With an accurate description of the mineralogy, texture and other microscopic features of the stone, a prediction of its chemical, physical and mechanical performance in service can be made. Depending on the application, other methods should also be used in conjunction with petrography for predicting the service performance of the stone. The value obtained provides some indication of the stone's performance in service, particularly its strength, durability and stain resistance. The water absorption value is also closely related to its inherent apparent porosity, i.e. the volume of open pores accessible to moisture within the stone. The flexural strength of the stone is critical in both the design and detailing of building facades, and also for use as a flooring material.
Flexural strength is a measure of the tensile strength when subjected to bending.
The test can be used to determine whether a wall or floor tile will crack or fracture under externally induced stress conditions. The impact resistance of stone indicates its ability to withstand cracking, indentations in the surface or surface chipping due to heavy blows, such as those caused by objects being dropped, or the impact of shopping trolley wheels at tile edges. The perception that stone is extremely hard and long-wearing is incorrect. Some stones are very soft and should not be used in areas of high traffic nor in areas close to external entrance ways, where loose grit or sand can be brought in, by shoes or wind, and ground into the stone's surface, unless appropriate measures are taken. Tiles with low scratch resistance will require higher levels of maintenance.