Polymer concrete or artificial granite: properties and application

Recommendation points

• What is polymer concrete
• Advantages of polymer concrete
• Form for polymer concrete

The article describes a description of polymer concrete products, their advantages and composition. You will learn about the main components of this material, its operational and technical properties. We will tell you about the advantages of polymer concrete products, the properties of each component, and also indicate the price of each of them.

Polymers are rapidly conquering not only the finished product market, but also home workshops. Today, these products can not only be purchased ready-made, but also created literally at home. This option is often more convenient and beneficial. Individual elements can be combined and rather complex designs can be made according to individual sizes.

What is polymer concrete

This composition can be called concrete only conditionally. This term is used because of the exceptional strength of the products. The material includes an artificial analogue of epoxy resin and filler. As in other cases of injection molding, materials are assembled by the manufacturer, or rather, the production technologist.

As a rule, in a basic form, the composition varies from the following types of raw materials:

1. Casting resin is a petroleum product with polyesters. It is a thick liquid. The resin itself is inactive, hardening is extremely slow. An acid catalyst-hardener is used for the seal. Distinguish between standard (household), heat-resistant, chemically resistant and transparent resin.

Casting resin prices

2. Fine heavy aggregate – quartz sand. It is used for massive heavy products by adding it to the solution. Sand provides strength, weight and resistance to weathering. The main area of ​​application is the recreation of historical exteriors: railings, fountains, urns, statues, tombstones, etc. It is also widely used when installing a bulk polymer concrete floor..

Price for quartz sand TU 5717–005–58914756–2007 produced in Russia

3. Fine lightweight aggregate – poraver or similar. You can use crushed expanded clay. It is used for household products – countertops, sinks, as well as for transport equipment – ship and aviation bathrooms and kitchens. One kilogram of PORAVER material (made in Germany) will cost about 0.3 cu. e.

4. Coarse heavy aggregate – marble and granite chips. Products are obtained of exceptional beauty, strength and durability. The charge for this is the weight of the item. The material is not afraid of any overloads, temperatures and acids. Saunas, swimming pools, architectural monuments are decorated with it. Plumbing fixtures, bathtubs, sinks, polymer countertops with crumb look very expensive and serve an unlimited period *.

* Lifetime is not set in real time as the technology has been used for less than 20 years.

Prices for marble and granite chips

5. Reinforcing fiberglass mesh. Cost 1 m² suitable mesh – mesh 5-10 mm, thread thickness 0.5-1 mm, impregnation – will be about 0.1 cu. e.

6. Aluminum hydroxide is the “cement” for the entire solution. Essential for wrapping resin around the aggregate. The cost of this component is approximately the same due to the unchanged composition. The price is influenced by the distance from the place of production (transportation costs). On average, the price for the most popular ALOLT 01 product from Magyar Aluminum (Hungarian Aluminum) is 1.4 cu. e. / kg.

7. Gelcoat (gelcoat) – a finishing coat made of the listed materials, but without a coarse aggregate. It can have many appearance options. Sometimes focused on different types of resistance – wear, temperature, cracks / scratches, chemicals, etc. Sold separately.

Gelcoat price from different manufacturers

8. Composite granules or “chips” – decorative inclusions that give the surface a special look. This material is not included in the budget set of components and requires advanced production – accurate scales, vibration table – and more sophisticated technology. “Chips” are brought to order, it is difficult to find them in free sale.

The listed components are mixed in different proportions to impart the required properties. The result is not only general household products – baths, sinks, countertops, furniture, but also special and industrial products..

Advantages of polymer concrete

When creating new materials, engineers try to combine the properties of already known materials to create a new unique product. Polymer concrete rightfully deserves this title.

From plastic (polymer) he received:

• smooth, pleasant to the touch surface;
• relatively thin products, easy to install;
• easy and accurate processing, including hand tools;
• hygiene, ease of washing;
• simplicity of technology and purity in manufacturing.

From concrete, he inherited exceptional, incredible strength. It is impossible to indicate the exact figure, since it strongly depends on the specific manufacturer and the purpose of the product. But we can certainly say that the weakest (lightweight without reinforcement) polymer concrete in terms of strength is not inferior to wood. Reinforced composition on granite chips will compete with concrete and granite itself.

Polymer concrete sink tests on video

Form for polymer concrete

Typically, molds are called dies. The material of this form depends on the number of products that need to be produced:

1. From 1 to 10 – MDF, fiberboard, chipboard. By itself, this material is rather loose, but the easier its processing. Coated with varnish or release agent, it can withstand 10 fillings.
2. 10 to 30 – plywood. After 30 cycles, cracks appear, the plywood begins to soak, the quality is lost.
3. From 30 to 100 (small batch) – silicone, polyurethane. The mold can be made independently from individual components.
4. More than 100 (in-line production) – metal. Such forms are made to order in stamping shops. They are expensive but last a long time.

Craftsmen who make custom-made products, cooperate with turning shops, or create molds themselves. There are many courses available to teach this art. Yes, it is paid, but as a result, you can not only acquire a skill, but even open a profitable business.

The cost of a finished product made of polymer concrete, as in other cases, consists of the sum of the cost of components, labor and energy costs. In the case of do-it-yourself “home” production, the final cost will be equal to the cost of materials plus 10-15% for energy and related costs. In the next article, we will talk about how to create a simple polymer concrete product with your own hands in a home workshop..