Luserna stone has been used as a building material for many centuries and is particularly suited to wall facing applications. It has been a feature of aristocratic architecture since the 17th century, in the paved areas of the royal palaces in Turin, Racconigi, and Venaria Reale, for example. Luserna also graces the famous dome, designed by Alessandro Antonelli, of the Mole Antonelliana in Turin, which now houses the national film museum. Slabs of luserna were inserted between the rows of bricks to strengthen the structure which was, at the time, the highest brick construction in the world.
Technical properties:
Chemical composition (% of weight):
SiO2 72.5-75.8
TiO2 0.1-0.3
Al2O3 12.7-14.1
Fe2O3 0.4-1.1
FeO 0.7-1.8
MgO 0.1-0.9
CaO 0.2-1.0
Na2O 2.9-5.4
K2O 2.2-4.7
P2O5 0.1-0.2
p.c.*0.5-1.6*p.c.= perdita per calcinazione
Physical and mechanical properties:
Apparent density 2620-2660kg/m3
Water absorption 2.99-3.00%

Natural compressive strength:
With load perpendicular to schistosity: 133-213 MPa*
With load parallel to schistosity: 76-186 MPa*
Compressive strength of test specimens subjected to freeze/thaw cycles:


Abrasion resistance:
Abrasion resistance in tribometer test 2.40-2.42 MPa
Abrasion resistance (referred to San Fedelino granite): 0.90
Impact strength:
minimum fall height 70-90 cm
coefficient of linear thermal expansion 0.0033 mm/m°C
*1 MPa= 10.2 kg/cm2