Testing StonePly: Lightweight natural stone for private jets and commercial aircraft interiors

About StonePly for Airplane Interiors

Designers, manufacturers and outfitters of custom airplane interiors for private and corporate jets have found Stone Ply to be a useful way to introduce the luxury and high-end appeal of stone to their projects. StonePly is real natural stone, granite, marble, limestone or onyx on an aluminum honeycomb backing. StonePly offers a lightweight, strong and attractive real stone finish for airplane galleys, lavatories, flooring and tables. In addition to the beauty and uniqueness of natural stone panels for aircraft interiors, StonePly also offers custom marble and granite medallions, logos and emblems for use on floors, tables and partitions.

Testing StonePly for Aircraft Interiors

The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires certain materials be fire tested.  This page is a brief summary of StonePly’s test results and flame resistance abilities.  For additional information on testing of aircraft materials, refer to the “Aircraft Materials Fire Test Handbook” for a description of all FAA-required fire test methods for aircraft materials.

Fire Resistance of StonePly Lightweight Stone Panel for Aircraft Interiors

StonePly offers designers of aircraft interiors a non-flammable panel made up of a thin stone face bonded to a non-flammable aluminum honeycomb backing panel with a thin layer of high strength epoxy.

Vertical Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin and Cargo Compartment Materials 

Airplane Interior Test: Vertical Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin and Cargo Compartment Materials

Result: Passed

StonePly meets or exceeds the requirements of the test.  The tested StonePly aluminum honeycomb backed stone panels:

• Did not ignite
• Did not flame
• Did not drip
• Did not spread flame

Scope:

This is a test for airplane interior finishes. This FAA test method is intended for use in determining the resistance of materials to flame when tested according to the 60-second and 12-second Vertical Bunsen Burner Tests specified in Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 25.853 and FAR 25.855.

Samples were 3/4″ StonePly (1/4″ stone face and 1/2″ aluminum honeycomb), 3″ by 12″ samples.  

• Two samples of marble on aluminum honeycomb panels
• Two samples of granite on aluminum honeycomb panels

The StonePly stone panels were exposed to the flame from a 3/8-inch Bunsen burner with a 1550°F minimum flame temperature for 60 seconds.

Result:

No sample ignition, flaming, dripping or spread of flame.

The StonePly stone/aluminum honeycomb panel did not ignite, flame, drip or spread flame.

Airplane Interior Test: 45-Degree Bunsen Burner Test for Cargo Compartment Liners and Waste Storage Compartment Materials

Result: Passed

This is a test for airplane interior finish materials use in cargo compartments. It is a similar test to the vertical test listed above, except for the angle of the panel. StonePly stone panels meet or exceeds the requirements of the 45-Degree Bunsen Burner Test. Both granite on aluminum honeycomb and marble on aluminum honeycomb panels were tested. When tested, StonePly panels:

• Did not burn
• Flame did not penetrate any of the specimens
• Glow time of less than 1.5 seconds  (Less than the 10 second standard to pass)

Airplane Interior Test: Horizontal Bunsen Burner Test for Cabin, Cargo Compartment, and Miscellaneous Materials

Result: Passed.

This test method is intended for use in determining the resistance of materials to flame when tested according to the 15-second horizontal Bunsen burner tests specified in FAR 25.853. In this test, materials for airplane interiors are subjected to the flame of a Bunsen burner. Both StonePly granite on aluminum honeycomb and StonePly marble on aluminum honeycomb panels were tested.

Burn Rate: 0

• Did not ignite
• Did not flame
• Did not drip
• Did not spread flame

This document is produced in the interest of information exchange. While the contents are believed to be accurate and complete, StonePly assumes no liability for the contents, their completeness or use thereof.

For more information, visit StonePly.com, email info@stoneply.com or call 903-454 4630.

About StonePly

StonePly is the leading stone on aluminum honeycomb panel manufacturer. To meet its commitment to provide “any stone form anywhere in the world” StonePly maintains a global network of procurement in Europe, South America, Asia, Africa and the stone quarrying centers of the world. Offices, manufacturing and warehousing facilities are in Greenville, TX. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, StonePly is the oldest stone on aluminum honeycomb panel manufacturer and supplier under the same ownership.  Clients and commissions include NASA, The US Nuclear Regulatory Agency, US National Park Service, Rolex, Hyatt, Disney, Atlantis Resort, Four Seasons and others.

The post Stone Cladding for Aircraft Interiors appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

Cool granite, extravagant-looking marble, or virtually any other type of natural stone can be used to improve or complete the look of exterior building facades, retail storefronts, elevator interiors, flooring, and more. As a designer or other construction professional, one of the most important decisions you will have to make before you finalize your plans for a project is what type of natural stone material to use. Will you stick with traditional building materials and opt for solid stone, or will you give StonePly a try? The following points describe some of the similarities and differences between these two aesthetically appealing choices.

The Weights of Solid Stone Panels vs. StonePly Panels

Materials and completed architectural elements with heavy weights are typically associated with more labor-intensive and expensive handling, transportation, and installation. If you’re a contractor or other type of building professional, you know just how much working with a lightweight material can simplify things. The numbers below will show you just how dramatic the weight differences are between 1 ¾ inch granite cladding and StonePly panels:

• Solid stone cladding weighs approximately 27 pounds per square foot. StonePly cladding weighs between 2.5 and 3.3 pounds per square foot.
• A solid stone panel measuring four feet by four feet will weigh in at approximately 432 pounds. A StonePly panel of the same size will weigh about 54 pounds at most.

The Comparative Strengths of Solid Stone and StonePly Panels

In addition to weighing far less than solid stone cladding, StonePly is also much thinner. This does not mean that StonePly is weaker, however. The exact opposite is true. Consider the following comparisons:

• With an impact resistance of 1,500 foot pounds or 3,200 foot pounds, the maximum impact strength of StonePly panels is more than 50 times that of traditional cladding.
• The flexural strength of StonePly panels is superior to that of solid stone cladding.
• Unlike natural stone cladding, StonePly panels will not shatter.

Design Options for Solid Stone Slabs and StonePly Panels

A major upside of using natural stone is just how many looks, patterns, and colors are available. From deep black onyx to gleaming white marble with pink veining to complexly patterned granite, there are literally thousands of choices. Since StonePly is a thin layer of authentic natural stone attached to a substrate, the number of possible design variations is the same.

Finally, solid stone panels are unyielding, whereas StonePly panels are flexible. This means they can be used to cover flat surfaces, to create column wraps, and as a cladding for curved and rounded facades.

Learn More About StonePly

If you’re unfamiliar with our lightweight stone panels and our company, visit the StonePly website. It contains an overview of our consulting services, technical bulletins for our product, and photographs and descriptions of some of our most popular options. To arrange for a consultation and a no-charge personal quote, call us at 903-454-4630 or fill out the short form on our contact page.

The post StonePly vs Solid Stone appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

Brittle, hard, unbending, and unyielding are all words people commonly associate with natural stones such as granite, marble, and onyx. Because of these properties, the structures and elements that can be beautified and protected with natural stone cladding have traditionally been ones that are flat. With traditional stone cladding, bending inevitably leads to breaking.

With StonePly’s flexible stone panels, it’s possible to add authentic natural stone cladding to curved, slightly rounded, bent, and arched elements and facades. Stone facades no longer have to be flat, and that can help you bring any architectural design to a whole new level.

Applications for Curved StonePly Natural Stone Panels

Our curved natural stone panels are the perfect covering for building exteriors that have daring rather than flat forms, as well as outdoor accents that are used to add aesthetic appeal. Versatile and lightweight StonePly natural stone panels can be used as a cladding for curved:

• Facades
• Soffits
• Canopies
• Fascia
• Cornices
• Accent bands

Why Choose Curved Natural Stone Panels From StonePly Instead of Traditional Stone Cladding?  

The most basic answer to the question above is that traditional stone cladding cannot be bent without breaking or shattering. Therefore, it is unsuitable for the curved and gradually rounded areas that are integral components of the exterior design of many of the country’s most architecturally stunning high-rise buildings, retail complexes, office towers, hospitals, and other structures. The functionality of curved natural stone panels isn’t their only advantage, however. Consider that:

• Curved StonePly panels are made with real stone
• Our curved panels are much lighter than traditional stone panels
• Curved panels by StonePly are shatter-resistant and strong
• Our curved panels can save you time and money during the installation process
• Curved natural stone panels can often be installed over existing cladding

Choices For Curved StonePly Natural Stone Panels

In addition to having a large number of potential uses, our curved natural stone panels can be produced using almost any type of stone with practically endless color and pattern variations. Here is a small sampling of our more than 3,500 possibilities for curved StonePly natural stone panels:

• Autumn Brown granite from Canada
• Thasos marble from Greece
• Travertino Romano travertine from Italy
• Imperial White granite from India

Find Out More About Our Curved StonePly Natural Stone Panels

At the StonePly website, you’ll find technical information, photographs of some of our stone options, and a description of our design and production process. To arrange a free initial consultation and get a personalized quote for your exterior cladding project, call us at 903-454-4630. If you prefer, you can also visit the contact page on our site and fill out the short form.

The post Curved StonePly Natural Stone Panels appeared first on Stone Panel Information.

The post Defects Found In Stone appeared first on Stone Panel Information.