How to make an artificial marble with your own hands

Finishing work using natural stone is a very expensive pleasure. To pick up a natural marble of a corresponding tone is problematic enough. It is not very difficult to master the production of artificial marble by oneself. An important moment in the manufacture of artificial marble is the correctly made mold for casting.

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

Composition and special properties of the artificial marble

The main component of the cast marble is polyester resin and pigmentary mineral dyes and hardeners. Having mastered the mixing technique, you can get stains and stains, almost indistinguishable from stains and streaks on natural marble.

1. Material is not combustible and dielectric, i.e.does not conduct electric current, therefore it can be used for any finishing work without restrictions. Resistance to alkaline products and chemical solvents promotes its hygiene and can be used as countertops and kitchen sinks.
2. The composition of the cast marble has a homogeneous structure, does not exfoliate, is resistant to corrosion and environmentally friendly material. The outer surface of the cast marble is gelcoat, it has decorative protective functions. As a filler, polyester resin mixed with mineral colored crumb and pigment dyes is used. To obtain a solid mass, a hardener is added.
3. Simpler methods of manufacturing artificial marble assume the use of cement-concrete mixtures and crushed stone as a filler. Often used pebbles, quartz fine gravel and tinted sand.

The technology of making artificial marble with concrete filler

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

1. First of all you will need a mold( 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 the frame is detachable, for easy removal of the finished product. The form can be ordered in the workshop, but it is quite expensive.
2. The inner surface of the mold is greased with gelcoat. Gelcoat differ in color and usage environment. Choose moisture-resistant gelcoat and only after its final drying, you can fill the shape with a concrete or gypsum mortar-filler. Slaked lime or clay is used as plasticizer, filler.
3. Prepare a filler for the bulk of the product. To do this, mix sand and cement in a ratio of 2: 1, add as filler chips or pebbles and plasticizer. Stir thoroughly, preferably in a mixer until a homogeneous mass is obtained. In different sectors of the container with a filler, uneven portions, a pigment dye is added and mixed until the veins and stains are created.
4. The shape is set in a strictly horizontal position and a small portion of it is poured into the mass of artificial liquid marble. Make sure that all the voids of the matrix are filled. Remove excess solution with a spatula, top cover with polyethylene film. Depending on the thickness, the artificial marble dries from 24 hours in natural conditions and at plus temperature. The dried board is removed from the mold, processed by a grinder and a transparent polish.

Casting 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 the preparation of polymer concrete. Take 20-25% of polyester resin and 80-75% filler. In this capacity, you can use quartz sand or another neutral colored mineral, finely chopped 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% of rubble or quartz sand. Paint is produced by acrylic based pigments.
3. The mold is filled and spread with a trowel on the surface of the matrix. As a filler, you can use a chipboard cut out 5 cm less than the shape contour. It is squeezed into a mass, and the excess surplus is spread over 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 machining.

Manufacture of artificial marble from gypsum

Manufacture of artificial marble from gypsum at home - the process is affordable and does not require special expenses.

1. To begin with, water is prepared, dry gypsum, joinery glue and dissolved in turpentine hot tub, resin are added to it. In a carefully mixed mixture, acrylic dyes or pigment are added and mixed until the stains and veins are obtained.
2. To obtain milky color of artificial marble, 200 grams of white humilax, 1000 technical alcohol and 50 dry gypsum are added. For brown or coffee tones, orange gumilax is taken. For the production of black polish, aniline paint is used.
3. The liquid is poured into a plastic or polyurethane mold. To remove excess water and more rapid setting, the mass top is poured with dry gypsum. After 8-10 hours the product can be removed from the mold. To create a waterproof face, it is treated with potassium silicate.
4. Can be immersed in a bath or brushed with a brush on both sides. After drying, the surface is polished with a soft felt or a similar abrasive agent with the addition of the polish of the desired shade. The surface is processed until a perfectly smooth mirror surface is obtained.