How to make marble from concrete? Artificial marble made of gypsum.

Finishing work using natural stone is a very expensive pleasure. Choosing natural marble of the appropriate tone is quite problematic. Mastering the production of artificial marble with your own hands is not very difficult. Important point in the manufacture of artificial marble - a correctly made mold for casting.

In fact, artificial marble, the manufacturing technology of which is outlined in this article, is an alloy acrylic resins and mineral fillers. This material has sufficient strength, and when making artificial marble with your own hands, it can be given the desired shape. This could be a countertop for the kitchen or for a bar counter, steps, sink, sink or original vase for garden.

Composition and special properties of artificial marble

The main components of cast marble are polyester resin and pigment mineral dyes and hardeners. Having mastered the mixing technique, you can get streaks and stains that are practically indistinguishable from stains and veins on natural marble.

1. The material is non-flammable and dielectric, i.e. does not conduct electricity, so it can be used for any finishing works no limits. Resistance to alkaline preparations and chemical solvents contributes to its hygiene and allows it to be used as countertops and kitchen sinks.
2. The composition of cast marble has a homogeneous structure, does not delaminate, is resistant to corrosion and is environmentally friendly pure material. The outer surface of cast marble is gelcoat and has decorative and protective functions. The filler is polyester resin mixed with multi-colored mineral chips and pigment dyes. To obtain a durable mass, a hardener is added.
3. More simple methods The manufacture of artificial marble involves the use of cement-concrete mixtures and crushed stone as a filler. Pebbles, quartz fine crushed stone and tinted sand are often used.

Manufacturing technology of artificial marble with concrete filler

This method is very simple and affordable, both in terms of manufacturing technology and costs. Due to this, this method is widely popular. Countertops and kitchen boards are highly durable, and environmentally friendly materials are used in their production.

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 that the frame is detachable for ease of removal of the finished product. The mold can be ordered from a workshop, but it is quite expensive.
2. The inner surface of the mold is coated with gelcoat. Gel coats vary in color and environment of use. Choose a moisture-resistant gelcoat and only after it has completely dried, you can fill the form with concrete or gypsum mortar– filler. Used as a plasticizer and filler slaked lime or clay.
3. Prepare the filler for the bulk of the product. To do this, mix sand and cement in a 2:1 ratio, add crushed stone or pebbles and a plasticizer as filler. Mix thoroughly, preferably in a mixer, until smooth. Pigment dye is added to different sectors of the container with filler in uneven portions and mixed until veins and spots are created.
4. The form is set in a strictly horizontal position and in it in small portions a mass of artificial liquid marble pours out. Make sure that all the voids in the matrix are filled. Excess mortar is removed with a spatula, cover the top of the fill plastic film. Depending on the thickness, artificial marble dries from 24 hours to natural conditions and at above-zero temperatures. The dried slab is removed from the mold and processed grinder and transparent polish.

Cast marble based on polyester resins

This method is a little more expensive, but the result is a beautiful texture. outer covering. The material is very durable and lightweight, resistant to external mechanical and chemical influences.

1. The first option is to prepare polymer concrete. Take 20-25% polyester resin and 80-75% filler. In this capacity you can use quartz sand or other neutral colored mineral, finely crushed 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% crushed stone or quartz sand. Coloring is done with acrylic-based pigments.
3. The form is filled and leveled over the surface of the matrix with a spatula. As a filler, you can use a chipboard board cut 5 cm smaller than the contour of the form. It is pressed into the mass, and the protruding excess is leveled back side castings
4. The dried and hardened product is removed from the mold and can be easily processed. It is amenable to grinding, drilling and other mechanical processing.

Making artificial marble from gypsum

Making artificial marble from gypsum at home is an affordable process and does not require any special expenses.

1. First, water is prepared, dry gypsum, wood glue and resin dissolved in a hot turpentine bath are added to it. Acrylic dyes or pigment are added to the thoroughly mixed mixture and stirred until streaks and streaks are obtained.
2. For getting milky artificial marble, per 200 grams of white gumax, add 1000 technical alcohol and 50 dry gypsum. For a brown or coffee tone, use orange humilax. To obtain a black polish, aniline dye is used.
3. The liquid mass is poured into plastic or polyurethane mold. To remove excess water and set faster, the mass is sprinkled with dry plaster on top. After 8 - 10 hours the product can be removed from the mold. To create a waterproof front surface, it is treated with potassium silicate.
4. Can be immersed in a bath or brushed generously on both sides. After drying, the surface is polished with soft felt or a similar abrasive agent with the addition of polish of the desired shade. The surface is processed until a perfectly smooth mirror surface is obtained.

Natural stone has excellent performance qualities, but is very expensive, which is why many owners strive to make artificial marble with their own hands, resulting in a wonderful material with excellent characteristics.

What is artificial marble - characteristics and advantages

Artificial marble is a finishing material that imitates natural stone. It can be done different ways.Most often the following materials are used for this:

• concrete;
• polyester resin;
• gypsum.

The availability of imitation materials has made them extremely popular, which is why today many are interested in how to make artificial marble. Natural stone is good not only for its technical characteristics, durability and reliability, but also excellent appearance. Marble has stains, stains, and veins. It seems that artificial materials cannot look as attractive. But that's not true. Repeat invoice natural stone Can. To do this, when creating artificial materials, you need to add special dyes or fillers to the mixture used.

Artificial marble is widely used as it has many positive qualities.These include:

• high strength;
• resistance to high temperatures;
• dielectricity (does not conduct electric current);
• environmental cleanliness;
• resistance to chemicals;
• impact resistance;
• low cost.

These advantages have determined the widest scope of application of artificial stone and marble. Materials are used to decorate houses, apartments and non-residential premises, they are used to create countertops, bar counters, bathtubs, fountains and even sculptures; they are used to decorate heating radiators, stoves and ovens.

Creating artificial stone from concrete is the most affordable way

Perhaps this is the simplest and most affordable way to create a material that imitates the visual characteristics of natural stone. It is very popular due to its low cost and the ability to do everything necessary work at home. To create an imitation stone with your own hands, prepare a special matrix (mold). The mold can be made of plastic, plaster or any other material. The most important thing is that the surface of the matrix is ​​dry and completely smooth, and that the outer frame is detachable. The easiest way is to order such a form from professionals, although to save money you can do everything you need yourself.

The inner surface of the finished mold is coated with gelcoat. This material may differ in color, it is only important that it is moisture resistant. We carry out further work only after the gelcoat has completely dried. To prepare the main mass, which will become our marble, we mix sand and cement in a ratio of two to one. The role of filler in the solution can be played by pebbles or crushed stone with a plasticizer. Place the resulting mixture in the mold and mix thoroughly. You can use a mixer or other technical means to mix the ingredients.

Now dyes should be added unevenly to different sectors of the form with the solution. After this, carefully mix the dyes to achieve the formation of spots and veins characteristic of natural stone. All that remains is to set the mold horizontally so that the mass evenly fills all its segments. Next, remove the excess solution from the mold and cover it with plastic wrap to dry. Depending on the thickness of the mold, it may take from several hours to a day for the mass to dry completely.

The finished product should be removed from the mold as carefully as possible and treated with a grinding machine and then with a transparent polish. Now the product is ready.

Cast marble made of polyester resins - instructions for use

This method of creating natural stone is no less popular, but requires large financial investments. To create marble you will need a special gel coating, quartz sand, release agent, unsaturated polyester resins, pigments, hardeners and molds. First, let's prepare the forms for use. Their appearance and sizes depend on the desired result. We lubricate the molds with a release agent and cover them with gel to give the finished product a shine.

Now prepare the main mixture. To do this, you will need the following ingredients: polyester resins, quartz sand with flour, pigments and hardeners. The ratio of elements must be selected in accordance with the goals pursued, the requirements for visual characteristics and technical parameters material. The proportions of the components can be found on the packaging. In a separate container, thoroughly mix all the prepared materials and prepare them for pouring into molds.

After filling the mold, shake it thoroughly to remove unnecessary air from the mass, which can cause the formation of air gaps, spoiling the appearance and strength of marble. Next, you need to leave the solution to dry. This procedure can take from 30 minutes to 12 hours. The dried mixture remains to be carefully removed from the mold and sanded.

Imitation stone from gypsum mixture - homemade

The last common method of creating artificial stone involves using gypsum as a base. This procedure does not require significant financial costs and can be performed by anyone at home. To make an imitation stone from gypsum, we prepare a special solution consisting of water, gypsum, glue and resin, which must first be dissolved in turpentine hot bath. Now you need to add dye to the mixture and mix the solution until veins form in it, which will make the material look like stone.

For the material to have a juicy milky tint, per 200 g Humilaxa you need to take 50 grams of gypsum and 1 kg of alcohol. Orange gives marble its brown tint Gumilax, and for black and other dark tones it is better to use acrylic paint. The prepared mass must be poured into the mold. To increase the speed of drying of marble and get rid of excess liquid, sprinkle the mold with plaster. The product will require up to 10 hours of drying, after which it can be removed from the mold.

To fake diamond had good moisture resistance, it can be treated with potassium silicate. We immerse the material for a few seconds in a bath of solution or coat it with a brush. To give the surface additional shine after the potassium silicate has dried, polish the product with felt or any abrasive means.

Rules of care - how to preserve the original appearance of the material?

A self-created artificial material, although it has high strength and resistance to external influences, still requires special care. This way you can significantly extend its service life.

1. 1. Do not use cleaning products containing drying oil to wipe marble.
2. 2. It is highly undesirable to use products containing silicone for cleaning.
3. 3. It is best to clean the surface of products using a soft cloth.
4. 4. Do not use sponges, brushes or other cleaning products that can scratch upper layer marble.
5. 5. We recommend using gel products instead of abrasive cleaners.
6. 6. For regular cleaning, use regular soap.
7. 7. To maintain a glossy shine, wipe the surfaces with a special solution. Dilute a little into 3 liters of water liquid soap. You can also periodically rub the surface of the marble with a clean towel.

Artificial marble is beautiful and accessible remedy for home decoration. It can be used for a variety of purposes, but making the material yourself is not enough. Marble needs to be looked after, kept clean and protected from adverse influences. Compliance with the above rules guarantees a long service life of the most beautiful and spectacular elements of your interior.

Not everyone can afford to finish surfaces with natural materials, due to the high price of products and work. The process involves not only laying marble on a specific surface, but also processing it, which is done with a specialized tool. Various quantity polymer concretes belong to the subcategories of artificial marble.

Marble finishing in large quantities can be done with your own hands, by organized production at home. An obvious advantage is the production of artificial marble of the required shape and consistency, which is unique and cannot be found on the market. The general composition of accessories for making artificial marble at home does not change depending on the required shape of the product.

Properties of artificial marble

The main components of artificial marble are polyester resins, which are wear-resistant and durable. An alloy of mineral fillers, dyes, and various acrylic resins are used in production. The composition of artificial marble varies depending on the work and the type of product. More budget-friendly variations involve the use of crushed quartz crushed stone, pebbles, concrete-cement mixture, and tinted sand.

The homogeneous structure is an obvious advantage; the material does not delaminate and is not flammable. Artificial marble does not conduct electricity, does not burn, and is used in various fields. Products in the form of accessories for kitchen and bathroom utensils may have excellent anti-corrosion properties and resistance to cleaning chemicals.

There are several varieties of material, it is divided into casting, stone, liquid composition. There are many varieties that are used in production and industry. The main purpose of the material is finishing facades and offices, making countertops, fountains, and kitchen utensils.

The base of the material consists of a neutral mineral, quartz chips, crushed marble and others, combined with polyester resin. The added mineral allows you to turn liquid marble into a kind of granite, jasper or malachite stone. To make the composition, you will need to prepare the ingredients and preliminary solutions:

1. Mixed polyester type resin, one to four ratio with mineral. This type The solution belongs to polymer concrete and is necessary for subsequent use in the manufacture of artificial marble.
2. Butacrylic solution is made by mixing AST-T and butacryl in proportions of 1 to 1. Half the volume of crushed crushed stone is added to the resulting mixture.

Do-it-yourself cast marble is made using the following auxiliary substances: river sand, gelcoat, pigment and plasticizer. Compliance with the production stages will allow you to produce a high-quality product:

• The mold for the product is coated with gelcoat.
• The prepared solution is laid out in a mold, the excess is removed.
• The mold is covered with an airtight film and left for 12 hours in a dry place.
• The finished stone is removed from its shape and dried in a well-ventilated area or in the fresh air.

The hardened stone can be further polished to achieve shine. The manufacturing process does not take a lot of effort and time, but the components are not always freely available, and the price of the final product is high. Based on this, it is worth considering similar methods for producing artificial marble from other components.

The preparation of the composition from gypsum is made by mixing a mixture of water and glue, which is applied to the product and sanded to a shine. Gypsum marble is tinted to achieve the desired result; the basic appearance is similar to lapis lazuli, malachite and other types of materials. Production does not require expensive materials; it is necessary to properly prepare the solution, following several steps:

• Wood glue with dry plaster is mixed with water.
• Next you need to add the melted resin.
• After uniform stirring, the pigment is added.
• Mixing occurs until streaks and natural inclusions appear.
• The solution is poured into the prepared mold, and excess mixture is removed using dry gypsum.
• Hardening occurs within 8-12 hours, depending on temperature environment and humidity.
• Waterproof properties are imparted by potassium silicate, which is applied on top of the product.
• Polishing is done using specialized abrasives; if you don’t have them, you can use soft felt.

It is important to know that for the finished product with a natural color, a special mixture is used. Artificial marble made from gypsum turns out more natural if you mix 200 grams of gumilax, a liter of alcohol, and 50 grams of gypsum.

Aniline dye will give the product a black tint, and orange gumilax will look more light color. Do-it-yourself touchstone marble is the most accessible due to the low cost of the ingredients. The design is light and durable, and is successfully used in residential premises.

Artificial marble with concrete filler

An accessible production method, simple production from available materials, low costs make concrete filler one of the popular marbles to use. It is quite simple to produce artificial marble; the production technology is similar to the casting method, but there are some nuances:

• The mold is coated from the inside with a moisture-resistant gelcoat and completely dries.
• In preparation concrete mixture using clay or slaked lime.
• The filler is prepared from a 2 to 1 mixture river sand and cement, not large quantity pebbles. The composition is filled with water, approximately 80% of the container volume, pigment for natural color is added at a ratio of 1 percent of the total mass of the solution. Mixing takes place with a mixer, the duration of the operation is from 30 seconds to a minute.
• The resulting solution is poured into molds, completely filling the empty spaces; excess is removed with a spatula or other available tool.
• Drying occurs with a covered form for 24 hours, after which the material is processed grinder.

The finished product will allow you not to waste time on manufacturing, but will not be able to fully meet the necessary parameters.

The most affordable is ground artificial marble, which is durable and highly resistant to moisture. The liquid product is used for difficult-to-make forms; it can be cut with a knife and made into any product.

Manufacturing technology

The production of the finished product is not difficult and not expensive; you will need several available materials for making molds, grinding machine. Do-it-yourself artificial marble is obtained by following the technological process; just follow a few simple steps. The production of artificial marble makes it possible to obtain ready product the desired type, give the structure uniqueness, and ensure the proper appearance.

Preparatory work

Before any work you will need necessary materials. To obtain artificial marble you will need:

• Filler that is selected according to the budget. Ideally, marble chips are used; for a cheaper process, you should pay attention to crushed stone, quartz sand or a cement-sand mixture.
• Depending on the recipe and the desired result, a polyester resin is selected, preferably with an alcohol composition, as saturated as possible.
• Important parameters of high strength are achieved by using a hardener.
• Prepared dyes give the product color.

The materials necessary for the production of artificial marble with your own hands can be purchased in specialized stores in construction markets. Only after everyone preparatory work it is possible to begin work on the production of a mixture of material.

Preparation of the solution

The solution is prepared in a special container. The prepared ingredients are mixed in accordance with the proportions and recipe; the main requirements for mixing are the absence of lumps and a homogeneous mass at the output. For small volumes, it is possible to use an electric drill with a special stirring attachment, similar to a butterfly. Large volumes are mixed with a construction mixer.

Preparing and filling out the form

Before making a mold, it is necessary to determine whether it is advisable to produce a collapsible mold, because there are designs that are made once. The main materials for making molds are gypsum, polyurethane, plastic and others. The strength of the form depends on the volume and mass of the solution. Flow production involves division into sectors, this method used when several products are made from a homogeneous composition.

The forms must be pre-polished and material applied to prevent adhesion. The gelcoat is sprayed onto the surface with a special cup device, then allowed to settle until completely cured. After pouring the material, it is necessary to remove air bubbles. This procedure is performed manually by piercing the mass over the entire area; for a faster, automated process you will need a vibrating table.

Hardening depends on the volume of the product and the ambient temperature. Filling is done in small layers to completely fill the form. The appearance of cracks on the surface of artificial marble is avoided by sealing with polyethylene or other available material.

Processing of the finished slab and subsequent care

The finished slab is processed with a grinding machine until shiny. Final polishing is done with felt; for a more pronounced shine, a polish is used, the color of which depends on the product.

Subsequent care requires special care; aggressive detergents can scratch the surface and remove shine. Removal of dirt is done with a soft cloth or a special sponge. To maintain shine, dilute a solution of detergent with water. The shine is maintained by rubbing with a towel after washing.

Usage

The manufacturing process differs depending on the materials and purpose of the structure. Products made from artificial marble are widely used in the decoration of residential premises and administrative buildings. Artificial marble tiles are used for making stairs, building facades, and other areas.

Cheap material compared to natural stones, is used everywhere due to waste-free production and ease of maintenance. Marble is being replaced by artificial stone, used in various areas of construction, some forms and types are used certain types industry. It is possible to make artificial granite with your own hands using the casting method as an example, but the process will require a lot of effort as a consequence of the changed technological process.

For centuries, marble has been used to decorate interior and external decoration Houses. This breed is rare and expensive natural material, which not everyone can afford. The latest developments in the field of construction have created an unusual finishing product - concrete marble, which can be made even at home.

Properties of artificial stone

A number of undoubted advantages can make artificial stone the most popular material for finishing indoors and outdoors. The material imitates the shape and structure of a natural mineral. Thanks to the ability to use a wide palette of colors for painting concrete, you can get concrete panels various shades.

Artificial marble has excellent physical and chemical qualities. It has durable properties. The material is not subject to deformation when exposed to high and low temperatures. It does not burn, so its use is important for finishing stoves and fireplaces.

The stone has low thermal conductivity and can serve as additional thermal insulation for the facade. Another undoubted advantage is that it does not conduct electricity. It is often used to insulate and decorate ovens, radiators and other electrical devices.

Unique color and pattern does not fade under ultraviolet rays. The material is well resistant to moisture. Thanks to its durable properties, concrete objects can last a long time. If cracks appear, unnatural marble can be easily restored and return to its original appearance. In addition, it does not emit toxic substances into the atmosphere, which indicates a high level of environmental friendliness. The production process does not leave waste, so the use of concrete stone is effective and profitable.

When all the ingredients are mixed, the resulting mixture can take any shape. The connection of its parts occurs according to the principle of puzzles. All joints are reliably bonded to each other using adhesives and provide high strength to the entire surface.

Artificial stone is lightweight in contrast to natural mineral, so it is easier to process and install. Typically, the material is created according to the initially specified parameters. Natural marble requires additional polishing and trimming before installation.

Application area

The material externally accurately imitates the pattern of natural rock, but unlike it, it has affordable price. It is 8-10 times cheaper and its performance properties are not inferior to natural rock.

Finishing with this building product will add chic and sophistication to the interior and facades of the building. For arranging indoor surfaces, it is used as an alternative to ceramic tiles, as floor coverings, making sinks and countertops, fountains or decorative sculptures, installing bar counters, fireplaces and much more.

How to cook it yourself

The technology for producing the material is not difficult, so marble from concrete can be easily prepared by yourself. Before you start manufacturing, you should study the specifics this process, then prepare all the necessary components.

To mix the panels you will need the following materials:

• cement marked M400 or M500;
• polyurethane mold or matrix (any plastic container will do);
• plasticizer S-3 - a special solution that increases the strength of concrete;
• water;
• fine sand;
• polyethylene film;
• a pigment that will not dissolve in water (oil paint will do);
• fine gravel, pebbles or ceramic chips as filler;
• drill with mixer attachment.

All ingredients are mixed at home. If all the nuances of production are correctly observed, the resulting material will be so similar to natural marble that at first glance it will be difficult for an uninitiated passerby to determine what the object is made of.

To make a stone you will need plastic molds. You can purchase special products or make them yourself. To make a window sill, a regular tray of the required size will do.

If there is no suitable container, you can make them from plastic panels. To do this, the sheets are fastened together.

Production technology

After preparing all the necessary components, you should begin preparing the mixture. All work is done in a clean container. The mixing solution has standard proportions of 1 to 3 parts. Fine sand is added to dry cement, which is pre-screened.

This must be done through a fine mesh so that the solution is homogeneous in consistency. Then the filler is mixed. Small pebbles or crushed stone are most often used as it. In addition, you can use crushed expanded clay, pumice or ceramic chips.

Creating Color

According to the technology, a coloring pigment is added to the finished solution. It does not need to be thoroughly mixed. On the contrary, in order for the artificial stone to be more like a natural mineral, the composition should be made as heterogeneous as possible. Paint of several shades is often added to create an unusual pattern on the poured object. Various bends, streaks, convolutions, dots or spots may appear on it. At this stage, you can give free rein to your imagination. Mixing colors in a variety of ways can lead to unexpected results. The amount of pigment should be 1% of the dry mass.

After introducing the pigment into the solution, it must be shaken thoroughly. Typically a vibrating table is used for this. For frequent use, you can make it yourself. But if the artificial stone is being made for the first and only time, then just shake the resulting mixture with your hands.

Next, water is added at a rate of one to two in relation to the dry component. First, about 80% of the solvent is poured in, everything is thoroughly mixed. Then a plasticizer is introduced, which serves to enhance the strength of the future object.

This element must constitute at least 1% of the total mass. Mix everything again and leave it alone for a few minutes. The material becomes plastic and viscous. After this, the remaining 20% ​​of water is poured in and distributed throughout the composition.

Then the prepared solution is poured into pre-prepared molds. Cover it with plastic wrap on top and leave until completely hardened. To increase the strength of the material, a metal reinforcing mesh is placed in the liquid mixture.

After hardening ready-made panels taken out of the molds and subjected to careful polishing. For this purpose, special equipment can be used diamond blades. After treatment, the surface becomes even and smooth.

The manufacturing technology must be strictly followed. If you skip any stage, marble from concrete may not meet the quality.

Before installing the manufactured panels, it is necessary to prepare and clean the surface on which the installation will be carried out from climatic precipitation. This must be done with special care.

Various materials and products made from cultured marble made from concrete are considered to be as attractive, elegant, durable and durable as similar items made from real natural rock. The production of this product in Russia first began more than 30 years ago, during which time it has been improved and reached high level. It copies the appearance of the stone so accurately that the untrained eye cannot distinguish the imitation.