1. Granite
Granite is an igneous rock, formed by the eruption and cooling crystallization of underground magma, as well as granitic metamorphic rocks. Has visible crystal structure and texture. It is composed of feldspar (usually potash feldspar and feldspar) and quartz, mixed with a small amount of mica (biotite or muscovite) and trace minerals, such as: zircon, apatite, magnetite, ilmenite And Shen stone and so on. The main component of granite is silica, whose content is about 65%-85%. The chemical properties of granite are slightly acidic. Normally, granite is slightly white or gray, with a mottled appearance due to the mixture of dark crystals, and the addition of potassium feldspar makes it red or flesh-colored. Granite is formed by the slow cooling and crystallization of magma and is buried deep below the earth's surface. When the cooling rate is abnormally slow, it forms a granite with a very rough texture, which is called crystalline granite. Granite and other crystalline rocks form the basis of continental plates and are the most common intrusive rocks exposed on the Earth's surface.
Although granite is thought to be an igneous rock formed from molten material or magma, there is considerable evidence that some granite forms are the product of local deformation or previous rocks that did not undergo a liquid or melting process. Arrangement and recrystallization.
Granite has a specific gravity between 2.63 and 2.75, and its compressive strength is 1,050~14,000 kg/cm2 (15,000~20,000 lb/in2). Because granite is stronger than sandstone, limestone, and marble, it is more difficult to mine. Due to the special formation conditions and firm structural characteristics of granite, it has the following unique properties:
(1) It has good decorative properties and can be used for decoration in public places and outdoors.
(2) Excellent processing performance: sawing, cutting, polishing, drilling, engraving, etc. Its processing accuracy can reach below 0.5μm, and its luminosity can reach above 1600.
(3) Good wear resistance, 5-10 times higher than cast iron.
(4) The thermal expansion coefficient is small, not easy to deform, similar to indium steel, and is minimally affected by temperature.
(5) The elastic modulus is large, higher than cast iron.
(6) Good rigidity and large internal damping coefficient, 15 times larger than steel. Can be shock-proof and shock-absorbing.
(7) Granite is brittle and will only partially fall off after damage, without affecting the overall straightness.
(8) Granite has stable chemical properties, is not easily weathered, and can resist the erosion of acids, alkalis and corrosive gases. Its chemical properties are proportional to the content of silica, and its service life can reach about 200 years. .
(9) Granite is non-conductive and non-magnetic, and its field position is stable.
Generally, granite is divided into three different categories:
Fine-grained granite: The average diameter of feldspar crystals is 1/16 to 1/8 inch.
Medium-grained granite: The average diameter of the feldspar crystals is about 1/4 inch.
Coarse-grained granite: Feldspar crystals with an average diameter of about 1/2 inch and larger crystals, some even up to several centimeters in diameter. Coarse-grained granite has a relatively low density.
In recent years, granite accounts for 83% of the stones used in monument construction, and marble accounts for 17%.
2. Marble
Marble is formed from sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks of sedimentary rocks. It is a metamorphic rock formed after the recrystallization of limestone. It is usually accompanied by the texture of biological remains. The main component is calcium carbonate, its content is about 50%-75%, and it is weakly alkaline. Some marbles contain a certain amount of silica, and some do not. The particles are fine (referring to calcium carbonate), the surface stripe distribution is generally irregular, and the hardness is low. The composition and structural characteristics of marble give it the following properties:
(1) Excellent decorative properties. Marble does not contain radiation and has bright and rich colors. It is widely used for interior wall and floor decoration. Has excellent processing performance: sawing, cutting, polishing, drilling, engraving, etc.
(2) Marble has good wear resistance and is not easy to age. Its service life is generally about 50-80 years.
(3) In industry, marble is widely used. Such as: used in raw materials, purification agents, metallurgical solvents, etc.
(4) Marble has the characteristics of non-conductivity, non-magnetic conductivity, and stable field position.
From a commercial perspective, all naturally occurring calcareous rocks that can be polished are called marble, as are some dolomites and serpentinites. Because not all marbles are suitable for all architectural situations, marbles should be divided into four categories: A, B, C and D. This classification method is particularly suitable for relatively brittle Type C and Type D marbles, which require special handling before or during installation.
The specific classification is as follows:
Class A: high-quality marble, with the same and excellent processing quality, free of impurities and pores.
Class B: The characteristics are close to the previous type of marble, but the processing quality is slightly worse than the former; it has natural flaws; it requires a small amount of separation, gluing and filling.
Category C: There are some differences in processing quality; defects, pores, and texture fractures are more common. Repairing these differences is moderately difficult and can be accomplished by one or more of these methods: separation, gluing, filling, or reinforcement.
Class D: The characteristics are similar to those of Class C marble, but it contains more natural flaws and the biggest difference in processing quality, requiring multiple surface treatments with the same method. This type of marble involves many colorful stones, and they have good decorative value.
3. Limestone
Limestone is a rock formed from sedimentary sources. Its main components are calcium carbonate, calcium magnesium carbonate, or a mixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate. Recrystallized limestone, strong microcrystalline limestone, and polishable travertine are all advertised and sold as limestone or marble, especially in the United States. Formed limestone is divided into three subcategories based on different density ranges:
Low-density limestone—density ranges from 110 to 135 pounds per cubic foot (1,760 to 2,160 kilograms per cubic meter).
Medium density limestone - density range 135~160 lbs/cubic foot (2,160~2,560 kg/cubic meter).
High-density limestone - density greater than 160 pounds per cubic foot (2,560 kilograms per cubic meter).
Limestone has many distinctive natural features, such as: calcite patterns or spots, fossil or shell structures, pits, elongated tissues, open textures, honeycomb structures, iron spots, and travertine-like structures. Structural and crystallographic differences. One or a combination of the above characteristics will have an impact on the texture of the limestone.
4. Slate
Slate is also a sedimentary rock. The shale that forms slate was first deposited on a bed of soil. Later, the movement of the earth caused these shale beds to stack up. Intense metamorphism caused the shale bed to fold and shrink, and finally turned into slate. The main component of slate is silica. It is characterized by acid resistance. Slate can be divided into three major types according to its composition:
(1) Carbonate type slate: its composition contains less than 40% silica and less than 10% aluminum oxide. , the calcium oxide content is less than 15%, the magnesium oxide content is less than 10%, and the ferric oxide content is 3%-7%.
(2) Clay type slate: Its main components are sericite, illite, chlorite, kaolin and other clay minerals, which account for more than 80% of the slate mineral composition, and its silica content More than 50%, the aluminum oxide content is more than 12%, the calcium oxide content is less than 10%, the magnesium oxide content is less than 5%, and its iron oxide content is higher than that of carbonate type slab.
(3) Carbonaceous and siliceous slate: The mineral composition is between clay-type slate and carbonate-type slate. Due to the strong degree of silicification and high silica content, the stone quality Quite hard and darker in color.
The structure of slate is flake or massive, with fine particles. The particle size is between 0.9-0.001mm. It is usually a cryptocrystalline structure, relatively dense, and most of them are directionally arranged. Rocks The cleavage is very developed, the thickness is uniform, the hardness is moderate, and the water absorption rate is small. Its lifespan is generally about 100 years.
The color of slate is mostly monochromatic. Such as: gray, yellow, green-gray, green, cyan, black, maroon, red, purple, etc. Due to the simple and pure color, in terms of decoration, it gives people a sense of elegance and elegance. Slate is generally no longer polished, showing its natural shape, forming a natural beauty.
Therefore, the decorative color of sandstone and slate is better than that of marble and granite, and its decoration is also often used in some places rich in cultural connotations.
5. Sandstone
Sandstone is also called sandstone. Due to the movement of the earth's crust, sand and cement (siliceous matter, calcium carbonate, clay, iron oxide, calcium sulfate, etc.) ) A type of sedimentary rock formed by compression and bonding under long-term huge pressure.
Main ingredients:
A. Quartz composition is more than 65%
B. Clay 10% or so
C. Goethite is about 13%
D. More than 10% of other substances
The particles of sand and gravel are uniform, fine in texture, and loose in structure, so the water absorption rate is high (the cost of protection is high), and it has sound insulation, moisture absorption, damage resistance, and weather resistance. , resistant to fading, insoluble in water, non-radioactive and other characteristics. Sandstone sandstone cannot be polished. It is a matte stone that does not produce light pollution caused by light reflection. It is also a natural anti-slip material.
In terms of decorative style, sandstone creates a warm-toned style that is elegant, warm, yet luxurious. In terms of durability, sandstone is definitely comparable to marble and granite. It will not weather or change color. Many buildings built of sandstone one or two hundred years ago still retain their style and charm. According to the characteristics of this type of stone, it is often used for indoor and outdoor wall decoration, furniture, sculptures, and garden construction materials.
Among them, Aotian Aoli sandstone has uniform particles, fine texture, and ideal natural effect. Aotian Aoli sandstone is the hardest among all sandstone varieties. This also determines its good durability.
Aotian Aoli sandstone has now developed four varieties: white sandstone, yellow sandstone, wood grain sand and landscape grain sand.
Uses:
A: Interior and exterior curtain wall decoration, specification boards, floors
B: Furniture, sculptures, pavement and garden construction materials.
C: Carved lines, relief panels, door covers, window covers, vases, Roman columns and other special-shaped processing.
Features:
Autian Aoli sandstone is sound-insulating, moisture-absorbing, damage-resistant, does not weather outdoors, does not dissolve in water, does not grow moss, and is easy to clean.
6. Quartzite
Quartzite is a common and widely distributed rock that is mainly or entirely composed of quartz. This dense, granular rock is a type of metamorphic sandstone in which silica or quartz is deposited within the quartz grains that are the basic component of sandstone. Quartzite also contains trace amounts of other minerals, such as feldspar, mica, rutile, tourmaline and zircon. Quartzite has smooth cross-sections and is found primarily in ancient rocks, such as Cambrian or Precambrian rock formations.
7. Roman stone
Roman stone is made of natural granite and cut into rectangular shapes of (10~15mm)×(10~15mm)×(12~20mm) by a cutting machine. Block is the name of a stone shape used for paving outdoor pavements. Because it was first and most used in Rome, it is also called Roman stone. This kind of stone should maintain a natural fracture surface after cutting. It is mainly variegated and has eye-catching spots, which is a high-grade one. Paving with Roman stone looks very simple and natural, and it is also one of the ways to rationally utilize stone resources. It appears in the form of semicircular splicing on the road. It is often seen around streets and ancient buildings in ancient European cities. In recent years, it has also been used in some cities in my country. There is not much technical basis for paving in the form of a semicircle. Most people think that the semicircle is popular because it is similar to the dome style that often appears in Western architecture.
8. Purple Sandstone - "Red Peach"
A kind of purple sandstone that is almost indistinguishable from natural red peach - "Red Peach" was exhibited at the Laizhou China (International) Stone Exhibition on, launched by Shanghai Shengde Stone Company. This purple sandstone is mixed with stripes and is naturally smooth. The decorative wall surface is indistinguishable from natural wood. It is another new sandstone variety after Yunnan wood grain stone. It is reported that the natural sandstone varieties that have been discovered in mainland China include green, pink, yellow, purple, cyan and red, which account for most of the colors of sandstone. The origin of this sandstone has not yet been made public, but industry insiders speculate that it is in Henan and Inner Mongolia. Red peach wood is just one of the products from this mine.
Also launched with this variety are Sabelli (red), tiger skin sand (yellow), mahogany sand (red), palace red (red, no stripes), fine flower sand (light yellow), fantasy sand (pink) , phoenix tail feathers (grey), red zebra (pink), black peach (purple), red champagne (purple).
According to the three principles of promoting decorative stone to the market, it is to be industrially mined, a single variety has large reserves, and it is decorative. Information on the industrial mining and reserves of this variety has not yet been made public, but its decorative properties have been recognized by the market. .
3. Introduction to artificial stone
Artificial stone, as the name suggests, is not a stone made from 100% natural stone raw materials. According to the different production methods, it can be divided into two types: one is to grind the raw materials into stone powder, then add chemicals, adhesives, etc., and use high pressure to make the boards, and add artificial pigments and imitation original stone textures to the appearance and color to improve the appearance. Lots of variety and options. The other type is called artificial granite. After crushing the original stone, adding colloid and stone vacuum stirring, and using high-pressure vibration to shape it, it is made into pieces of rock blocks, which are then cut into building material slates; In addition to retaining the natural texture, you can also unify the colors through prior selection, add your favorite colors, or embed glass, acrylic, etc. to enrich the diversity of colors.
Commonly used indoor decorative floor materials include granite, pearl oyster and cultural stone. Their hardness is not as hard as natural stone and has obvious texture differences. However, because its price is much lower than that of natural stone, its use is becoming more and more common, especially synthetic granite, which contains 90% of natural raw stone. It overcomes the shortcomings of natural stone that is easy to break and the texture is difficult to control, and retains the original flavor of natural stone. In the global market It occupies a place in the market, and there is even a trend of using floor materials to replace marble and granite.
Introduction to Artificial Marble
With the development of modern construction, decorative materials are required to be lightweight, high-strength, beautiful, and diverse. Artificial veneer stone appeared in this situation. It is light in weight, high in strength, corrosion-resistant, pollution-resistant, easy to construct, and the pattern can be controlled artificially. It is an ideal decorative material for modern buildings.
Artificial marble is composed of modified resin and gravel, and is neutral or alkaline. Artificial stone has a dense structure, so the pores are small, and the probability of disease is very small. In terms of protection, it is mainly anti-fouling. The advantage is that the color can be adjusted, which is convenient for surface decoration. Its disadvantages are insufficient hardness and inconsistent lightness. According to the raw materials used in production and the production process, it can generally be divided into four categories:
Cement type artificial marble This type of artificial marble uses various cements as binders, sand as fine aggregate, crushed marble, and flowers. Granite, industrial waste, etc. are coarse aggregates, which are made by batching, mixing, shaping, pressure steaming, grinding, and polishing. They are commonly known as terrazzo.
Polyester artificial marble is an artificial marble that uses unsaturated polyester as a binder, is stirred and mixed with quartz sand, marble, calcite powder, etc., is cast and molded, and solidifies under the action of a curing agent. , made through demoulding, drying, polishing and other processes. This method is often used to produce artificial marble in our country.
Composite artificial marble This kind of artificial marble is composed of inorganic materials and organic polymer materials. After the filler is bonded and formed with inorganic materials, the green body is immersed in organic monomers to polymerize under certain conditions. For the board, the bottom layer is made of low-cost and stable inorganic materials, and the surface layer is made of polyester and marble powder.
Sintered artificial marble is a type of artificial marble that is made by mixing feldspar, quartz, pyroxene, calcite powder, hematite powder and a small amount of kaolin, using a slurry method to prepare the blank, and using a semi-dry pressing method to shape it. , sintered in a kiln at a high temperature of about 1000°C.
Among the above four types of artificial marble decorative panels, the polyester type is the most commonly used. It has the best physical and chemical properties, the pattern is easy to design, is reproducible, and is suitable for a variety of purposes, but the price is relatively high. ; Cement type is the cheapest, but has poor corrosion resistance and is prone to micro-cracks, so it is only suitable for making boards. The other two production processes are complex and have few applications.
Polyester artificial marble (often referred to as artificial marble) is processed to imitate the surface texture of marble. It has similar mechanical characteristics to marble, and the pattern can be controlled and determined by the designer, and has good reproducibility. ; Moreover, artificial marble is light in weight, high in strength, thin in thickness, has good corrosion resistance, anti-pollution, and has good processability. It can be made into arcs, curved surfaces and other shapes, and is easy to construct.
Microcrystalline stone
1. Formation: Microcrystalline stone is also a kind of artificial stone, which is formed by the vitrification of the surface of minerals containing silicon oxide under the action of high temperature. artificial stone.
2. Ingredients: The main ingredient is silicon oxide.
3. Properties: Acidic.
4. Structure: The structure is very dense, its brightness and wear resistance are better than granite and marble, and it is not prone to disease.
Because the hardness of microcrystalline stone is too high and there are tiny bubbles, it is not conducive to renovation and grinding.
Vitrified tiles
1. Formation: Vitrified tiles are also called full-body tiles, vitrified tiles, and polished tiles. The professional name is porcelain vitrified tiles. It is made of quartz sand and clay, and then polished with abrasive tools to make the surface as bright and smooth as a mirror.
2. Properties: weakly acidic.
3. Structural features:
(1) The color is bright and soft, with no obvious color difference.
(2), High-temperature sintering and complete porcelainization produce various crystals such as mullite, with stable physical and chemical properties, strong corrosion resistance and stain resistance,
(3), The thickness is relatively thin, the flexural strength is high, the brick body is lightweight, and the building load is reduced.
(4) No harmful elements.
(5). The flexural strength is greater than 45Mpa (the flexural strength of granite is about 17-20Mpa).
4. The world's stone materials are developing towards thinner ones
International stone consumption trends show that the world's stone products are increasingly developing towards thinner ones. In the 1980s, the thickness of stone was 10 mm to 15 mm; in the 1990s, the thickness of stone was reduced to less than 8 mm. After Italy produced 6.5 mm thick granite tiles, Sweden produced 4 mm thick granite tiles. For stone tiles, marble slabs with a thickness of only 3 mm are currently on the market. The biggest advantage of ultra-thin boards is that they are light in weight and can be fixed on the wall with ordinary adhesives. At the same time, making ultra-thin boards can save a lot of stone resources and effectively utilize them.
According to a recent survey conducted by the American "World Stone" magazine, 84.4% of the stone dealers surveyed believe that the world stone market will still maintain development momentum in the next 5 to 10 years; 84.3 % of the respondents predict that the average annual growth rate of the world stone industry will reach 6%.
According to Italian industry estimates, in 2005, world stone consumption will reach 878 million square meters, and the demand for rough materials will reach more than 80 million tons; in 2010, stone consumption will reach 11. 8.6 billion square meters, the demand for blocks will reach 108.6 million tons; in 2015, the consumption of stone will reach 1.6 billion square meters, the demand for blocks will reach 146.7 million tons; in 2025, the consumption of stone will reach 4 billion square meters. Among them, marble accounts for 50%, granite accounts for 45%, and the remaining 5% is sandstone, slate, basalt, limestone, agate stone, etc.
Although plastics, ceramics and other building materials have been widely used and have occupied part of the stone market, stone is still the first choice material for building decoration projects due to its unique natural advantages. Red, yellow, green, black, blue, and white stones will still be valuable varieties, and some alternative varieties will also be popular, but manufacturers will have higher and higher quality requirements. With the improvement of fire protection requirements, advancement of installation technology, and glass curtains