used for interior and exterior flooring or wall cladding. Tiles are installed and set on mortar and grouted along the edges. Chemical sealants are often used on tiles to improve durability and appearance, increase stain resistance, reduce efflorence, and increase or reduce surface smoothness. Tiles are often sold gauged, meaning that the back surface is ground for ease of installation.

Slate is often used as a decor in freshwater aquariums. Slate will not alter the chemistry of water. When broken, slate produces a natural appearance while remaining relatively flat and can be easily stacked. Silicon glue adheres to slate, creating a non-toxic bond to secure it.

Traditional Go equipment uses slate for the black pieces.

Slate extraction


Slate-producing regions include Cornwall Cornwall

Cornwall is a county [i] in South West [i]... 

  and Wales Wales

Wales is one of four constituent parts [i] of the United Kingdom [i]. ... 

 in the United Kingdom United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a country and sovereign state [i] tha ... 

 , Portugal Portugal

Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic is located in southwestern Europe [i] on the Iberian Peninsula [i] ... 

, the east coast of Newfoundland Newfoundland

Newfoundland is a large island off the east coast of North America [i], and the most populous part o ... 

, the Slate Belt of Eastern Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] ... 

, and the Slate Valley of Vermont Vermont

Vermont is a state [i] in the New England [i] region of the United States [i], located in th ... 

 and New York New York

New York is a state [i] in the northeastern [i] United States [i]. ... 

. Granville, New York, of the Slate Valley claims to be the colored slate capital of the world.

Slate is also found in the Arctic Arctic

The Arctic is the area around the Earth [i]'s North Pole [i], opposite the Antarctican [i] ar ... 

 and was used by the Inuit Inuit

Inuit is a general term for a group of culturally similar indigenous people [i]s inhabiting the Arctic [i] ... 

 to make the blades for ulu Ulu

An ulu is an Inuit [i] woman's all-purpose knife [i]. ... 

s. China has vast slate deposits, in recent years the export of finished and unfinished slate from China has increased.

See also

  • List of rocks List of rocks

    This page is intended as a list of all rock [i] types.

... 


  • Skiddaw Slate
  • Tile Tile

    A tile is a manufactured piece of hard-wearing material such as ceramic [i], stone [i], porcelain [i]... 

  • Welsh Slate Museum Welsh Slate Museum

    The Welsh Slate Museum is located at Gilfach Ddu in the 19th century workshops of the now disused Dinorwig [i] ... 



External links

  • — bilingual site focusing on Welsh slate