BS EN 16140:2019

What is BS EN 16140 – Sensitivity of natural stones produced by thermal cycles about?  

BS EN 16140 is the European standard on tests on natural stone to assess the resistance to thermal cycles. 

BS EN 16140 specifies a method to assess possible alterations of natural stones (mainly visible sensitivity to oxidation processes) under the effect of sudden changes in temperature (thermal shock). 

Who is BS EN 16140 - Sensitivity of natural stones produced by thermal cycles for? 

BS EN 16140 on natural stone test methods is applicable to: 

• Manufacturers of construction materials 
• Personnel of the laboratory to test natural stones 
• Geoscientists 

Why should you use BS EN 16140 - Sensitivity of natural stones produced by thermal cycles? 

Stone testing evaluates the suitability of a specific stone for a particular application.  

BS EN 16140 provides test methods for natural stones to determine the sensitivity changes produced by thermal cycles. The test consists of a total of 20 cycles giving the percentage of affected surface and intensity of change (colours). 

BS EN 16140 navigates you through the control measurements before cycling, description of the cycles and control measurements after cycling. 

BS EN 16140 describes an adapted thermal shock test for stones with finely dispersed, non-visible iron-bearing minerals, like some white marbles. 

Overall, BS EN 16140 guides you with thermal testing on natural stones used for measuring the decay of a stone and its resistance to failure from sudden extreme temperature changes over a short period of time and their flexural strength under a concentrated load.