Materials (Part 4)

Conglomerates are of interest to geologists and materials specialists. A conglomerate is a coarse-grained sedimentary rock that is composed of gravel-size clasts, e.g., granules, pebbles, cobbles, and boulders. Conglomerates form through different processes that cause the particles to consolidate and harden into rock. The finer materials such as sand, silt, or clay fill the interstices or gaps. This filler is called "matrix" by geologists. The matrix and other particles are often cemented by calcium carbonate, iron oxide, silica, or hardened clay.

Clastic rocks are composed of fragments, or clasts, of pre-existing minerals and rock. In cases where the rocks are composed of consolidated angular gravel-sized particles of rubble (usually from run off), the rock is called "Breccia."

Epiclastic conglomerates are produced by the physical disintegration (weathering) of preexisting rocks. The matrix is usually composed of clay, sand, particles of quartz, calcite, feldspar, hematite and clay cement.

Cataclastic conglomerates are formed by local earth movements, often along fault lines. or by the collapse of breccias into a sinkhole or in cave development.

Pyroclastic conglomerates are produced by the explosive activity of volcanoes. The heat and pressure fuse the particles. Volcanic rocks that have been transported and reworked through the action of wind or water are termed "volcaniclastic."

Phaneritic rock

This rock shows large interlocking crystals characteristic of intrusive 
rocks that cool slowly.

Cement is a human-made conglomerate comprised of sand and gravel aggregates with calcined lime and clay. It is mixed with water to form mortar or mixed with sand, gravel, and water to make concrete. Concrete is a mixture of broken stone or gravel, sand, and cement. In ancient times concrete often contained crushed seas shells.

Cement-matrix composites include concrete (containing coarse and fine aggregates), mortar (containing fine aggregate, but no coarse aggregate), and cement paste (containing no aggregate, whether coarse or fine).

The ancient Romans built extremely durable sea walls using a concrete made from lime and volcanic ash to bind with rocks. Rather than eroding in the presence of sea water, washed and wind, the material gained strength from the exposure. Scientists have discovered that elements within the volcanic material reacted with sea water to strengthen the construction.

Related reading: Scientists explain ancient Rome's Long-lasting concrete; How Ancient Rome's Concrete Has Survived 2000 Years