Natural stone has always been famous for its beauty, durability and versatility in construction and decoration. But, despite the advantages, the designs and elements from it are characterized by a high price. Therefore, an excellent alternative is artificial acrylic stone, which is not inferior in terms of technical parameters and has an attractive cost. Its production began over 50 years ago and does not lose its relevance to this day. Acrylic products are very popular and in demand among many consumers, and it is difficult to imagine stylish modern interiors without the use of acrylic, which has a number of features and benefits.
Features
The pioneers of artificial material in 1967 are Du Pont scientists led by Donald Slocum. The manufacturer planned to use it to make artificial bone substitutes, but over time, the stone became activelyused in construction and decoration. After the expiration of the concern's patent for the production of this material, many companies around the world began to produce it.
Beautiful artificial acrylic stone is a composite polymer with a monolithic surface and a non-porous structure. It has an excellent ability to form, due to which it has wide design possibilities. Acrylic contains:
- soft fillers (aluminum trihydrate) for fire resistance;
- natural minerals (quartz, granite, marble chips);
- acrylic resins as binders, giving elasticity;
- copolymer pigments to create the desired color.
Production technology
Continuous improvement of production processes and recipes has significantly expanded its scope in the furniture industry, for interior decoration of residential premises and the creation of decorative products. The production process involves several stages, where preliminary mixing is carried out in a vacuum mixer with degassing of all constituent substances in a certain amount. Then the finished mixture is fed to the molding line for sizing and curing, after which the sheet plates are immersed in polymerization ovens. The dimensions and thickness of the products depend on the purpose of the application. Technological modern systems allow to produce products with full quality control. Note thatpaints are used food, completely safe for human he alth.
Advantages of artificial acrylic stone material and products
Thermal shaping is the main manufacturing process that allows you to create product surfaces of any shape. This provides freedom and flight of imagination for designers to create an exquisite unique solution. On the presented photos you can get acquainted with the varieties of products and make the right choice for the implementation of certain tasks.
It is worth noting the important advantages of the material in its application:
- variety of color palette choices;
- reduced assembly waste, lightening forces and reducing processing time;
- formability;
- resistance to aggressive substances, mechanical stress;
- simple regular maintenance, easy cleaning;
- great appearance;
- color stability under UV light;
- high strength equal to natural products;
- repairability, including the ability to remove scratches by grinding;
- wide scope;
- resistance to moisture, temperature extremes;
- hygienic and safe.
Easy processing, including grinding, drilling, cutting, allows you to create any kind of fences, stairs, countertops, window sills, floor tiles. Due to the high environmental safety, in addition to the mainpurpose, they can be used in medical institutions, laboratories with high sanitary requirements.
Scope of application
Due to a huge number of advantages, the material is ideal for creating decorative structures, elements and furniture details. In particular, acrylic artificial stone in sheets allows the production of the following types of products:
- window sills;
- kitchen and bathroom countertops;
- sinks and washbasins;
- work surfaces;
- baths;
- facing tiles;
- wall panels;
- steps, railings, stairs and railings;
- floor covering;
- cabinet furniture for bathroom, kitchen, etc.
The warm surface is free of harmful micro-organisms, which is great for products used in wet areas.
Acrylic artificial stone in sheets for construction and decoration
Acrylic in sheets is presented on the modern construction market in different sizes, textures and colors. Unlike natural material, acrylic slabs of artificial stone are more plastic, but have similar parameters of strength, reliability and durability. They have no toxicity due to the use of environmentally friendly raw materials in the production. Such products are found in residential premises, offices, restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, entertainment complexes, sports facilities, banks and a number of other establishments. They givepremises, territories presentable appearance, status, functionality.
For flooring and surface cladding
In modern design, panels, columns, stairs made of flexible acrylic artificial stone are often used. For floors and walls, it is an excellent cladding material. Unlike traditional finishing compositions with a large weight, such a material has flexibility and a light structure. This indicator ensures that there are no loads on the structures of structures. For wall cladding, flexible acrylic is used, which is produced using a special technology with the addition of acrylic latex, dyes, sand or quartz chips. The liquid is pre-mixed and applied in a thin layer on fabric or fiberglass. Experts compare it in terms of plasticity and fine structure with wallpaper. It perfectly imitates the patterns of natural stone, granite and other materials after curing.
Shower trays
One of the key elements of the interior in the bathroom is the shower tray, it is a practical and beautiful solution. The product must accept the ambient temperature, which will ensure the convenience of a person being on it. According to experts, a shower tray made of artificial acrylic stone is able to withstand falling objects, various temperature changes. Pleasant to the touch upon contact. It completely lacks cracks, cracks, pores. This provides an obstacle to the penetration of moisture, steam, preventing the development of fungi and bacteria. For the bathroom, an acrylic pallet is consideredthe best solution that creates indoor comfort, convenience and a beautiful interior. A faux acrylic bathtub looks just as great and is always the center of attention.
Acrylic window sill
Window sills are structural elements of a window opening. They can be exposed to moisture, dampness and other unpleasant phenomena. With frequent fogging of windows, the formation of puddles on them is not excluded. But with an acrylic window sill, such problems are not terrible, since the durable material can serve for a long time without losing quality.
Neat window sills are amenable to restoration, created in any shape, with rounding and in the selected color. It is easy to order them today for imitation of natural stone, including marble, granite, quartz and other solutions.
Varieties of countertops and sinks
An important part of the interior of a designer kitchen, bathroom is considered to be a countertop. Acrylic products can become a highlight and a real decoration of these premises. They have aesthetics, reliability, practicality and durability. You can see examples of acrylic countertops in the photos presented in this material. The presented examples will help you choose an original solution for arranging a kitchen or bathroom.
Acrylic countertops differ in structural elements, in particular, the sides are made straight, with a radius, integrated and chamfered. The ends are distinguished by a special variety, among which are the classic options, with a polished rounded end, with a curlychamfer, volumetric corners, with bends. It is advisable to avoid abrasive detergents when working, do not cut on the surface.
Kitchen sinks and bathroom sinks deserve special attention. Due to the ability of acrylic to take any shape, products are produced in original shapes and sizes. Monolithic beautiful sinks are made with a stand, the ability to connect accessories. They are produced in several types, including overhead, mortise, monolithic. Unlike stainless steel products, they have reduced operating noise.
Wide use of artificial stone
The high technical characteristics of acrylic allow it to be used in various types of products, which endows the latter with beauty, durability and practicality. Installation of artificial acrylic stone is half the price of natural stone, which ensures availability in widespread use.
Facade finishing is less expensive due to the lack of complexity in surface preparation compared to natural minerals. For this purpose, hinged facade technologies are used. Artificial acrylic stone is in demand both as an independent element and in combination with other materials in building cladding. Great for the production of garden furniture, arrangement of swimming pools, ponds. It is important to consider that this material of artificial origin in all areas of construction will be relevant for a long time.
