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Marble stairs: how to decorate the interior with natural stone. We make artificial marble with our own hands Video: artificial marble with our own hands

For centuries, marble has been used to decorate the interior and exterior of homes. This breed is a rare and expensive natural material that not everyone can afford. The latest developments in the field of construction have created an unusual finishing product - concrete marble, which can be made even at home.

Properties of artificial stone

A number of undoubted advantages can make artificial stone the most popular material for finishing indoors and outdoors. The material imitates the shape and structure of a natural mineral. Thanks to the ability to use a wide palette of colors for painting concrete, you can get concrete panels various shades.

Artificial marble has excellent physical and chemical qualities. It has durable properties. The material is not subject to deformation when exposed to high and low temperatures. It does not burn, so its use is important for finishing stoves and fireplaces.

The stone has low thermal conductivity and can serve as additional thermal insulation for the facade. Another undoubted advantage is that it does not conduct electricity. It is often used to insulate and decorate ovens, radiators and other electrical devices.

The unique color and pattern do not fade under ultraviolet rays. The material is well resistant to moisture. Due to its durable properties, concrete objects can last long term. If cracks appear, unnatural marble can be easily restored and returns to its original state. appearance. In addition, it does not emit toxic substances into the atmosphere, which indicates a high level of environmental friendliness. Its production process does not leave waste, so the use of concrete stone is effective and profitable.

When all the ingredients are mixed, the resulting mixture can take any shape. The connection of its parts occurs according to the principle of puzzles. All joints are securely bonded to each other using adhesives and provide high strength to the entire surface.

Artificial stone is lightweight in contrast to natural mineral, so it is easier to process and install. Typically, the material is created according to the initially specified parameters. Natural marble requires additional polishing and trimming before installation.

Application area

The material externally accurately imitates the pattern of natural rock, but unlike it, it has an affordable price. It is 8-10 times cheaper and its performance properties are not inferior to natural rock.

Finishing with this building product will add chic and sophistication to the interior and facades of the building. For arranging surfaces indoors, it is used as Alternative option ceramic tiles, as flooring, making sinks and countertops, fountains or decorative sculptures, installing bar counters, fireplaces and much more.

How to cook it yourself

The technology for producing the material is not difficult, so marble from concrete can be easily prepared by yourself. Before you start manufacturing, you should study the specifics this process, then prepare all the necessary components.

To mix the panels you will need the following materials:

  • cement marked M400 or M500;
  • polyurethane mold or matrix (any plastic container will do);
  • plasticizer S-3 - a special solution that increases the strength of concrete;
  • water;
  • fine sand;
  • polyethylene film;
  • a pigment that will not dissolve in water (oil paint will do);
  • fine gravel, pebbles or ceramic chips as filler;
  • drill with mixer attachment.

All ingredients are mixed at home. At correct observance After all the nuances of production, the resulting material will be so similar to natural marble that at first glance it will be difficult for an uninitiated passerby to determine what the object is made of.

To make a stone you will need plastic molds. You can purchase special products or make them yourself. To make a window sill, a regular tray of the required size will do.

If there is no suitable container, you can make them from plastic panels. To do this, the sheets are fastened together.

Production technology

After preparing all the necessary components, you should begin preparing the mixture. All work is done in a clean container. The mixing solution has standard proportions of 1 to 3 parts. Fine sand is added to dry cement, which is pre-screened.

This must be done through a fine mesh so that the solution is homogeneous in consistency. Then the filler is mixed. Small pebbles or crushed stone are most often used as it. In addition, you can use crushed expanded clay, pumice or ceramic chips.

Creating Color

According to technology in ready solution coloring pigment is added. It does not need to be thoroughly mixed. On the contrary, in order for the artificial stone to be more like a natural mineral, the composition should be made as heterogeneous as possible. Paint of several shades is often added to create an unusual pattern on the poured object. Various bends, streaks, convolutions, dots or spots may appear on it. At this stage, you can give free rein to your imagination. Mixing colors in a variety of ways can lead to unexpected results. The amount of pigment should be 1% of the dry mass.

After introducing the pigment into the solution, it must be shaken thoroughly. Typically a vibrating table is used for this. For frequent use, you can make it yourself. But if the artificial stone is being made for the first and only time, then it is enough to shake the resulting mixture with your hands.

Next, water is added at a rate of one to two in relation to the dry component. First, about 80% of the solvent is poured in, everything is thoroughly mixed. Then a plasticizer is introduced, which serves to enhance the strength of the future object.

This element must constitute at least 1% of the total mass. Mix everything again and leave it alone for a few minutes. The material becomes plastic and viscous. After this, pour in the remaining 20% ​​of water and distribute throughout the entire composition.

Then the prepared solution is poured into pre-prepared molds. Cover it with plastic wrap on top and leave until completely hardened. To increase the strength of the material in liquid mixture A metal reinforcing mesh is placed.

After hardening, the finished panels are removed from the molds and subjected to thorough sanding. For this purpose, special equipment can be used diamond blades. After treatment, the surface becomes even and smooth.

The manufacturing technology must be strictly followed. If you skip any stage, marble from concrete may not meet the quality.

Before installing the manufactured panels, it is necessary to prepare and clean the surface on which the installation will be carried out from climatic precipitation. This must be done with special care.

Various materials and products made from cultured marble made from concrete are considered to be as attractive, elegant, durable and durable as similar items made from real natural rock. The production of this product in Russia first began more than 30 years ago, during which time it has been improved and reached a high level. It copies the appearance of the stone so accurately that the untrained eye cannot distinguish the imitation.

Natural stone is an expensive pleasure, especially if you want to make a countertop or shower tray out of it, and therefore artificial marble with your own hands seems more profitable option. Moreover, there are quite a lot of ways to obtain a reliable imitation, using a variety of, sometimes quite unexpected, components and technologies.

How to make artificial marble with your own hands

What is the stone we are interested in? It has a heterogeneous color, most often with veins penetrating the entire thickness, and a granular-crystalline structure. The color can be snow-white, pink, blue, black or gray. Less common colors: red, purple, green, yellow. The easiest way to create the illusion of marble is with gypsum, which produces a dense, non-porous mass. However this option not acceptable if you need a countertop or cladding in a room with high level humidity. Therefore, let's consider alternative ways, allowing you to make artificial marble with your own hands.

The simplest technology is casting in molds from cement-sand mixture. Cast marble is durable, waterproof and, most importantly, looks very similar to the real thing. However, it should be taken into account that thin tiles will be quite fragile, and thick ones will be heavy. As a result, a tabletop can be made from such an imitation, but the body of the furniture must be very massive to withstand the weight stone slab. A thinner version can be made using the wooden plane of the table itself as a basis. Next we will look at both options.

Almost real artificial marble: manufacturing technology

What do we need to end up with a slab of cast stone that is practically indistinguishable from natural stone? First of all, a polyurethane mold, sand and cement in a ratio of 2:1, respectively, water (a fifth of one share of cement) and pebbles as a filler. You will also need a dye (1% of the cement share) and a plasticizer in the same amount. In order for the technical process to be successful, we stock up on plastic film, construction mixer, a mixer or a special attachment for a drill, as well as a spatula and a short rule.

Manufacturing technology of real artificial marble - step-by-step diagram

Step 1: Preparation

We thoroughly wash and dry the mold, which can be of any size, for example, just for work surface kitchen wall. We prepare the solution by combining cement, sand and pebbles in a dry state, thoroughly mixing the components. Pour in 80% of the stored water, as well as the plasticizing composition, and continue kneading, achieving the highest possible homogeneity of the mass. We add the remaining water and, in unequal portions to different sectors of the container, the dye in order to achieve the least possible uniformity of subsequent mixing of the color with the solution.

Step 2: Filling out the form

As soon as the dye has dispersed through the cement mass in thin veins, the composition is ready, and you can begin the most important phase of the technical process. We take the mold, place it on a completely flat surface to prevent bending of the bottom or walls, and pour the solution into it. Using a spatula, we clean the edges of the mold from any excess that could affect the smoothness of the slab, then smooth the surface of the mass using a rule and cover it with polyethylene.

The larger the slab artificial stone, the higher the likelihood of its failure due to internal voids. Therefore, if possible, you should use a vibrating table, and if this is not available, when mixing, try not to lift the mixer from the mass so that air bubbles do not form.

Step 3: Getting the finished artificial stone

After approximately 10 days, the hardening of the mass poured into the mold will end, and there is no need to interfere with the process, as other works with cement require. For example, regular moistening of the surface is not required due to the fact that the solution is covered with polyethylene, which prevents rapid evaporation of the liquid. When the slab has completely hardened, carefully lift it, turn it over and, like a cover, remove the mold from the finished tabletop.

To obtain artificial marble, the manufacturing technology does not have to be complicated; everything can be done in an apartment. The output is a product with low porosity and high resistance to humid environment and various household chemicals. If necessary, polish the slab using transparent polish and alcohol, alternating between surface treatments. In this case, you should first treat it with alcohol, then, after drying, with polish, and, without waiting for it to dry, we again take up the swab moistened with alcohol.


How to make an illusion faux marble

If you want imitation stone to cover an elegant coffee table, the previously described technology will have to be abandoned, since it is unlikely that thin wooden legs will withstand the load of a multi-kilogram slab. Instead, the easiest way is to use paints to partially turn the table itself into marble by painting the appropriate stains on it. To do this, you will need a jar of paint for the background, for example, white or green, as well as a small container of color for the pattern. It would be more correct to draw black or gray stripes on a white background, and white stripes on a green or black background.

Before making artificial marble, all cracks and chips on the surface, if any, are filled with a special water-based wood filler. Next, we moisten the tabletop with a spray bottle so that the swollen fibers reveal all the roughness, and, after the 30 minutes required for drying, we sand it as best as possible to a smooth state. Then, having cleaned the surface, we proceed to painting and apply two background layers with the interval necessary for the first of them to dry. To avoid streaks, it is better to use a brush or foam pad. After two hours, you can begin applying the texture pattern.

The pattern of marble is familiar to many; sometimes it resembles zigzags of lightning on a surface speckled with many grains, and sometimes it looks like randomly intersecting cracks. All this is not difficult to depict with a pen brush, with which you can change the thickness of the line. After waiting 5 minutes, mix a small amount of white paint with a transparent polyacrylic coating. Having dipped a wet sponge into the mixture (be sure to remove excess mixture from it), we follow the drawing without pressing hard and thus shade the lines, making them more blurry. After another 5 minutes of drying, wipe the surface with a clean cloth, mixing the colors with light touches. Another 30 minutes of drying and we take up the feather brush again, emphasizing the previously applied and already modified pattern.

After two hours, when the surface has already dried well, we take a thoroughly mixed polyacrylic coating and cover our “marble” with a thin transparent layer. It is advisable to leave the tabletop for a long time after this to allow the film to harden thoroughly. Next, you need to polish the surface with the finest sandpaper, clean it with a damp sponge or cloth and, after letting it dry, treat it again with polyacrylic. Again, we leave the almost formed imitation stone to dry for 2-3 hours, then polish and wipe again. We apply last layer transparent coating, wait for it to harden (2-3 hours), and finally polish it, after which we forget about our piece of furniture for about a week.

Finishing work using natural stone is a very expensive pleasure. Choosing natural marble of the appropriate tone is quite problematic. Mastering the production of artificial marble with your own hands is not very difficult. Important point in the manufacture of artificial marble - a correctly made mold for casting.

In fact, artificial marble, the manufacturing technology of which is outlined in this article, is an alloy of acrylic resins and mineral fillers. This material has sufficient strength, and when making artificial marble with your own hands, it can be given the desired shape. This could be a countertop for the kitchen or for a bar counter, steps, a sink, a sink or an original vase for the garden.

Composition and special properties of artificial marble

The main components of cast marble are polyester resin and pigment mineral dyes and hardeners. Having mastered the mixing technique, you can get streaks and stains that are practically indistinguishable from stains and veins on natural marble.

  1. The material is non-flammable and dielectric, i.e. does not conduct electric current, so it can be used in any finishing works no limits. Resistance to alkaline preparations and chemical solvents contributes to its hygiene and allows it to be used as countertops and kitchen sinks.
  2. The composition of cast marble has a homogeneous structure, does not delaminate, is resistant to corrosion and is environmentally friendly pure material. External surface cast marble - gelcoat, has a decorative - protective functions. The filler is polyester resin mixed with multi-colored mineral chips and pigment dyes. To obtain a durable mass, a hardener is added.
  3. More simple methods the manufacture of artificial marble involves the use of cement as a filler - concrete mixtures and crushed stone. Pebbles, quartz fine crushed stone and tinted sand are often used.

Manufacturing technology of artificial marble with concrete filler

This method is very simple and affordable, both in terms of manufacturing technology and costs. Due to this, this method is widely popular. Countertops and kitchen boards They are highly durable, and environmentally friendly materials are used in their production.

  1. First of all, you will need a form (matrix) made of polyurethane, plastic, gypsum or other suitable material. You can make a frame from a corner or wood, and make the bottom glass. It is important that the surface of the casting mold is perfectly smooth and dry, and that the frame is detachable for ease of removal finished product. The mold can be ordered from a workshop, but it is quite expensive.
  2. The inner surface of the mold is coated with gelcoat. Gel coats vary in color and environment of use. Choose a moisture-resistant gelcoat and only after it has completely dried, you can fill the form with concrete or gypsum filler. Slaked lime or clay is used as a plasticizer or filler.
  3. Prepare the filler for the bulk of the product. To do this, mix sand and cement in a 2:1 ratio, add crushed stone or pebbles and a plasticizer as filler. Mix thoroughly, preferably in a mixer, until smooth. Pigment dye is added to different sectors of the container with filler in uneven portions and mixed until veins and spots are created.
  4. The form is placed in a strictly horizontal position and a mass of artificial liquid marble is poured into it in small portions. Make sure that all the voids in the matrix are filled. Excess mortar is removed with a spatula; cover the top with plastic wrap. Depending on the thickness, artificial marble dries within 24 hours in natural conditions and at above-zero temperatures. The dried slab is removed from the mold and processed grinder and transparent polish.

Cast marble based on polyester resins

This method is somewhat more expensive, but the result is a beautiful texture of the outer coating. The material is very durable and lightweight, resistant to external mechanical and chemical influences.

  1. The first option is to prepare polymer concrete. Take 20-25% polyester resin and 80-75% filler. For this purpose, you can use quartz sand or other neutral colored mineral, finely crushed into crumbs.
  2. In the second case, instead of polyester resin, you can use a mixture of butacryl with AST-T in a ratio of 50x50 and add 50% crushed stone or quartz sand. Coloring is done with acrylic-based pigments.
  3. The form is filled and leveled over the surface of the matrix with a spatula. As a filler, you can use a chipboard board cut 5 cm smaller than the contour of the form. It is pressed into the mass, and the protruding excess is leveled along the back side of the casting.
  4. The dried and hardened product is removed from the mold and can be easily processed. It is amenable to grinding, drilling and other mechanical processing.

Making artificial marble from gypsum

Making artificial marble from gypsum at home is an affordable process and does not require any special expenses.

  1. First, water is prepared, dry gypsum, wood glue and resin dissolved in a hot turpentine bath are added to it. Acrylic dyes or pigment are added to the thoroughly mixed mixture and stirred until streaks and streaks are obtained.
  2. To obtain the milky color of artificial marble, add 1000 technical alcohol and 50 dry gypsum to 200 grams of white gumax. For brown or coffee tone take orange humilax. To obtain a black polish, aniline dye is used.
  3. The liquid mass is poured into a plastic or polyurethane mold. To remove excess water and set faster, the mass is sprinkled with dry plaster on top. After 8 - 10 hours the product can be removed from the mold. To create a waterproof front surface, it is treated with potassium silicate.
  4. Can be immersed in a bath or brushed generously on both sides. After drying, the surface is polished with soft felt or a similar abrasive agent with the addition of polish of the desired shade. The surface is processed until a perfectly smooth mirror surface is obtained.

Material such as marble is used in various structures, such as office building or a family home for the simple reason that it has high wear resistance. However, not everyone knows how to care for a marble staircase. Let's take a closer look.

Let's consider the practical as well as decorative functions of stairs.

Particular care must be taken when designing a staircase opening and careful handling during construction different types buildings. During the design process, it is necessary to perform high-quality calculations of all physical quantities, which have a strong influence on the final application. It is important not to forget to calculate the mass of the future staircase structure. In addition to the practical benefits of the ladder, it is important to note its good decorative qualities. When placing an order, do not forget to take into account the level of load you will have to avoid spoiling the appearance. For any product, in order to have high strength and reliability, it is advisable to use natural materials. Granite, natural stone, or marble.

Stairs and steps made of marble material

Since ancient times, marble has been very famous as the most durable construction material. Castles and palaces from the Byzantine era well confirm this property of this material. Thanks to high quality marble, buildings and stairs have not lost their former strength. Also, the translucent texture looks beautiful when natural light. These factors are the reason for installing marble staircases outside structures. Steps made of marble material can fit well into the interior of a room furnished with furniture from natural wood, in which there are metal or forged decorative elements.


Because marble has sensitivity, and also it beautiful material. He needs good care. If alcohol, coffee or ketchup gets on the marble, it is advisable to remove it immediately. You need to constantly monitor the cleanliness of the marble. To keep it clean, just sweep away the dirt with a brush. soft type, or rinse the surface with water. With regular good care, any marble product will always please the eye. Likewise, the right one will help maintain the original appearance.

What is prohibited in cleaning marble?

  • Marble cannot be cleaned with various types of powders or conventional detergents. Such substances can destroy the structure of the stone. Powders containing abrasive particles may leave scratches on the stone.
  • Wine, juice and sauce such substances can damage the polished finish if not removed immediately from the marble surface.
  • Ceramic cleaner should not be used.
  • Be careful and do not listen to advice regarding cleaning marble with Coca-Cola or orange juice.

In order for the surface to be thoroughly cleaned, you need to use products specifically designed for caring for marble. At different types contamination, it is necessary to use products suitable for this type. Materials such as marble treat water calmly.

Even though it's light marble may turn yellow over time. It is possible to mechanically repolish the coating. Also, using a high concentration soap solution, you can remove yellowness. After applying the soap solution to the surface, leave it there and then rub it thoroughly. Sometimes yellowed marble is cleaned using hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of ammonia. Do not forget that ammonia vapors are harmful to health.

Marble may fade, but it can be restored using a special polish designed for natural stone. Marble is also processed beeswax, which betrays the material fresh color, and unique shine.

Artificial marble – modern finishing material, which is suitable for indoor and outdoor work. It differs from others in its aesthetic appearance and affordable cost. In addition, thanks to the simplicity of manufacturing technology and the low cost of materials, you can make it yourself at home.

Artificial marble - what is it?

Artificial marble is a modern finishing material that is suitable for interior and exterior work.

Artificial marble is a building material that imitates natural stone. It can be produced in three ways:

  • made of concrete;
  • gypsum;
  • polyester resins.

Fillers, hardeners and dyes are added to them, which, when mixed correctly, create streaks, spots and veins that repeat the pattern of natural marble and give it unique properties:

  • strength;
  • heat resistance - such marble does not burn and does not conduct electricity;
  • environmental friendliness - it is non-toxic even when heated;
  • resistance to chemicals, acids, alkalis, solvents, acetone and gasoline;
  • moisture resistance - the material does not rot or delaminate;
  • impact resistance;
  • heat resistance.

The advantages of artificial marble include:

  • waste-free production;
  • ease of care;
  • cheap compared to natural stone;
  • wide range of colors and shapes.

All of them significantly expand the scope of its application. Today, artificial marble products decorate not only residential buildings, apartments and offices, but also schools, medical institutions, including canteens and maternity hospitals. It is used to make window sills, countertops, bar counters, bathtubs, stairs, vases, sculptures, fountains and sinks. It is used to finish ovens, ovens, heating radiators and electrical appliances. Some varieties of marble are used in industry.

Cast marble sink

Kinds

There are 4 types of artificial marble:

  • injection molding is the most popular. It is a mixture of polyester resins and marble chips or quartz sand, which are poured into special forms for hardening. Thanks to this composition, it can perfectly imitate not only natural marble, but also jasper, onyx, malachite or granite.
  • liquid - a material made from marble chips and acrylic polymers. It has been used in construction not long ago, but has many advantages, including low specific weight, flexibility and environmental friendliness. It can be easily cut with a knife or scissors, replaces wallpaper and allows you to create a perfectly flat, seamless surface. Thanks to this, liquid marble is used in the process of finishing rooms of irregular shape.
  • Oselkovy - is a gypsum mass painted and polished to a mirror shine with hardeners. Its spectacular appearance allows it to imitate not only marble, but also malachite or lapis lazuli. It differs from other types in its special properties: lightness and high strength, thanks to which it is successfully used in construction. various designs. Often used in residential buildings and apartments to improve the microclimate, as it has unique properties absorbing or releasing excess moisture.
  • microcalcite, or ground - it is produced by grinding white marble. The resulting powdery substance is gray or white used in the production of plastic products, linoleum, paper, cleaning products, and paint and varnish products.

Preparatory work

Molds for making artificial marble can be either purchased or made yourself

The easiest way to make artificial marble is from cement and sand. If the technology is followed, in this case the products retain all their properties. The main thing is not to make slabs that are too thin or thick. The former turn out to be fragile, while the latter are heavy.

To make artificial marble you will need:

  • fine sand;
  • cement grade 500;
  • plasticizer S-3 (it improves specifications concrete);
  • pigment - an inorganic dye that does not dissolve in water, for example, oil paint;
  • filler - quartz sand, marble chips, dolomite, limestone or pebbles;
  • polyethylene film;
  • water.

To work, you need to prepare in advance:

  • container for preparing the solution;
  • construction mixer with an attachment or a hammer drill with a mixing attachment;
  • polymer mold - you can purchase it or make it yourself from polyurethane, gypsum or plastic. You can replace them wooden frame, at the bottom of which glass is placed;

When choosing a mold, it is important to ensure that its surface is even and smooth, and that it itself is detachable. In this case, you can easily get the finished product.

  • vibrating table– it is indispensable in the production of artificial marble in large quantities. Regardless of the type of vibration - horizontal or vertical, it helps remove air bubbles from the solution and compact it. In the absence of such a design, you can simply shake the form vigorously constantly;
  • brushes for greasing the mold;
  • gelcoat sprayer;
  • grinding machine with diamond disc cups for processing the finished slab.

Manufacturing technology

The process of preparing a solution for artificial marble is simple. However, it requires accuracy in proportions, compliance certain rules and the presence of minimum skills. It’s better to start with manufacturing simple designs, gradually making the task more difficult.

Preparation of the solution

To prepare the solution you need:

  • Pour cement into a clean, dry container and river sand in a ratio of 1:2. After thoroughly mixing these materials, drop into the resulting mixture marble chips or pebbles. Its quantity is determined individually and affects the size of the finished product fractions.
  • Following the filler, dye is added to the mixture. Its amount should not be more than 1% of the total mass of the mixture.

At this stage, it is important to carefully mix the composition in order to maintain uneven coloring. This will allow you to replicate the pattern of natural stone as much as possible.

  • Afterwards, you need to shake the resulting mixture well several times or place it on a vibration table to remove air.
  • Then you can pour in water. It should be 0.2 parts, but this must be done in 2 steps. The first time, 80% of the total volume is added, and after mixing in the plasticizer (1% by weight of cement) and thoroughly mixing the mixture, the remaining 20%. After another stirring and vigorous shaking, the solution is ready.

Preparing and filling out the form

The resulting mass can only be poured into dry and pure forms, exposed in a strictly horizontal position. They are pre-treated with anti-adhesion material and gelcoat and left to harden. Perfect smooth slabs are obtained if the solution is poured in small parts, making sure that it evenly fills the container. Periodically, the molds should be shaken vigorously or placed on a vibration table to remove air.

You can increase the strength of finished marble slabs using reinforcement. To do this, it is enough to place a strong, painted wire into the mass.

Filled mold with solution

After removing excess solution and leveling it, cover the mold plastic film and leave in a place protected from precipitation to harden for at least a day. In some cases, this process may take several days. There is no point in additionally moistening the surface of the concrete or interfering with it in any way.

Thick slabs of artificial marble may break down later due to the presence of internal voids. This can be prevented by a vibrating table or a special solution preparation technique. According to it, the mixer should not be removed from the mass while mixing it. This way you can avoid the appearance of air bubbles.

Finished slab processing

After hardening, the product is turned over and removed from the mold, removing it like a cover. Then it is advisable to let it lie for a while outdoors and start sanding. This can be done using a grinding machine.

Due to the high strength of the finished products, they can subsequently be cut only with diamond wheels.

Video: DIY artificial marble

Making artificial marble products with your own hands at home is not a problem. This is once again proven by the author of this video, demonstrating all the stages of the main work:

Technology for making marble from gypsum

The technology for manufacturing artificial marble from gypsum is simple and accessible

This technology is popular and consists of several stages:

  • Preparation of working solution. To do this, put dry plaster into a container and add water, wood glue and resin, previously melted in a hot bath. After thorough mixing, pigments or acrylic dyes are poured into the mass and stirred again until veins form.

White artificial marble can be obtained by adding to the solution a mixture of 200 g of white humilax, 50 g of dry gypsum and 1 liter of industrial alcohol. Brown is formed by mixing orange humilax, and black is formed by aniline dye.

  • Placing the finished mass into the mold. Excess water is easily removed with dry plaster, which is sprinkled on top. The hardening process of the finished product can take 8-10 hours, after which it can be removed.
  • To form a waterproof layer on top of gypsum marble, its front surface is treated with potassium silicate and polished with soft felt.

How to make marble from polyester resins

Artificial marble made from polyester resins is incredibly durable

In this way, you can obtain cast marble with a unique texture, which, moreover, will be incredibly resistant to mechanical and chemical damage. To do this, it is necessary to prepare polymer concrete from polyester resin and filler, mixing them in a ratio of 25:75. The latter would be quartz sand or another mineral crushed into crumbs.

Replace polyester resin can be a mixture of butacryl and AST-T (technical acrylate), taken in equal quantities. The same amount of quartz sand or crushed stone and acrylic-based pigments are added to them.

The resulting composition is laid out in a mold, where it is left until completely hardened. You can increase its strength using chipboard boards. Its dimensions should be smaller sizes molds by 5 cm. By pressing into the mass, it subsequently improves the technical characteristics of the finished product. After hardening and hardening, the latter is removed from the mold and sanded.

Despite the high strength and excellent technical characteristics of artificial marble, it still requires some care.

You can provide care by following simple rules:

  • Do not use cleaning agents that contain drying oil;
  • It is undesirable to use detergents with silicone;
  • It is better to use a soft cloth to remove dirt;
  • It is undesirable to use brushes, sponges and other devices that can scratch the finishing layer;
  • It is better to replace abrasive cleaning products for the care of countertops with gel ones;
  • Regular cleaning of artificial marble products is best done using detergent or soap;
  • You can maintain the glossy shine of surfaces by wiping them with special solutions (1 cap for 3 liters of water liquid soap from natural ingredients) and rubbing with a dry towel.

Self-made artificial marble can be an alternative ceramic tiles. It can be used to decorate kitchens and decorate fireplaces. It can be used as flooring, demonstrating to guests good taste and extraordinary abilities.

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