Natural stone at all times was famous for its beauty, durability and versatility in construction and decoration. But, despite the advantages, designs and elements from it are characterized by a high price. Therefore, an artificial alternative is considered an artificial acrylic stone, not inferior in technical parameters and having an attractive price. 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 stylish modern interiors are difficult to imagine without the use of acrylic, which has a number of features and advantages.
Features
The pioneers of artificial material in 1967 are the scientists of the Du Pont concern under the leadership of Donald Slocum. The manufacturer planned to use it for the manufacture of artificial bone substitutes, but over time, the stone began to be actively used in construction and decoration. After the expiration of the group’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 pore-free structure. It has an excellent ability to form, due to which it has wide structural capabilities. The composition of acrylic includes:
- soft fillers (aluminum trihydrate) that provide resistance to fires;
- natural minerals (quartz, granite, marble chips);
- acrylic resins as binders for elasticity;
- copolymer pigments to create the desired color.
Production technology
Continuous improvement of production processes and recipes significantly expanded the scope of its application 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 the degassing of all constituent substances in a certain amount. Then, the finished mixture is fed to the molding line to give the desired size and curing, after which the sheet plates are immersed in a polymerization furnace. The dimensions and thickness of the products depend on the application. High-tech modern systems allow the production of products with complete quality control. Note that the paints are applied food, completely safe for human health.
The advantages of material and products made of artificial acrylic stone
Thermal formation is the main production process that allows you to create surfaces of products of any shape. This provides freedom and imagination to designers to create a sophisticated and 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:
- a variety of color palette choices;
- reduced waste during the installation of products, facilitating forces and reducing processing time;
- molding ability;
- resistance to aggressive substances, mechanical stress;
- simple regular maintenance, easy cleaning;
- great appearance;
- color stability under the influence of ultraviolet rays;
- high strength, not inferior in terms of natural products;
- maintainability, including the ability to eliminate scratches by grinding;
- wide scope of application;
- resistance to moisture, temperature changes;
- hygiene and safety.
Simple processing, including grinding, drilling, cutting, allows you to create any kind of fences, stairs, countertops, window sills, floor slabs. Due to the high environmental safety, in addition to the main purpose, they can be used in medical institutions, laboratories with high sanitary requirements.
Scope of application
Thanks 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 to produce the following types of products:
- window sills;
- countertops for the kitchen and bathroom;
- sinks and washbasins;
- work surfaces;
- bathtubs;
- facing tile;
- Wall panels;
- steps, railings, stairs and railings;
- flooring;
- cabinet furniture for the bathroom, kitchen, etc.
There is no accumulation of harmful microorganisms on a warm surface, which is excellent for the production of products used in wet rooms.
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 plates 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, in banks and in a number of other institutions. They give the premises, territories a presentable look, status, functionality.
For floor 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 material for cladding. Unlike traditional finishing compositions with a large weight, this material has flexibility and a light structure. This indicator ensures the absence of loads on the construction of structures. For wall cladding, flexible acrylic is used, which is produced by special technology with the addition of acrylic latex, dyes, sand or silica 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 ideally imitates after hardening the texture of drawings of natural stone, granite and other materials.
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 take the ambient temperature, which will ensure the convenience of a person on it. According to experts, the shower tray made of artificial acrylic stone is able to withstand falling objects, various temperature extremes. Pleasant to touch when touched. It completely lacks cracks, cracks, pores. This provides an obstacle to the penetration of moisture, steam, preventing the development of fungi and bacteria. For a bathroom, an acrylic tray is considered the best solution that creates comfort, convenience and a beautiful interior in a room. A bathtub made of artificial acrylic stone looks no less magnificent and is always the center of attention.
Acrylic window sill
Window sills - structural elements of a window opening. May be subject to humidity, dampness and other unpleasant phenomena. With frequent fogging of windows, the formation of puddles is not ruled out. But with an acrylic window sill, such problems are not terrible, since a durable material can serve for a long time without loss of quality indicators.
Neat window sills can be restored, they are created in any form, with rounding and in the selected color. It is easy to order them today under the 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 a countertop. Acrylic products can become a highlight and a real decoration of these rooms. 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 tabletops differ in structural elements, in particular, the sides are straight, with a radius, integrated and chamfered. The ends are distinguished by a special variety, among which are classic versions, with a polished rounded end, with a curved chamfer, volumetric corners, and bends. It is advisable to avoid abrasive detergents when working, do not cut on the surface.
Sinks for the kitchen and sinks for the bathroom deserve special attention. Due to the ability of acrylic to take any form, products are produced in their original forms and sizes. Monolithic beautiful sinks are performed with a stand, the ability to connect accessories. They are produced in several types, including overhead, mortise, monolithic. Unlike stainless steel products, they reduce operating noise.
Widespread use of artificial stone
The high technical characteristics of acrylic allow it to be used in various types of products, which gives the latter beauty, durability and practicality. Installation of artificial acrylic stone is half cheaper than natural, which ensures accessibility in widespread use.
Facade decoration is less expensive due to the lack of difficulty in preparing surfaces in comparison with natural minerals. For this purpose, the technology of the curtain wall is used. Artificial acrylic stone is in demand both as an independent element, and in combination with other materials in the cladding of buildings. Great for the production of garden furniture, arranging 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.