Compare artificial granite and artificial marble

Artificial granite and marble are materials that are used for the manufacture of small architectural forms, interior and exterior design details of buildings, countertops, bar counters, kitchen sinks, window sills, etc. Our experts have made a comparative analysis of the properties of these materials, their advantages and disadvantages, which will help you in case of difficulty in choosing a product from a particular material.

Note that we will compare materials that are obtained by casting from a mixture in which polymer resins play the role of a binder. This is due to the fact that there are other materials, also called artificial marble, that are made in other ways. Such types of artificial stone have properties that differ from those of cast granite and marble, and have other applications, so we will not compare them with them, but we will describe the features of such materials below.

Comparative table of characteristics of cast granite and marble

Disadvantages of cast granite and marble

Common disadvantages of cast stone products include:

1. risk of damage when washing with abrasives, scratching when exposed to sharp objects, such as when cleaning with a wire brush, chipping when heavy objects are dropped;

2. relatively high cost compared to other materials. For example, in the manufacture of sinks, stainless steel is also used, which is much cheaper;

3. high weight, which requires, for example, for countertops, bar counters or sinks, the construction of strong support structures.

As can be seen from the table, the characteristics of these materials practically describe their advantages, and most of the characteristics, including disadvantages, are the same for both types. Small differences concern only the abrasion index — it is higher for marble, and the characteristics of the effect of high temperature on one and the other material.

Conclusion: Cast marble and granite are similar in their qualities, there are only slight differences in favor of artificial granite, so the choice of one of the two materials is a matter of personal taste.

Manufacturing technology of products from artificial granite

Liyevy granite is made from a raw mix, which includes: acrylic resin as a binder, natural granite stone chips, quartz sand, hardening accelerators, and a pigment that gives the color of natural granite stone to finished products. At the same time, mineral fillers make up about 80% of the volume, the remaining 20% ​​are polymer binders and other additives.

The technology for manufacturing products from cast granite consists in the phased implementation of the following operations: preparation, dosage and mixing of the components of the raw mass, addition of a hardener and filling in forms. After the mold is filled, a chemical reaction of polymerization takes place under the influence of the additive, as a result of which the product hardens. Some products of complex shape, such as sinks or washbasins, are reinforced with fiberglass. After the final set of strength during the day, the finished product is released from the mold and polished.

Production technology of products from lime marble

The production technology of cast marble products is almost identical to that of granite. The only difference is that marble chips of different fractions are used instead of granite chips, and polyester resin is used as a binder instead of acrylic. Pigments of a different range of colors can also be used, giving the appearance inherent in natural stone. In the production of some types of products, especially sinks and washbasins, liquid glass is used, with the help of which a waterproof layer is created on the surface of the products.

Other types of artificial marble

Oselkovy marble

Gypsum artificial marble, or in other words — osselkovy stone, is made on the basis of a gypsum binder. Skin glue, water and pigments are added to the raw mixture, mixed and molded into products, which are polished after hardening. Oselkovy stone is used to make elements of interior decoration and decoration — borders, plinths, cornices, bas-reliefs, rosettes, facing tiles, etc. Pigments of different colors provide a coloring that mimics the appearance of different types of natural stone.

Artificial marble based on cement

Cement-based artificial stone products are made from a raw mix that includes: Portland cement, slaked lime, natural stone chips, quartz sand and water. From the concrete mixture obtained in this way, products are molded that are used in landscaping as small architectural forms — flowerpots, benches, fountains, urns, park sculptures, etc. Concrete artificial marble is also used to cover floors and stairs.