Slate is a group of roofing and finishing materials made from asbestos-cement mixture. They are strong, non-flammable, durable and environmentally friendly. The composition of slate is asbestos and cement - natural natural materials, the processing of which does not harm the environment.
Asbestos is a natural slate with a fibrous structure. So elastic and durable that it is used to make fireproof fabrics. Asbestos fibers are thin and long, which gives the products flexibility, fire resistance and tensile strength. By mixing slate with cement, roofing and facade materials are obtained that are not subject to corrosion, rotting, acids, high temperatures, with a service life of 30-40 years.
Types of slate
Slate factories produce flat sheets for finishing, corrugated sheets for roofs, tiles, sewer and water pipes. Conventionally, all asbestos cement products are divided into facade, roofing and technological.
- Roofing corrugated slate. These are thin sheets with a wavy profile and tiles of various sizes. Used for roofingpressed material with 6, 7 or 8 waves of natural gray color or dyed with polymer dye. Multi-colored slate is a novelty in the roofing materials market. In the recent past, roofs made of this material were not decorative. With the development of technology, slate coatings have become not only strong and durable, but also beautiful.
- Characteristics and application of flat slate. For facades, straight (without waves) asbestos-cement slabs of smaller thickness and weight are used than for roofing. They are used for ventilated facades, cladding of low-rise buildings, residential buildings. They produce pressed and non-pressed plates. For ease of installation, they are cut into squares or rectangles in accordance with the design project. Manufacturers provide additional services for cutting and coloring solid sheets according to the customer's parameters. Front plates possess frost resistance, shock resistance, multifunctionality. With their help imitate a front tile, slate, a tile. However, finishing slate is a capricious material that requires strict adherence to installation technology.
Sheet sizes
Wavy slate differs in width, thickness, number of waves. Flat material is measured by the size of the sides and density. To calculate the load on the load-bearing structures of the building, tables of the mass of sheets are used depending on their size. The weight of one square meter of material is calculated and, based on the data obtained, the details of the truss system, foundation and walls are reinforced. According to GOST flatsheets have a rectangular shape with a length of 3.6 m, 3 m, 2.5 m and a width of 1.5 m or 1.2 m. The thickness of the flat slate is 6, 8 or 10 mm. The mass of one product is from 35 to 115 kg, depending on the size and density.
| Sheet size, m | Weight of one sheet, kg | |||||
| pressed | unpressed | |||||
| 6 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 10 | |
| 3, 6 x 1, 5 | 70 | 92 | 115 | 64 | 85 | 104 |
| 3, 6 x 1, 2 | 56 | 74 | 92 | 51 | 67 | 84 |
| 3, 0 x 1, 5 | 59 | 78 | 96 | 53 | 70 | 87 |
| 3, 0 x 1, 2 | 47 | 63 | 77 | 43 | 57 | 70 |
| 2, 0 x 1, 5 | 48 | 64 | 80 | 44 | 59 | 74 |
| 2, 5 x 1, 2 | 38 | 51 | 64 | 35 | 46 | 58 |
Asbestos-cement sheets with a corrugated profile are produced with a length of 1.75 m and a width of 0.98 m, 1.125 m, 1.130 m, a thickness of 5.8 and 7.5 cm. For private construction, it is convenient to apply the classification according to number of waves.
| Width in meters | Length | Thickness in mm | Weight in kilograms |
| 6 waves | |||
| 1, 175 | 1, 75 | 6 | 26 |
| 1, 175 | 1, 75 | 7, 5 | 35 |
| 7 waves | |||
| 0, 98 | 1, 75 | 5, 2 | 18, 5 |
| 0, 98 | 1, 75 | 5, 8 | 23, 2 |
| 8 waves | |||
| 1, 13 | 1, 75 | 5, 8 | 26, 1 |
| 1, 13 | 1, 75 | 7, 5 | 35, 2 |
The thickness of the product depends on its strength and resistance to stress. In regions with an increased level of snow in winter, it is advisable to use slate with a thickness of 5.8 mm or more. In the southern regions, lightweight sheets of 5.2 mm are used for the construction of private houses.
Advantages of asbestos-cement sheets
Slate made from a mixture of asbestos and cement has been used in construction since 1901. During this time, its composition and the principle of production have not changed much. Modifications are made to the shape and appearance - dyes and effective cutting tools have appeared. The slate roof has become not only practical, but also beautiful, while retaining the benefits:
- Strength - asbestos-cement sheet can be walked on, it can withstand the snow load in the northern regions. Resistant to falling objects and gusts of wind.
- Fire resistance - does not burn, does not smoke, does not tolerate flame. Suitable for equipping roofs in children's institutions.
- Low thermal conductivity - the slate roof does not heat up in the sun and does not let the cold through in frost. In a house with suchthe roof is comfortable both in summer and in winter.
- Resistant to corrosion - does not rust, does not require the application of special protective compounds.
- Resistant to acids - in regions with unfavorable ecology, it retains its properties during acid rain without changing its shape, color and thermal properties.
- Does not conduct electricity, safe in thunderstorms.
- It has high noise insulation characteristics. Raindrops do not hit the roof, the noise from the street does not penetrate the house lined with slate sheets.
- Affordable - the cost of asbestos cement coating is 2-5 times lower than the price of popular roofing materials.
- Long-lasting - the average service life of a slate roof is 30-60 years, depending on sheet thickness, installation quality and operating conditions.
Flaws
- Carcinogenicity - slate is fraught with danger if made from amphibole asbestos. In most countries, the use of this mineral in construction is strictly prohibited because of its ability to settle with dust in the human lungs and poison the body. It has been proven that workers in asbestos factories suffer from cancer more often than everyone else. Russian slate according to GOST is made from safe chrysotile asbestos. However, it is difficult to check which mineral the roof is made from in private factories. Therefore, the use of asbestos-cement slabs is not recommended for interior cladding. When working with them, it is advised to observe safety precautions and protect the respiratory system.
- Weight - one square meter of slate weighs 9-17 kg. work with this materialpossible only with helpers or after cutting into several pieces.
- Fragility - when heavy objects fall or hit, it breaks into several parts. Requires special tools and fasteners for delivery and installation.
Slate roofs
Slate is widely used and popular as a roofing material. In view of these advantages, it is used everywhere and is produced at 11 factories in Russia.
Classic corrugated slate roofing is a common sight in all regions of the country.
The slate roof is able to support the weight of an adult, which greatly simplifies the process of installation, maintenance and repair.
Modern technology gives this material a fresh look while retaining traditional features and benefits.
Wall cladding with slate
When exterior wall cladding with flat asbestos cement sheets, homeowners emphasize its low cost, ability to imitate various finishing materials, ease of installation, durability and soundproofing qualities.
Straight slate sheets are used for wall partitions, sandwich panels, flooring, livestock and farming.
Fences and barriers
Slate fence does not burn, does not rot, does not deform, is not afraid of moisture, sun, heat and dropstemperatures. It's inexpensive, easy to install. It can be easily painted to match the overall design of the site.
Asbestos cement pipes
Slate pipes are used for drainage from the site, for wells, chimneys, drains, garbage chutes, heating systems.
Due to the variety of sizes and types of slate products from it are used in various areas of construction. Low cost, reliability and proven performance make it possible to recommend asbestos materials in the construction and decoration of private houses, including without the involvement of professional builders.
