Comparison of European (EN) and American (ASTM) Abrasion Resistance Test Standards on Some Igneous and Carbonate Origin Natural Stones Subjected to Foot Traffic

ABSTRACT: This study compared the results of European Union (EN) and American (ASTM) standards, which are used to determine the abrasion resistance of rocks subjected to foot traffic. The amount of abrasion that will occur due to the friction of pedestrians, especially in the floor covering areas of natural stones, is a crucial criterion in estimating the life of natural stones and deciding whether to use them. In this paper, the correlations between the results obtained by applying EN 14157 and ASTM C241 Abrasion Resistance Determination (ARD) standard test methods on some igneous and carbonate origin stones (limestone, marble, travertine) were determined. Moreover, statistical relationships between some rock properties and abrasion resistance values were investigated. In conclusion, highly reliable correlated inverse relationships were found between the two standard test methods. Statistically highly reliable equations have been proposed to convert a result from the ASTM or EN standard abrasion test method to the outcome of the reciprocal standard test method. The result of single-multiple linear regression analyses, statistically significant regression models with high prediction accuracies were derived (p-values 0.05; R2 ═ 0.79). In this way, unnecessary time and cost losses for unnecessary sample preparation and testing will be prevented for researchers, and it will help professionals and final users make quicker and more accurate decisions when choosing natural stone for flooring. 1. INTRODUCTION The appearance of natural stones, currently used in areas inside and outside buildings where pedestrian traffic is heavy in the natural stone industry, deteriorates due to wear and tear caused by friction (Fig. 1), and their repair or replacement causes a significant loss of time and money. To prevent such situations, the European Union (EN) and the American (ASTM) standard test methods are available to predict the amount of wear of natural stones due to friction. These standard methods (EN14157-ASTM C241) are entirely different from each other, and it is impossible to compare or convert the results obtained with each other. According to the results obtained, instead of natural stones with low wear resistance, use those with high wear resistance in places where friction is higher due to pedestrian and goods traffic, such as floors, stairs, thresholds, pavements, etc.