What you need to know about the properties of marble?
Natural marble is resistant to atmospheric influences, easily processed, polished and polished. In construction, it is used for wall cladding, the production of any parts of structures and sculptures. Marble crumb, which is obtained by its processing, is used for plastering works, when installing mosaic cement floors and products.
Along with natural stone, the so-called liquid marble is in demand. This material almost completely imitates the natural. And liquid it is called because it can be given any form: from it, amazingly beautiful table tops, washbasins and other interior items are made. It would take a lot of time and effort to create them from natural stone, because of which the cost would be unbearable even for wealthy people.
Marble has a lot of advantages:
- Unique hygienic and decorative properties. It has high ecological compatibility, porosity and the ability to "breathe".
- Ease and accessibility of processing. Carrara marble is plastic, easy to grind and polished. Its structure is uniform, due to its uniform granularity. This material is strong enough and viscous, so it does not crack when impacted, which makes it possible to carve out different shapes.
- Excellent water resistance. Well suited for finishing swimming pools, bathrooms, etc.
- A wide range of colors. Therefore, it is possible to make pictures and mosaic panels from pieces.
- Heat resistance and frost resistance. It does not absorb moisture, so it is not afraid of a low temperature, which can cause microcracks from the frozen liquid. For the same reason, it can be used not only for interior finishing, but also for facade work. Also it is not affected by the elevated temperature, therefore it is possible to make fireplaces from it, etc.
- Durability. All types of marble, if properly used, can serve 100-150 years.
But no material can do without disadvantages. So marble has its drawbacks:
- is destroyed by the action of hydrochloric and food acids. This feature prevents the manufacture of interior elements, which may later be in contact with the acid medium.
- Restrictions on the use of marble for exterior decoration. Do not use it in places where there is a lot of patency. The stone will quickly become unusable and lose its luster.
Varieties of natural marble
There are the following varieties of marble according to the color of - white, beige, brown, yellow, pink, gray, red, green and blue. All of them differ in their intended purpose and qualitative characteristics.
The color of this stone depends on the combinations of impurities. Many colored marbles have a fairly bright color.
White marble is a very delicate material, almost free of impurities and easy to process. It is plastic and resistant to temperature fluctuations. It is used for interior finishing, so as not to subject it to the negative effects of atmospheric phenomena.
Gray marble is more resistant to any impact, from which it is also possible to produce a variety of interior details. It has a more visible porosity and is not as brittle and tender as white. Has a unique pattern and depth. This type of stone is suitable for finishing the facades and interior decoration of the premises. It can be combined with other varieties, for example, with granite or slate.
Color marble, containing many different impurities, is distinguished by a wide palette of colors and textures. It does not lend itself to almost any negative influences, so it is considered a universal material, which is excellent for any finishing work.
Varieties of artificial marble
In addition to natural, often used artificial material, completely imitating the present. For example, gypsum marble, which has low weight, strength and fire resistance. This allows you to build lightweight, economical designs. It is harmless, and its use in living quarters improves the microclimate, because it absorbs moisture, and when dry it gives it away.
Another kind - flexible marble. It is a new finishing material. It is environmentally friendly, as it consists of marble chips and acrylic polymers. Its flexibility and ease are used for facing columns, arches, spherical objects. With its help, the surface is seamless and resistant to external influences.
Ground marble - is a fine mineral filler, which is produced by the method of grinding white marble. Has the following properties - strength, low water absorption, small chemical activity, low dye content, whiteness, UV resistance. It is used for the manufacture of paintwork materials, plastic products, fire retardant coatings, linoleum and paper.
Stone , formed at the bottom of the reservoir due to the liberation of calcium carbonate, the people call travertine marble. This material is similar in properties to natural marble. But there are some differences - these are thermophysical properties and less weight. It has high water absorption, durability and frost resistance. Another advantage is ease of handling. Use it for finishing inside and outside buildings.