Investigation on the usage of different rock aggregates as abrasive materials in natural stone aging process

The process of giving an antique look, a worn and “old” appearance, to natural stone surfaces, which can be observed by abrasion in natural ways through a long time, is called artificial aging. Natural stone processing facilities that involve mass production usually prefer vibration aging machines. This study examines the utilization of various rock aggregates and abrasive residuals instead of synthetic abrasives used in aging machines. Natural stone samples with different properties were aged in a vibration aging machine using andesite, granite, sandstone, pebble stone, abrasive stone residuals, and ceramic abrasives. At the end of the study, the aging performance of different rocks was determined; granite was found to be the most effective. Rock aggregates were ranked in terms of their abrasiveness (aging) performance, from the most effective to the least effective as: granite, ceramic abrasive, sandstone, andesite, pebble stone, and abrasive stone residuals. It was observed that rock aggregates can be used in the aging process instead of synthetic ceramic abrasives, with desired performance.