Stone Assistance has developed new fast testing methods to characterize physico-mechanical properties of stones and other building materials based on alternative techniques on very small samples
which cannot be tested with standard normalized procedures. Semi-destructive techniques such as scratching, micro-drilling and micro-coring techniques are parts of the new methodology used to
characterize the stones. Strength, density, porosity, capillarity, permeability, hardness, abrasiveness, resistance to wear, friction coefficient are the most common properties which can be
determined. Other developments on impact resistance and fatigue are under development.