Distinguish 3 popular artificial stones: Quartz, Marble and ...

Distinguish Three Popular Artificial Stones: Quartz, Marble, and Solid Surface

Artificial stones have become increasingly popular for various construction and interior design applications. Among the most sought-after types are Quartz, Artificial Marble, and Solid Surface, each with unique characteristics and advantages tailored to different uses.

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Historically, natural stones like granite and marble have been utilized extensively in home decoration and wall cladding. However, their inherent drawbacks, such as susceptibility to stains, dull appearance, weight, and the risk of cracking, have led to the development of artificial stones. These alternatives combine aesthetic appeal with durability and are often engineered to outperform natural stones in many aspects.

Today, technological advancements have significantly broadened the design, color, vein, and size options available in artificial stones, meeting the diverse preferences of homeowners and designers. Below we detail three popular types of artificial stone:

Artificial Quartz(th, ar, ru)

Artificial quartz stone, known for its durability and aesthetic value, is produced from a blend of 93% natural quartz powder and 7% polymer resins, along with additives and colorants. Unlike granite, natural quartz is less suitable for large-scale construction due to its crystalline form. Quartz artificial stone offers the beauty of quartz with enhanced functionality for modern uses.

Its manufacturing process involves several critical steps, including the aggregation of quartz, blending with binders, and high-pressure molding. This procedure ensures the production of solid, uniform slabs that can be further honed for various applications.

Artificial Marble

Often regarded for its elegant appearance, Artificial Marble typically consists of 90% natural limestone aggregate and 10% additives like resin and colorants. The process for creating artificial marble mirrors that of quartz, with a focus on blending materials before molding into slabs. This stone has durability comparable to natural marble yet remains susceptible to heat and UV damage.

Artificial Solid Surface

Invented by Dupont, Solid Surface material combines properties that make it unique from natural stones, such as flexibility and waterproof features. This synthetic stone is often composed of alumina trihydrate (ATH), acrylic, and various resins, and is particularly well-suited for fixtures like sinks and countertops due to its seamless appearance and ease of maintenance.

How to Distinguish Between These Popular Types of Artificial Stone

While the appearances of these three artificial stones may seem similar at first glance, identifying them can be achieved through specific tests and evaluations:

Weight

Solid Surface materials are generally lighter than both artificial marble and quartz.

Durability

Quartz is more durable when compared to the other two, as it resists chipping and is not easily damaged upon impact.

Hardness

Using a sharp object to scratch the surface will reveal that quartz is the most resistant, while both artificial marble and solid surface can be scratched more easily.

Water Absorption

A simple water test will show that artificial marble absorbs water at a much faster rate compared to the other two types.

Surface Finish

Artificial marble and solid surface are typically more shiny and smooth, whereas quartz has a more muted appearance when backlit.

Stain Resistance

Quartz and solid surface materials repel staining substances better than artificial marble, which tends to show marks more prominently.

In summary, artificial quartz stands out for its low maintenance and cleanliness, while artificial marble and solid surface offer unique benefits that cater to aesthetic needs and applications.

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