Marble processing technology

Due to its suppleness in processing, unique beautiful pattern and color, marble occupies a special place in construction and architecture. This natural stone gives the house a special status and sophistication. But in order to reflect all the beauty of marble, you need to work hard on it. Marble processing is performed in several different ways. At the same time, it is important to observe the technology and the sequence of work, and then the stone will come to life and will play with all its colors.

1. Marble processing technology
2. Marble processing tool
3. The stages of marble processing
   • Sprinkled marble
   • Grinding marble
   • Cleaning marble
   • Grinding antik
   • Polishing and patching marble
   • Crystallization of marble

Marble processing technology

Marble, like any other natural stone, is processed in several different ways. But stone processing technologies are only two mechanical and thermal.

With heat treatment The surface of the stone is heated to high temperatures or exposed to high pressure. This processing technology is most often used in industrial enterprises, where there are the necessary capacities and equipment. But it should be noted that thermal technology refers to the processing of stone with various acids and concentrated surface-active substances.

Mechanical processing technologyhe speaks for itself. The surface of the stone is exposed to various abrasive tools. This processing technology is used both in specialized enterprises and individual stone masters.

Thermal and mechanical technologies of stone processing are used for all stone breeds. Each of these two processing technologies is characterized by its own processing methods. Below are those methods that are used in the processing of marble.

The mechanical technology of marble processing includes the following processing methods:

• cut. In fact, this is the initial stage of processing. The marble mined from the career is sawn on the plates and then goes to the final customer or enters further processing. In the first case, the cut marble has an uneven and rough surface with a well -expressed pattern;
• grinding. This is the next stage of marble processing. In this case, the polished stone can be left in this form or sent for further processing. If grinding is the final step, then as a result of marble will be a slightly dull and matte surface. Typically, polished marble is used in rooms where an anti -slip surface is required;

• point processing. This method of processing marble allows you to create various sculptures made of marble, as well as cutting bas -reliefs on its surface. This option for processing marble is one of the most popular, since marble is a soft breed, and sculptors enjoy this with pleasure;

• polishing. This method of processing marble refers to finish work. It allows you to reflect the pattern and color of marble as much as possible. A sparkling glossy surface of the stone will be mirror, reflecting the surrounding space. In addition, the polished surface is pleasant to the touch and absolutely smooth;

• artificial aging of marble. This method of processing is also called boocarlation. It allows you to give a new stone an old look. Bucharding refers to the finishing work on stone processing;

The thermal technology of marble processing includes the following processing methods:

• heat treatment. This method of processing is used in industrial conditions and consists in short -term heating of the surface of the stone to melting temperature. The result is a rough surface on which traces of peeling are visible. Such processing is used to give the surface of the marble of additional strength;

• crystallization. This processing option is similar to heat treatment. He pursues the same goals to give the surface of the strength. But unlike heat treatment, crystallization is performed using special chemicals, the so-called pavs (surface-active substances) and various acids. As a result, the surface acquires additional strength and becomes a mirror, with a clearly expressed color and a pattern of stone.

As you can see, as a result of mechanical and thermal processing of marble, its texture acquires a completely different surface. This allows you to use marble in various places and for various purposes. For example, marble with a sawn or heat -processed surface can be used for garden paths. But the grinded is good for the steps of the stairs. At the same time, marble with a polished and placed surface can be used for flooring, external walls of the facades. As well as for decorating and finishing the interior.

Marble processing tool

In its structure, the stone is divided into solid and soft rocks. Marble is soft, which has earned the special devotion of the masters in working with the stone. But, despite the high softness, marble processing work is quite laborious and require the use of a tool with high accuracy and observing a technological sequence. Today, manual marble processing goes into the past and a variety of tools are used to process it. It can be both stationary marble processing machines, as well as manual drills, and grinding machines for stone.

For sawing slabs of marble on smaller slabs, special machines are used, such as Fraccaroli FB/G 3500. Such machines are classified by power and purpose. It can be tile machines, console and bridge. So the tile machine is designed to cut stone in place and can be used both indoors and outside. But the pavement is only inside specially equipped rooms. In addition, such machines can be intended for wet cutting with water supply or for dry cutting without water supply.

An example of a melting machine with water supply is the Manta LX TB 120/750 from the manufacturer Nuova Mondial MEC. It is compact and powerful enough to cut a stone up to 300 mm thick and up to 700 mm long.

Cutting and grinding marble is performed using hydroabraseic cutting. A tool of this type is quite universal and can be used for other types of stone. A similar tool is quite expensive, and only enterprises specializing in working with stone can afford it.

For grinding and polishing of marble, various types of grinder and polo are used. These tools are equipped with speed regulators, water supply, soft starting and other useful options that provide maximum grinding quality with minimum costs of materials and forces. An example is the grinding and polishing machine LW 802 VR manufactured by FLEX or a grinding machine of sleep 430 AA.

In addition to the above tools for processing marble, various hand Boers with interchangeable nozzles. As well as CNC machines for the manufacture of elements such as balusters and bas -reliefs.

But the tools and machines themselves can do little to do without special mills and polishing circles. There are a large number of different mills and circles. But all of them are divided into four groups: end cutters, specialized mills, grinding circles and grinding wheels. Separately, it is worth highlighting disk saws that are used only on cutting machines.

End millsthey are used in the processing of the ends of the product made of stone. Profile cutters are used for grinding, polishing and profile processing of edges without using a stencil. Mills are used with stationary machines or small -sized tools.

Abrasive circles and grinding wheels Used for grinding and polishing the surface of marble. They are installed on console-polishing machines or edge-grinding machines.

Separately, it is worth highlighting abrasive and diamond brushes for artificial aging. They are used to give marble to the ancient species. An example is the brush from Frankfurt Diam-S and Airflex.

The stages of marble processing

Most of the marble entering the sale undergo preliminary processing at the manufacturer's enterprises. It consists in the cut and gross grinding, as well as impregnating the surface with polymer resins. This technological approach allows you to close microcracks and caverns. In addition, this protects marble from damage during transportation. Such marble requires additional manual processing directly in place. Of course, there are already finished marble products, polished from a crystallized surface on sale. But over time, the surface of marble still wears out and requires restoration. Knowing how and what to do, and the most important thing in what sequence, you can do marble processing without any problems with your own hands.

The sequence of marble processing looks as follows:

• cut and cut of marble;
• grinding. Simultaneously with grinding, if necessary, you can clean;
• artificial aging (optional);
• polishing and clinging. Simultaneously with polishing, you can also color marble;
• crystallization of marble.

Sprinkled marble

As already noted, this type of work is quite simple. It is performed on special machines and any secrets, as done, is not. It is enough to put on the machine limiters to a certain size and then carefully perform the work themselves. The cut and fit of marble plates most often have to be performed at the first laying of them. But if during operation it becomes necessary to replace part of the stairs, floor or plates on the wall, then you will also have to perform the cut of marble.

But despite the simplicity of this operation, two important points should be noted. Firstly, cutting work is most conveniently carried out on machines with water cooling. This will extend the life of the machine itself, and also relieve dust. Secondly, choosing a cutting machine, pay attention to the possibility of cutting at an angle. This simple option will expand the range of opportunities in the use of marble products.

Grinding marble

After the installation of marble plates, as well as in the process of their restoration, grinding of the surface is not rarely required. This allows you to align small changes and eliminate chips and potholes. Grinding is performed using an angular grinding machine with grinding diamond or corundum circles installed on it.

The grinding works themselves look as follows:

• prepare a blurred solution, dilute the concentrated surfactant and moisten the surface. We select the proportion according to the instructions on the packaging;
• using a grinder, remove the excess. If the processed area is very different in color from the rest, then we grind. The main thing is to try to remove the minimum layer of stone from the surface;
• using an industrial vacuum cleaner, remove the excess solution and let the surfaces dry;
• we apply protective equipment.

Cleaning marble

After grinding, it is not rarely possible to notice various pollution, which were eaten into the structure of the stone. To eliminate them, you will have to clean the stone. The work consists in applying cleaning agents to the surface for a certain time. After cleaning agents enter the chemical reaction, you can grind the surface. Below are marble remedies.

High -tech concentrated sur It is used to eliminate surface pollution and previously inflicted protective equipment.

Spring -acid cleaning agents They are used to eliminate various metals oxides, such as rust.

Impregnating compounds These substances are used for an already polished surface. Their main goal is to protect marble from further pollution.

Polyacrylates, polyethylene and polyurethaneThese products are also used on top of an already polished surface. As in the case of impregnating compounds, their main goal is to protect the surface.

Important! Impregnanding compounds, polyacrylate, polyethylene and polyurethanes are used if further marble processing is not carried out.

Grinding antik

Artificial aging of the surface of marble makes it especially attractive to lovers of an ancient style. The work is performed after the grinding process using special brushes-drifts.

The work on artificial aging itself is as follows:

• prepare a blurred solution. To do this, dilute the concentrated surfactant and moisten the surface. We select the proportion according to the instructions on the packaging;
• using a grinder with a special nozzle, grind the surface;
• using an industrial vacuum cleaner, remove the excess solution and let the surfaces dry;
• apply protective equipment and proceed to polishing;

Polishing and patching marble

Upon completion of the grinding of the marble surface, it is polished. For these purposes, the same tool is used, but the abrasive element in it is used by a smaller fraction. There are no special secrets in polishing. All work is similar to grinding the difference in the abrasive element. Upon completion of the grinding, it is necessary to carry out the application of protective equipment, as well as crystallize the surface.

Crystallization of marble

This process is the final stage of marble processing. As already noted, it gives the surface additional strength, and also enhances the color and pattern of the stone.

Crystallization works themselves are as follows:

• we knead the crystallizer to the cream -shaped state. For crystallization, you can use the Cristallo powder crystallizer, or the liquid crystallizer Vetro-Glass;

• we apply the paste to the surface of the marble and distribute it along a small area;
• with the help of a grinder with an abrasive element of a small fraction, polish the entire surface until the shine appears;
• we remove the dirt and the remains of the crystallizer using an industrial vacuum cleaner;
• rinse the floor thoroughly.

Processing of marble, like any other stone, is a matter that requires attention and understanding of the work performed. But today, the processing of marble and granite, limestone, travertine and sandstone can be performed at a professional level of a master without great experience. And the key to this is strict observance of the sequence in processing technology and a quality tool.