Types of artificial stone and their use in construction

Using stone trim elements - the phenomenon is quite popular.The building looks solidly, the life of the decorative stone is often very long.The only drawback is, in fact, is the high price.Artificial stone- perfect solution for a limited budget.

It is much cheaper,than natural, but at the same time, it is not inferior to the natural analogue either in decorative qualities or physical properties.And sometimes, synthetic stone even superior in quality natural.For example, it is 1.5 times lighter than natural.Moreover, in the structure of natural stone chips and cracks occur, which is not typical of artificial materials.

Artificial stone - the composite material obtained from metal oxides and acrylic compounds imitating natural stone and similar to them visually and physical characteristics.Materials artificial origin is often used for interior decoration and exterior decoration of buildings.

interior elements, which are made of artificial stone

• tables and countertops.
• sculptures.
• Fountains.
• benches.
• sills.
• mosaics and wall panels.
• fireplaces.
• Decorative fences.
• tile sidewalks.
• pristenochnoe bumpers.
• bar.
• Sinks.
• panels for the walls and so forth.

advantages of artificial stone

• Shock.
• absence of pores and cracks in the texture.
• Lightweight.
• long service life.
• hydrophobicity.
• Resistance to temperature changes.
• resistance to the influence of chemically active substances.
• Easy installation.
• low price.
• Aesthetics.

Disadvantages of synthetic stone

• Exposure to abrasive cleaners.
• Fragility, complicates the process of transportation (characteristic only for certain species).

Types of artificial stone

Methods for the production of artificial stone

calcined production method

This method involves the formation of a stone from a multicomponent mixture, followed by the influence of her high temperatures.Derivatives derived from baked clay (ceramic) are used in the construction industry to build pavements, construction of walls, ceilings and the creation of foundations, masonry fireplaces and stoves, chimney ventilation strokes, for decorative floors and walls.

Types of firing (ceramic) building materials

• ruggedized products (whole).Suitable for walls, paving and bridges etc.
• Combined (porous-perforated).They should be used in the insulation of the heating surfaces, as well as everything for the premises inside and for exterior facades with moderate humidity houses (but the walls, anyway, it is better to plaster and revet, referring to the presence of elevated hydrophilic properties of the material) and to fill the skeletons of high-rise buildings.
• Hollow.This type of building materials made of especially pure and more ductile clay of exceptional quality.Hollow bricks are usually fired at higher temperatures than the whole.Such kilns products also used for the construction of walls and Perestenko to fill the high-rise skeletons.It is advisable to choose such hollow blocks for laying concealed electric, telephone, and communication cables.

1. Hollow (multi-hole) brick.The bricks of the cavity perpendicular to the working surface, can have a different shape.Hollow brick is much lighter than the standard.
2. Wall ceramic blocks.Dimensions such stone blocks several times larger than the dimensions of standard bricks.Void in ceramic blocks can be internal and cross-cutting.On the smooth side surfaces sometimes make grooves, which greatly facilitates the subsequent installation process.

Bezobzhigovye production method

This method is based on a natural thickening of the formed raw material mass, or its solidification in special chambers under the influence of heat and steam.Another method - hot fill materials into the mold.

Types of artificial stones obtained Bezobzhigovye way

Silicate Materials

basic raw material for the production of this type of material - a mixture of quartz sand, water and lime.Silicate materials are five degrees of strength (75, 100, 125, 200, 250).Silicate materials are used in all the processes of the same building as the ceramic.The difference is the unacceptability of the use of silicate products in rooms with high humidity (bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas, gyms, etc.).You can not use them for decoration and hot surfaces (ovens, fireplaces, etc.).In its structure and size, silicate building materials are classified as:

1. Bricks single 65h120h250 (full-bodied and with a porous filler).
2. Thick brick 88h120h250 (full-bodied and with a porous filler).
3. 138h120h250 hollow bricks.
4. silicate concrete wall blocks.Such units greatly simplify the process of creating the foundation, walls and partitions.There is a gradation of texture and overall these products:

• whole - 188h190h390;
• longitudinal half-hearted - 188h90h390;
• partition - 188h90h590.

Concrete Materials

Basic mixture of artificial stone materials consists of a binder substance, aggregates, water and additives.This mixture is stirred easily, quickly thickens and hardens.To enhance the strength properties of the concrete can be reinforced with steel or synthetic fibers.

By type of applied binder concretes are divided into:

• Gypsum.
• Cement.
• Silicate.
• polymer concrete.
• asphalt concrete.

Rigid materials involved in the production of concrete (gravel, sand, expanded clay, pumice, gravel, slag, coquina et al.), Must be free of external contaminants, such as humus and clay.

kinds of stones, the most popular in the construction industry

Gres

Strong material, resistant to both high and low temperature, visually more similar to the glass-ceramic than to the stone.Obtained by pressing it under the influence of vibration or pressure with subsequent calcination.Basic raw materials: several kinds of clay, feldspar field, mineral additives and dyes.Polished, glazed, glazed, embossed, matte, glossy, structured tile is often chosen for the decoration of walls and floors, for the construction of ventilated facades, etc.

On structure distinguish:.

1. homogeneous porcelain tiles with a uniformly colored texture that retains the brightness withtime and hardly abraded.
2. Through dyed granite, whose structure is composed of two layers.The first - the base, the second (thinner) pigmented.This method of material reduces the consumption of relatively expensive pigments.
3. Glazed porcelain tiles - it's the same decorative tiles, only granite substrate.

agglomerates (conglomerates)

perfect imitation of natural materials such as jade, granite, marble, onyx, slate, lapis lazuli, and so on. Solid, frost-resistant materials, resistant to deformation resistance.The main components of conglomerates - a polyester resin, filler (crushed marble, quartz sand, granite, limestone, etc..) And dyes.The disadvantages of the agglomerates include exposure to abrasion, UV and impact of acid.This material is not suitable for arrangement of "warm" floor, asresin, which is a basic component, can be melted at high temperatures.However, today it is invented for special conglomerates such floors, which replaced the resin cement.Therefore, various products from the agglomerates are especially popular in construction.decor, countertops, bathrooms, varied cladding (facades, walls, floors, ceilings, stairs, pools and bathrooms).This is not a complete list of uses of this type of artificial stone.

Artificial stone on the basis of concrete

most popular material for interior and exterior finishes.The main components of the raw materials - cement (normal or Portland), sand, plasticizers, fillers (concrete block, pumice, ceramic chippings), reinforcing agents, water repellents and coloring.

Clay recommended at room decoration artificial stone

for interior decoration

• Tile adhesive based on cement.
• acrylic sealant.
• «Liquid Nails."

for external works

• Frost and water-resistant cementitious adhesive.
• Frost glue "liquid nails".

most popular offers from producers artificial stone

CORIAN

CORIAN artificial stone, created by the company DUPONT, a material that is ideal for home working surfaces.And it is the manufacturer, of course, it happened.The characteristic feature is the wide range of colors, the ability to process, the lack of visible seams.CORIAN - a type of artificial stone, commonly used for the manufacture of window sills and countertops, as well as for decorative kitchen wall, bathroom and other business premises.This material often involve for construction work and in public places (laboratories, gyms, medical clinics, beauty salons, cafes, railway stations, hotels and so on.)

Polystone

Artificial Stone Polystone - it's spectacular and rugged analogue of the naturalstone with improved physical properties of the resulting acrylic resin with the addition of aluminum hydroxide and substances dyes.This combination provides a uniform texture free of cracks and voids, i.e.the material does not absorb water and odors, does not rot and does not grow moldy.This means that its use in places with high humidity, it is quite justified.For this reason, experts recommend Polystone as decoration for hospitals, eating places, hairdressers, etc.This artificial stone is easily processed (cutting and polishing) at joining does not form a rough seams, a perfect match with wood and metal, which makes it possible to create exclusive items for interior decoration.Polystone resistant to mild acids and alkalis, ultraviolet radiation, as well as household chemicals.It is perfectly safe, not radioactive, does not emit odor.

Montelli

Another Corian from the company DUPONT, which is constantly seeking to expand its consumer sector, developing a new, more accessible products.So, Montelli - is a cheaper analog of the already above Corian stone.Reduced prices due to Chinese production, which enabled cheaper wage labor than in the US.At the same time, it is quite strong surface damage which can be restored by grinding.The excellent hygienic properties and affordable price Montelli allow its use in bathrooms and kitchens srednestaticheskogo inhabitants.