How to make artificial marble with your own hands

Graduation work using natural stone is a very expensive pleasure. Choosing natural marble of the corresponding tone is quite problematic. It is not very difficult to master the production of artificial marble with your own hands. An important point in the manufacture of artificial marble is a correctly made form for casting.

In fact, artificial marble, the manufacturing technology of which is presented in this article is an alloy of acrylic resins and mineral fillers. Such material has sufficient strength, and in the manufacture of artificial marble with your own hands, it can be given the necessary shape. It can be a countertop on the kitchen or for a bar, steps, a sink, a sink or an original vase for the garden.

Composition and special properties of artificial marble

The main component of cast marble is polyester resin and age mineral dyes and hardeners. Having mastered the mixing methodology, you can get stains and spots that are practically not distinguishable from spots and veins in natural marble.

1. The material is not a fuel and a dielectric, i.e. It does not conduct electric current, so it can be used for any finishing work without restrictions. Resistance to alkaline drugs and chemical solvents contributes to its hygiene and allows you to use it as countertops and kitchen sinks.
2. The composition of cast marble has a homogeneous structure, is not relaxed, resistant to corrosion and environmentally friendly material. The outer surface of cast marble - gelcoot, has decorative - protective functions. As a filler, polyester resin is used, mixed with mineral multi -colored crumbs and pigment dyes. To obtain a strong mass, hardener is added.
3. Simple methods of making artificial marble suggest the use of cement mixtures and crushed stone as a filler. Often, pebbles, quartz small crushed stone and tinted sand are used.

Technology for the manufacture of artificial marble with concrete filler

This method is very simple and affordable, both in manufacturing technology and in costs. Thanks to this, this method is widely popular. Counts and kitchen boards are highly durable, and environmentally friendly materials are used in the manufacture.

1. First of all, you will need a form (matrix) 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 shape is perfectly smooth and dry, and the frame is detachable, for the convenience of removing the finished product. The form can be ordered in the workshop, but it is quite expensive.
2. The inner surface of the form is smeared with a helcoet.   Gelcout vary in color and environment. Choose a moisture -resistant gelcout and only after its final drying, you can fill the form with a concrete or gypsum solution - filler. As a plasticizer, a filler, gashneen lime or clay is used.
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 plasticizer as filler. Mix thoroughly, preferably in a mixer until a homogeneous mass is obtained. In different sectors of the capacity with the filler, uneven portions, pigmented dye is added and mixed until the veins and stains are created.
4. The form is exhibited in a strictly horizontal position and a mass of artificial liquid marble pours into it in small portions. Make sure that all the voids of the matrix are filled. Excess solutions are removed by a spatula, cover the pouring with plastic film on top. Depending on the thickness, artificial marble dries from 24 hours in natural conditions and at a plus temperature. The dried slab is extracted from the form, processed with a grinding machine and a transparent political officer.

Casting marble based on polyester resins

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

1. The first option is that polymer concrete is being prepared. 20-25% of polyester resin and 80-75% filler are taken. In this capacity, you can use quartz sand or other neutral color mineral, finely interpreted into the baby.
2. In the second case-instead of polyester resin, you can use a mixture of buzzril with AST-T in a ratio of 50x50 and add 50% gravel or quartz sand. Coloring is carried out by acrylic -based pigments.
3. The shape is filled and the spatula is leveled on the surface of the matrix. As a filler, you can use a chipboard, carved 5 cm less than the contour of the shape. It is pressed into the mass, and the excesses of the excess are leveled on the back of the casting.
4. A dried and hardened product is removed from the mold and it can be easily processed. It lends itself to grinding, drilling and other machines.

Making artificial marble from gypsum

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

1. To begin with, water is prepared, dry gypsum, carpentry glue and dissolved in an turpentine hot bath, and resin are added to it. Acrylic dyes or pigments are added to a carefully stirred mixture and stir, until divorces and veins are obtained.
2. To obtain milk -colored artificial marble, 1000 technological alcohol and 50 dry gypsum are added to 200 grams of white humiclax. For brown or coffee tone, orange gumilax is taken. Aniline paint is used to obtain a black politician.
3. The liquid mass is poured into a plastic or polyurethane form. To remove excess water and faster setting, the mass is sprinkled with dry gypsum on top. After 8 - 10 hours, the product can be removed from the mold. To create a waterproof front surface, it is treated with silicon potassium.
4. It can be immersed in a bath or abundantly smear with a brush on both sides. After drying, the surface is polished with a soft felt or similar to an abrasive tool with the addition of the desired shade. The surface is treated until the perfectly smooth mirror surface is obtained.