The quartz surface is the result of innovation from a classic material, created from specialized treatments and in combination with other minerals, achieving a material that offers a wide range of benefits for use on kitchen, bathroom, furniture, and floor and surface surfaces. Coatings.
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Quartz is one of the most resistant materials on earth. In its pure state – and without impurities – it is called rock crystal. It is composed of silicon dioxide and is considered one of the most abundant minerals on the earth’s surface. There are many deposits of different quartz types around the world, and it is possible to find them on any continent. It is one of the most studied minerals since there are many varieties, which are differentiated by color, size, inclusions, and so on.
Its extraction is of great importance in the construction industry in the finishing area and specialized crystals, electronics, jewelry, and optics.
The exploitation of quartz is carried out with explosives in the open. After its extraction with specialized machinery, crushing, concentration, purification, and separation begins, for its different uses and applications.
- Technological development
The exploitation of quartz is carried out with explosives in the open. After its extraction with specialized machinery, crushing, concentration, purification, and separation begins, for its different uses and applications.
For the construction industry, several brands have been dedicated to studying and testing the material, striving to develop an improved version, the same one currently used in most projects; since the benefits and costs they offer are many, allowing the creation of unique spaces and designs.
In general terms, quartz surfaces are composed of 94% natural quartz, added to pigments and polymeric resins. A uniform, high-resistance surface is achieved, ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, furniture, floors, and coatings.
The exploitation of quartz is carried out with explosives in the open. After its extraction with specialized machinery, crushing, concentration, purification, and separation begins, for its different uses and applications.
They are large-format surfaces and varied thicknesses, some ultra-compact, which allows a wide variety of innovative designs to be made. It is a highly resistant surface to impact and scratches due to its quartz composition. It is not porous, making it a material resistant to stains that could be made with daily use; there is a wide range of colors and various textures that allow architects and designers to adapt the product to their projects.
High resistance to UV rays does not lose its properties and does not degrade color over time. The recycled raw material is used in its composition, making it a sustainable material. It is one hundred percent hygienic, inert, and non-toxic. Prestigious manufacturers guarantee it for up to 25 years.
- Production process
The manufacture of quartz surface covers is carried out through an automated process of 5 manufacturing and two revision stages. After selecting the quartz raw materials and resins, they are fed into a mixer. After creating a homogeneous paste, they are poured into molds in which slabs of different dimensions are formed. Depending on the supplier, they are offered in dimensions ranging from 120 x 57 inches (306 x 144 cms) to special orders, while the thicknesses range from 8mm to 30mm.
Subsequently, the compaction of the material is carried out under vacuum and vibration at a pressure of 100 tons. It is transferred to ovens so that later the last procedure, which is one of the most important, is carried out, polishing. This is where the range of different textures offered begins to be realized. Finally, a quality inspection of the final material is carried out, and the labeling is carried out with the necessary information for the application and characteristics.
- Interesting corporations
Another of the materials most used in interior design for kitchen and bathroom surfaces in granite since like quartz. It is a very durable element. We will talk about this material fully in a future edition of this magazine, for the moment we want to make some simple comparisons between granite and quartz.
Granite is a natural stone cut in its natural state and later polished for use on the bathroom, kitchen, floor, and furniture covers, among other applications.
It is a material that, being natural, does not provide color options since each piece is different, making it impossible to homologate the same plate. It requires more excellent care in handling the material and installation and periodic maintenance so that they have the expected durability.