This is the ability of the stone to withstand wear and tear caused by abrasive movement. This measurement is especially useful for assessing whether or not a particular natural stone is suitable for use as a floor in a particular location. The wear resistance test examines the abrasive effect caused by the passage of people over a natural stone surface. This gives a more accurate indication than hardness of the suitability of the stone for use as a floor covering.
A distinction is made between two different types of wear:

• Visible wear;
• non-visible (or 'deep') wear.

An example of visible wear is the fading of the sheen on polished stone (there are standardised tests for this type of wear). It must be remembered that - irrespective of the basic hardness of the stone - there is always a risk that a polished surface will be worn away with use. The wear of polished surfaces is not only influenced by stone hardness, but also by a series of external factors, such as the intensity of use, maintenance, the presence of abrasive particles (grit, sand, dirt, etc.).
As far as deep wear is concerned, there now exists a new European norm based on the so-called Capon test (NBN EN 14157). Prior to this, the Belgian Amsler test was widely used (NBN B27-003). In practice, the relative newness of the Capon test (and consequent lack of data) means that the Amsler criteria are still frequently applied.

 

Wear resistance	Intensive collective use	Normal collective use	Individual use
Amsler (mm/1000m)	≤ 4	≤ 8	≤ 12