Artificial stone is a general concept for various composite materials that externally imitate natural stones and are similar to them in their properties. Synthesized over 30 years ago, this unique material has gained fame and popularity. Products made of high-quality artificial stone, both visually and to the touch, evoke the illusion of naturalness, therefore, today decorative stone is used even more widely than natural.
What is artificial stone used for?
It is difficult to identify the full range of such products. This includes jewelry: artificial amber, pearls, turquoise. And interior items: fireplaces, sculptural compositions, panels and mosaics. And finishing materials for outdoor work: facing tiles , paving stones, decorative fences, fountains, street sculptures, benches.
Artificial stone is successfully used for the manufacture of furniture entirely or for decorative inserts imitating malachite, jasper, ivory and other valuable species. Countertops, bar and office counters, window sills, kitchen sinks are made of artificial material, indistinguishable from granite, travertine, marble, slate and other rocks . In a word, the scope of application of man-made stone is limitless!
The fact that this material is only an imitation of natural stone, cold and smooth, does not in the least detract from its merits. An imitation, of course, but perfectly executed, incredibly beautiful, flawless and cheap compared to the original. Artificial stone so naturally repeats the shape, color and structure of the natural prototype that only a specialist can distinguish them.
What is artificial stone made of?
The definition of "artificial stone" combines three types of products that differ in composition, production method and scope:
agglomerate
porcelain stoneware,
stone based on colored concrete.
Agglomerate is made on the basis of various fillers in the form of quartz sand or natural stone chips: limestone, marble, slate, granite, and other rocks. Polyester resins serve as a binder, and various coloring pigments are used to create a color scheme.
Artificial stones created in this way can imitate a wide variety of natural rocks, depending on the filler used. Agglomerates have good compressive and bending strength, high frost resistance, but at the same time they are inferior to natural stone in abrasion resistance and resistance to ultraviolet rays. The characteristics of agglomerates largely depend on the type of filler.
This material is mainly used for cladding furniture and creating interior items: bar counters, countertops, window sills, sinks, etc. Products from it look extremely natural, as if carved from a solid block of stone.
Porcelain stoneware is made from several types of clay, with the addition of feldspar, coloring pigments, mineral additives. The technological process includes vibrocompression under high pressure of the initial products and subsequent firing of the compacted material.
Porcelain stoneware is more similar in appearance to ceramics or glass. It is an extremely durable material that is resistant to temperature extremes and aggressive influences. It is difficult to process and restore, but has an extremely high degree of abrasion resistance. That is why it is used mainly for the construction of floors and stairs, sometimes walls are lined with it. The texture can be matte or glossy, polished, glazed, embossed.
The assortment of artificial stones based on colored concrete is not too large, but it is quite sufficient for finishing works both inside and outside buildings. For its manufacture, the following materials are used:
Portland cement,
filler (stone chips, pumice, expanded clay),
plasticizers,
hydrophobic substances,
reinforcing additives,
coloring pigments.
This material is especially in demand for decorating building facades.
The advantages of artificial stones
The high strength of artificial stone has been confirmed and proven by tests and years of operation.
The structure of any artificial stone has the same properties throughout the depth of the material. It is a very beautiful, homogeneous material that allows for numerous layout options for the implementation of design ideas.
Products made of man-made stone have increased moisture resistance and hygiene, they are not susceptible to mold and mildew attacks.
The material is chemically resistant to aggressive media.
Durability - products made from artificial stones are not subject to erosion from water and wind.
The non-flammability and low thermal conductivity of artificial stone makes it a fireproof material, suitable for facing fireplace stoves, etc.
Maintainability - almost any defects obtained during operation can be eliminated and the product returned to its original appearance.
The positive properties include ease of processing and ease of installation, which makes it possible to create decorative and finishing elements of any shape.
Man-made stone is an environmentally friendly material that is safe for humans.
What else? Reliability, lightness, plasticity, the possibility of seamless production of items, infinity of colors, free design, comfort and ease of maintenance.
All these characteristics of artificial stone make it possible to use it as efficiently as possible for a variety of purposes. In addition to the above characteristics, the advantages of man-made stones over natural counterparts include their significantly lower weight, the absence of radiation background, which occurs, for example, in granite, greater strength and durability, the warmth of touch, felt during tactile contact, instead of the "marble" cold.