Quartz Surfaces and Quartz Sinks

Natural Quartz Surface Advantages

Natural quartz as a solid surface is one of nature's hardest surfaces. Quartz is not only a high-performing surface, but is also a luxurious, durable, low maintenance surface product which offers many advantages as an interior stone solution.

The Natural Properties of Raw Quartz

Quartz is the second most abundant mineral that makes up the earth's crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. Quartz is an essential constituent of granite, it is the clear, glassy mineral contained in granite and other felsic igneous rocks. Most sand is made up of quartz, it often forms in natural hydrothermal veins to make beautiful crystals.

Quartz is rated as a seven on Mohs' scale of mineral hardness which quantifies the scratch resistance of minerals by comparing the ability of a harder material to scratch a softer material. This means Quartz is capable of scratching most other minerals, in fact it can scratch steel and steel cannot scratch it to give you some perspective. Quartz in a rock strata can form various gems, certain impurities and compositions of quartz mayform gems such as Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Citrine, Agate, Onyx and Jasper.

The making of a Quartz Surface

Quartz surfacing is the process of grinding down quartz crystals, then combining them with a resin material to create stone quality surfaces that can be used anywhere. While quartz is second only to diamonds in hardness, it isn't found in deposits large enough to extract as large slabs. The solution is to grind process the Quartz material, add desired color, and high-pressure form it into engineered Quartz stone slabs.

The Benefits of a Quartz Surface

Because engineered stone requires a grinding process of the raw quartz material, this provides manufacturers with many color and texture options that traditional stone slabs do not. The colors available with engineered stone are limitless since it is possible to add any pigment color desired during the manufacturing process.
Engineered stone also allows the manufacturer to cost effectively custom design the edges on stone surfaces as the slabs are artificially formed at the factory. And finally, because the quartz is bound with resin under high temperatures and pressures, it becomes one of the most stain and bacteria resistant and blemish proof stone surfaces you can find.

Hanstone Quartz Process & Technology

The Hanstone Quartz manufacturing facility is equipped with the most advanced Breton™ Technology, resulting in the production of the most sophisticated looks or designs of natural quartz, in an array of colors; further distancing itself from its competitors.

The compound quartz stone produced using Breton’s patented plant and technology system has a high concentration of quartz aggregates, which is manufactured under vacuum and is perfectly homogeneous in the entire mass. It is composed of quartz materials of different nature bonded with organic structural resins.

The unique Breton manufacturing technology allows the combination of outstanding physical and mechanical characteristics with excellent aesthetic appeal. At the time of manufacture, quartz crystals are combined with silica and resin in a vat. The resulting mixture has the look and feel of moist sand. It is dumped into a form, where it is molded into the shape of a thick slab in preparation for entering a vibro-compactor.

It is here the elements of vibration and pressure combine to turn the mixture into a compact quartz slab. The Breton compaction process begins as the loosely molded mixture is conveyed into the unit, which lowers itself onto the slab and begins vibrating and compacting the mixture.

The result is an engineered quartz stone slab that lacks bonding strength. To add that bonding strength it must enter a heat press, which activates and subsequently cures the resin binder. After leaving the press, the slab is stacked vertically on a rack to finish its cure cycle before undergoing the sanding and finishing process.

The polishing line uses consecutively coarser grits of diamond abrasive that pass back and forth over the engineered quartz stone slab as it moves down the line. The polishers are enclosed in large tubs flooded with water to keep the diamond abrasives cool and to flush off sludge. At the end of the polishing line the slabs are inspected for defects and color consistency before being loaded onto A-frame racks for shipment.

Hanstone Quartz Quality Assurance

At Hanstone Quartz Surfaces, our team follows rigorous quality assurance procedures throughout the entire research, development and manufacturing process. Our process begins with a rigorous inspection of all incoming raw materials – color, grade and composition. These are blended at a ratio of up to 93% natural quartz aggregates with pigments and polymer resins. We have quality assurance checks throughout the process and we perform final inspection of slabs before they leave the plant.

The result – the delivery of an unequalled quality engineered quartz product consistent in color, texture and size.

Quartz Sinks from ESI

 

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