MATERIAL DATA SHEET

Slate wall cladding (10mm, 20mm, 30mm)

Metamorphic
mineral › Stone › Metamorphic
mineralstonemetamorphicslatecladdingnon-combustiblenatural-stonefacadewall-systemheritageBAL-FZ
ATLAS CODE
MIN-STN-MET-005
Slate wall cladding (10mm, 20mm, 30mm)
Category mineral
Material Family Stone
Regulatory Status non-combustible
Density
2750 kg/m³
Carbon (A1-A5)
0.06 kgCO₂e
Fire Class
non-combustible
Lifespan
100 yrs
Description

Slate wall cladding is a fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock derived from shale through low-grade regional metamorphism. Characterised by its distinctive slaty cleavage allowing splitting into thin sheets, slate provides superior weatherproofing with water absorption below 0.4% (AS 4456.11). The material offers 100+ year service life with minimal maintenance, natural fire resistance (AS 1530.1 non-combustible), and excellent resistance to UV exposure, salt spray, and freeze-thaw cycles. Available in natural grey, green, purple, and black tones.

Primary Sectors
[Commercial]
Typical Uses
  • External wall cladding (rainscreen systems)
  • Interior feature walls
  • Facade systems for commercial buildings
  • Heritage building restoration
  • Bushfire-prone area cladding (BAL-FZ)
  • Marine environment applications
  • Ventilated cavity wall systems
  • Architectural accent panels
Recycled Content 0
Renewable Content 0
Recyclability 100
Embodied Carbon 0.06 kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 1 MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
Exceptional durability (100+ year lifespan)Non-combustible (AS 1530.1 compliant)Extremely low water absorption (<0.4%)Natural aesthetic with colour variationResistant to UV, frost, and chemical degradationSuitable for all Australian climate zonesBAL-FZ rated for bushfire zones100% recyclable natural materialLow maintenance requirementsExcellent acoustic properties
Cautions
High initial material cost ($150-400/m²)Requires specialist installationLimited Australian quarriesHeavy weight requires structural considerationNatural variation in colour and textureBrittle - susceptible to impact damageCan delaminate if poor qualityRequires careful detailing at penetrationsHigher embodied energy if imported
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TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES MIN-STN-MET-005
Density (Dry) 2750 kg/m³
Specific Gravity 2.75
Porosity 0.5 %
Water Absorption 0.3 %
Hardness 3.5
Surface Roughness 0.5 μm
UV Resistance excellent
Chemical Resistance excellent
pH Tolerance 3-11
Compressive Strength 45 MPa
Tensile Strength 12 MPa
Flexural Strength 38 MPa
Shear Strength 15 MPa
Elastic Modulus 60 GPa
Impact Resistance moderate J/m
Bearing Capacity 35 kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.25
Creep Resistance excellent
Abrasion Resistance 10
Thermal Conductivity 1.6 W/mK
Thermal Resistance 0.006 m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 760 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 9 μm/m·K
Melting Point 1200 °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 28
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.02
Optical
Light Transmittance 0 %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 20 %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 15

Slate has been used in Australian construction since colonial times, particularly in heritage buildings across Victoria and Tasmania. Welsh slate dominated the 19th-century Australian market, establishing quality benchmarks still referenced today. Local quarrying was attempted in several locations, but limited geological deposits restricted commercial viability. Modern applications have evolved from traditional roofing to sophisticated rainscreen cladding systems, with Spanish and Brazilian slate now competing with Welsh imports. The introduction of AS 4456.11 in 2003 established specific Australian testing requirements for slate, ensuring quality control for imported materials. Contemporary fixing systems have revolutionised installation efficiency whilst maintaining the material's heritage aesthetic appeal.

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SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION MIN-STN-MET-005
Flame Spread Index 0
Smoke Developed Index 0
Combustibility Class non-combustible
Fire Resistance Rating non-combustible hours
Heat Release Rate 0 kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion none
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 0.06 kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 1 MJ/kg
Water Footprint 150 L/kg
EPD Available No
Recycled Content 0%
Renewable Content 0%
LEED Points 2
Circular Economy Score 8 /100
VOC Emissions 0 g/L
Skill Level specialist
Crew Size 3
Installation Time 15 hr/m²
Curing Time 0 hours
Setting Time 0 min
Temperature Range -20 to 50 °C
Humidity Range 0-100 %
Required Tools
Diamond blade wet sawSlate ripperDrilling equipment with masonry bitsSpirit levels and string linesStainless steel fixing bracketsTorque-controlled drill
Certifications Required
White Card (construction induction)Working at HeightsSpecialist cladding installer certification recommended
Weather Limitations
Avoid installation in high winds (>40km/h)Protect from rain during installationNo temperature restrictions
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COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY MIN-STN-MET-005
Material Cost 150-400
Installation Cost 80-150
Annual Maintenance 2
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) 400
Market Availability moderate
Lead Time 4-12 weeks weeks
Design Life 100 years
Warranty Period 30 years
Maintenance Interval 10 months
Service Temp Range -40 to 80 °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance excellent
Dimensional Stability excellent
Certifications Held
AS 4456 series - Masonry units and segmental paversAS 4456.11 - Methods of test for slateCE marking for imported productsNatural Stone Sustainability Standard (NSC 373)Potential for Green Star materials creditsNo health hazards in serviceSilica dust management during cutting (Safe Work Australia)
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.1 - Methods for fire tests - CombustibilityAS 1530.3 - Simultaneous determination of ignitabilityAS 3959 - BAL-FZ compliant
Standards Compliance
NCC 2022 Section F3 (Roof and Wall Cladding)NCC C2D10(5) - Non-combustible materialsDeemed-to-Satisfy via AS 3700ASTM C121 - Water Absorption of SlateASTM C120 - Flexure Testing of SlateASTM C217 - Weather Resistance of SlateISO 13006 - Ceramic tiles definitionsISO 10545 - Test methods (where applicable)EN 12326 - Slate for roofing and claddingEN 1936 - Natural stone test methods

DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.

ID: MIN-STN-MET-005 Schema: v3.0
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