slate is there an alternative?

[Particle Physics]

The central issue is warp. Slate generally doesn't warp. This is very important. Any composite material based on wood will alter over time. Melamine has been tried with mdf, chipboard, plywood etc; fail. So it's a none starter. Other materials such as steel would be even more expensive to produce for the thickness and support required. One could use a plastic such as lexan but again, expensive, no added benefits either. Ceramics such as glass would be good, but expensive and even heavier, and the surface can chip easily. So that's metals, plastics and ceramics out. What's left? Slate.

Slate is great because it can be recycled into lots of interesting objects once the table has had it's day, e.g. bespoke coffee tables, surfaces, worktops, fireplaces, tiles, paving, etc. No landfill necessary.