Engineered quartz stone countertop
The main component of engineered quartz is silica, which is synthesized from 93% quartz sand as a filler plus 7% resin and other binders. If it is less than 7%, the toughness is insufficient and it is easy to break; if it is higher than 12%, it is easily deformed. Quartz stone is generally 20mm or 30mm thick. The production process of different quartz stone manufacturers can be divided into cast quartz stone and die-cast quartz stone. Quartz stone has a wide variety of colors, and in theory, any color can be formulated with various types of pigments.
Quartz stone has excellent scratch resistance and stain resistance due to its high density and high hardness. However, from a physics point of view, quartzite has fine thermal expansion and contraction and has certain mechanical properties such as shrinkage stress, impact toughness, and elongation at break. When the material cannot withstand the internal stress brought by thermal expansion and contraction And cracking occurs when subjected to severe external impact.
The surface of the quartz stone slab is not treated in a special way but is made by more than 30 high-pressure rapid water milling. Once it is polished at a low speed, it will cause whitening and discoloration. The common problem in the installation joint of quartz stone is that the two plates appear high and low, and the treatment method often chooses to polish, which will cause the surface of the plate to lose luster. Therefore, the level of the installation master is tested in the seamless splicing process.
Qualified and high-quality engineered quartz stone adopts die-casting process, the density can reach 2.46g / cm3, the water absorption rate is 0.02%, and it is better in anti-seepage. However, some unqualified quartz stone products will infiltrate pollutant impurities in the daily use process, affecting the appearance.
What is the difference between die-cast quartz stone and cast quartz stone?
Die-casting quartz stone is produced through a series of equipment such as high temperature, high pressure, high shock, etc., because the die-casting plate is stirred with dry powder, formed by vacuum and high pressure, and the density and hardness are high. Impermeability, crack resistance, heat resistance, scratch resistance are very good.
Casting quartz stone slabs is almost the same as ordinary artificial stone. The liquid is solidified on the mold and the vacuum is formed. The equipment cost is low. Generally, artificial stone manufacturers can produce them. The density and hardness are not enough and should be penetrated. The die-casting plate is mixed with dry powder and the raw materials used in different proportions are formed by vacuum and high pressure, and the density and hardness are high.
How can I distinguish them quickly?
1. Look, the particles of the casting board are larger, and the particles are unevenly distributed, and the backside is obviously less than the front side. The particles of the die-casting plate are evenly distributed.
2. Use a hard object to scratch, the hardness of the cast plate is lower than 4, and the hardness of the die-cast plate is equal to or higher than 6 of the Mohs hardness, so the die-cast plate will not scratch.
3. Specific gravity comparison, the internal structure of the die-casting plate is dense and stable, and the density is large. The internal structure of the casting plate is unstable, so the density is small. Therefore, the die-casting plate is heavier than the casting plate in weight!
Granite countertop
Granite is one of the strongest rocks, mainly composed of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Its structure? Dense, hard texture, acid and alkali resistance, good weather resistance? It can be used outdoors for a long time. Not only is it hard in texture, but it is not easily dissolved by water and is not easily eroded by acids and alkalis. On each square centimeter of its area, it can withstand pressures of more than 2,000 kilograms; for decades, weathering cannot affect it significantly. The appearance of granite is still quite beautiful, often showing black, white, red, gray, yellow, blue, green, and other colors, and there are crystals dotted between them, which are beautiful and elegant.
The physical permeability of granite is almost negligible. Between 0.2% and 4%, it has high strength and heat stability. It does not change due to changes in external temperature. Granite is not affected by its high-density Changes in temperature and air composition. Therefore, it is a good material for kitchen countertops. In Europe and the United States, kitchen countertops are usually processed from natural granite.
There are some granites in order to make the color more vivid or change the color, using dyeing, electrolysis and other treatment methods, this type of granite is not suitable for kitchen countertops.
The thickness of granite countertops is usually 2-3 cm or 3 / 4-1 inches. The 3 cm granite countertop is more expensive, but stronger and more attractive. However, granite countertops of 2 cm usually require plywood support and edging. If you do n’t like the standard style, you can ask the manufacturer to customize it. When you use it together in a cabinet or other furniture, you need to trim the countertop. Due to the size and length of granite, splicing is required. Therefore, the gap is very common, and the size of the gap within the standard range is allowed.
