Steps made of marble chips with their own hands. How to make marble from concrete: technology. Artificial marble from concrete

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• The use of concrete marble
• How to make illusory marble concrete

Concrete marble is an easy-to-manufacture material that is convenient to use for a variety of purposes. Not everyone understands why it is necessary to make a material that imitates a natural stone of amazing beauty, so first you need to explain why it is so valuable.

What is marble and where is it used

Marble is a unique material that has been used in the decoration of buildings and interiors for many centuries. But not everyone can afford such a finish, since marble is not only a rare material, but also quite expensive financially.

Deposits of high-quality marble are located in hard-to-reach places, and its extraction is carried out with the help of special equipment, which must be lifted into the mountains and installed. Both extraction and delivery and processing of material increase its cost by an order of magnitude.

Thanks to the use of new technologies, constantly developed in the construction industry, the range of materials for construction has been significantly expanded. Now it is possible to make marble from concrete with your own hands and do it in ordinary home conditions, without the use of equipment that is not cheap.

To make marble from concrete, you will need the following materials:

• cement grade M400 or higher;
• water;
• plasticizer C-3;
• polyurethane mold;
• fine-grained sand;
• polyethylene film;
• pigment additive;
• fine gravel as aggregate;
• drill and mixer attachment.

Natural marble is expensive. That's why artificial marble from concrete is sometimes presented as a practical and profitable option. To obtain a good imitation that is very similar to natural stone, there are many technologies that are suitable for use at home.

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Obtaining artificial marble

Natural marble is a stone with a heterogeneous color, granular structure, with veins penetrating the entire thickness. The stone can be pink, blue or white, gray or black. Other colors are also found: green, red, yellow, purple. It is possible to create a material that imitates marble from gypsum: a dense mass is obtained, devoid of pores. But this method is not suitable if the product is planned to be used in a room with high humidity. You can consider alternative methods that make it possible to make marble with your own hands.

The simplest technology - concrete marble is cast in molds from a mixture of sand and cement. It turns out to be very strong, impervious to moisture, and looks very much like a real one. But at the same time, it must be borne in mind that thin tiles will be fragile, and if you make them thicker, they turn out to be too heavy. It is possible to make, for example, a countertop from such an imitated stone, but the furniture must have a massive body that will allow it to withstand the considerable weight of the plate. You can also make a thin version, while taking a wooden countertop as a basis.

In order to end up with a cast slab that is indistinguishable from a real stone, you will need to stock up in advance on the materials and tools necessary for work. It is necessary to have a form of polyurethane or other material, dyes and plasticizers, which will need to be mixed into the cement mixture. For a construction mixer, you will need a mixer and drill attachments, as well as a short rule, a spatula.

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Step-by-step instructions for making marble from concrete

According to what technology it is better to make marble from concrete, it is necessary to decide depending on the specific conditions of use. The basic principles are the same. Making artificial marble at home will look like this:

1. The first stage is preparatory. The form (or forms) must be thoroughly washed and dried. It can be of any size: for example, it can be specially made according to desired values for the kitchen wall. To prepare the solution, it is necessary to mix the dry ingredients until smooth: sand, pebbles and cement. After receiving the composition, pour in almost all the water, add the plasticizing ingredient. Continue kneading until you achieve maximum consistency.
2. Add the rest of the water, then the dye - it must be injected in portions, different in size, always in different parts of the container. In this way, uneven mixing of the mortar and color is achieved, which makes the artificial material more similar to natural stone.
3. Filling the mold with solution. When the dye disperses in thin veins throughout the cement mass, we can assume that the composition is finally ready. Now you can move on to the most important phase of the process. The form must be placed on a smooth surface - this will help eliminate the bending of the walls and bottom. Pour the solution into it. Using a spatula, the edges of the mold are cleaned of excess sags that can affect the appearance and smoothness of the surface of the plate, then the surface is leveled as a rule and covered with polyethylene.

The larger the artificial stone slab comes out in size, the more likely it can break due to the occurrence of voids inside. Therefore, do not neglect the use of a vibrating table, which will help to make the structure more solid. In its absence, the impossibility of using it, you should try not to remove the mixer from the mass during mixing - this way less air bubbles form.

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How to Get Ready Marble or "Marble Concrete"

The mass poured into the mold will solidify for about ten days. Do not interfere with the process, as is done when performing some other work with cement. For example, regular moistening of the surface is not required: the solution will be covered with a plastic film, a material that will prevent the fluid from leaving the concrete mass too quickly. After the slab has completely hardened, it must be lifted, turned over, then the form is removed from it, like a cover.

To increase the strength of concrete, you can additionally reinforce it with wire. To do this, it is recessed into molds after the cement-sand mixture is poured into them. Freeze form content must be complete.

One should not think that in order to obtain high-quality concrete, the technology should be especially complex.

In fact, all the necessary actions can be performed in a city apartment.

The output is a material with low porosity, resistant to household chemicals, moisture resistant. If necessary, the plate can be polished: for this, its surface will need to be treated alternately with alcohol, transparent varnish, then again with alcohol. Alcohol should be used only after the varnish layer has dried, but it can not be dried.

Marble is a material that has been used for many centuries in the design of interiors and exteriors of houses. Moreover, not everyone can afford such a finish. Marble is a rather rare and expensive material. Its deposits are found high in the mountains, where it is extremely difficult to raise the necessary equipment. Extraction, processing and delivery of this material significantly increase its cost. In addition, the extraction of marble entails the destruction of limited reserves.

The use of the latest technologies in the construction industry has significantly expanded the range of materials and made it possible to manufacture marble from concrete, and this can be done at home with your own hands without the use of expensive equipment.

Materials that will be required for the manufacture of marble:

• cement M400 or M500,
• polyurethane mold,
• plasticizer C-3,
• water,
• fine sand,
• polyethylene,
• water insoluble pigment
• filler (fine gravel),
• drill with mixer attachment,

Step-by-step instructions on how to make marble from concrete with your own hands:

• Step 1. In a clean container we place cement, fine sand, gravel and pigment. It is not necessary to achieve uniform coloring of the composition. The mixture should have an uneven color - one of the main conditions. Then in ready-made the material will have spots and veins like natural marble.
• Step 2. Place the container on a vibrating table and remove excess air from the mixture. If there is no vibrating table, just shake it well several times.
• Step 3. Add water and plasticizer (we first dilute the plasticizer in a small amount warm water) approximately 80% of the total volume. Stir thoroughly until a homogeneous composition is obtained. Then add the remaining plasticizer and water. Stir the mixture with a drill with a mixer.
• Step 4. Pour the resulting solution into pre-prepared dried polyurethane molds and cover the molds with polyethylene. To increase the strength of artificial marble, reinforce it with wire - after the mixture is poured into molds, drown the wire in them. Wait for complete solidification.

Concrete marble has found wide application in landscape design, exterior decoration, in the manufacture of balustrades, columns, sidewalks, framing fountains, vases, flower beds, etc.

The undeniable advantages of concrete marble

• The main advantage of artificial marble is its availability to the mass consumer.
• The low weight compared to natural material makes it possible to clad walls and surfaces placed at an angle. Marble from concrete does not need additional processing. Depending on the requirements, the shape and thickness of the tile is initially set. In addition, using this material, you can recreate a relief surface without losing its impeccable smoothness. For example, the front part can be stylized as sea ripples, wood, brick.
• The connection of the tiles is carried out according to the puzzle principle, which creates all the conditions for good adhesion between the elements and ensures high reliability of the entire layer. In addition to numerous forms, artificial marble can have a variety of colors.

Products that imitate natural stones have high strength, resistance to chemicals, environmental friendliness, shock and heat resistance, as well as other advantages. Artificial marble is made from concrete, gypsum and polyester resin and is used not only for facing houses, but also in the manufacture of countertops, stairs, window sills, fountains and much more.

To make artificial marble with your own hands, you need to decide on the technology of its production.

Cast marble

Polyester resin and any mineral filler (marble chips, crushed white quartz and other finely dispersed components) are used as the basis for this material. The latter allow the production of slabs stylized as granite, malachite, jasper and onyx.

To make cast artificial marble at home, you will need to prepare a solution:

1. Polymer concrete. To do this, mix 20-25% polyester resin with 75-80% crushed neutral mineral.
2. Butacryl. In this case, instead of resin, AST-T and butacryl are used in equal proportions, after which 50% of quartz sand or crushed gravel is added to the mixture.

You will also need to prepare river sand, pigment, gelcoat and plasticizer. The manufacturing technology of artificial marble from resin includes the following steps:

1. Gel coat the matrix for the future artificial stone and let the mold dry.
2. Prepare the solution using one of the methods described above.
3. Pour the liquid solution into the matrix and remove any excess.
4. Cover the mold with cling film and wait 10 hours.
5. Remove the finished artificial stone from the mold and leave it outdoors for a while.

The hardened stone can be further polished or left without machining.

Despite the ease of manufacture of such artificial raw materials, the casting method for the production of marble is expensive, so it makes sense to consider other methods for creating stones.

Gypsum artificial marble is a gypsum mass, mixed with a mixture of water and glue, which is polished to a mirror finish. This "toning" allows you to imitate natural minerals such as malachite and lapis lazuli.

The production of this artificial marble does not require expensive materials. You can prepare it as follows:

1. Knead dry gypsum and wood glue in water.
2. Pour the melted resin into the mixture.
3. Stir the composition and add pigment to it.
4. Stir the mixture again until natural inclusions and streaks appear in it.

Healthy! If you want to get a product of natural color, then you need to mix 200 g of white humilax, 1 kg of alcohol (technical) and 50 g of gypsum. To get a coffee shade, use orange humilax, and to create a black stone, add aniline dye.

1. Pour the liquid mass into the plastic matrix.
2. Remove excess mixture. To do this, sprinkle the solution with dry gypsum.
3. Wait about 10 hours and pull the finished product out of the mold.
4. Treat the surface of the product with potassium silicate to make the finished stone water resistant.
5. Dry the marble and polish it with soft felt (you can also use specialized abrasives that give the finished product a more saturated shade).
6. When the surface of the stone becomes almost mirror-like, the artificial marble will be ready.

Such production of artificial marble and mosaics is considered the most simple and affordable. Thanks to gypsum, the stones are very light and durable. Such products are successfully used in residential premises.

Artificial marble with concrete filler

The technology of marble production using concrete is also very popular due to the use of environmentally friendly material and the ease of manufacture of products.

To create such a stone yourself, follow these steps:

1. Coat the dry matrix with a smooth surface with a moisture-resistant gelcoat and wait for the mold to dry completely.
2. Prepare the concrete mixture and add clay or slaked lime to it.
3. Prepare your filler. To do this, mix 2 parts of river sand, 1 part of cement, 80% of water and add pebbles to the composition. It is also necessary to add pigment to the resulting solution (1% by weight of the mixture) and knead the composition for artificial marble for 30-40 seconds. It is recommended to mix all components in a special mixer.
4. Add pigment to the finished filler (you need to add it unevenly to make the finished product more realistic). After that, carefully move the liquid composition.
5. Set the matrix in a horizontal position and pour the prepared mass into it in small portions. This should fill all the voids in the form.
6. Remove excess mixture with a spatula.
7. Cover the surface with polyethylene and wait for the composition to completely harden at positive temperatures (depending on the thickness of the stone, it will dry from 24 hours to several days).
8. Remove the finished artificial slab from the matrix and process it with a grinder and a special transparent polish.

If you decide how to make artificial marble yourself, then you should give preference to gypsum or concrete. However, you can purchase ready-made material:

• Ground marble (microcalcite). This raw material is made from crushed marble. This powdery substance of mineral origin is characterized by high strength and low chemical activity. In addition, the material is resistant to sunbeams and does not absorb moisture.
• Liquid marble. Apart from marble chips The composition of this material includes acrylic polymers, due to which such a stone is light and flexible. Such marble can be easily cut with a knife and pasted over the walls with it. It is most popular when decorating irregularly shaped rooms.

In custody

The manufacture of artificial marble differs based on the material used (more on the video). However, no matter what raw materials you choose, the stone must be properly cared for. For example, to preserve the shine of a marble surface, use a soapy solution (add 1 cap of any detergent to 3 liters of water).

Recently, the technology of manufacturing concrete products with color stains imitating marble has gained great popularity. There is a completely logical explanation for this, because marble is able to give prestige and sophistication to the facades of buildings or decorate rooms from the inside. In addition, the advantages of this technology include the fact that you can make marble from concrete at home.

General information

The technology for the production of artificial marble from concrete is quite simple, thanks to which every home craftsman can make such a material. However, some knowledge is still required.

If the work is done correctly, the material will turn out to be so similar to marble that an ordinary passer-by can hardly guess what, for example, artificial stone was used for the fence.

In addition, this material has several advantages:

• Environmental friendliness;
• Excellent physical and mechanical properties;
• Do-it-yourself technology of marble from concrete is waste-free, which is an important factor;
• Ease of restoration;
• The price is much cheaper than natural marble;
• Good moisture resistance;
• Possibility of obtaining any color and any form of material.

Artificial marble technology

materials

Before we start making stone, you should prepare a certain set of materials:

• Sand;
• Cement brand M500;
• Pigment - high-quality oil paint is suitable for these purposes;
• A plasticizer is a special compound that, when added to concrete, significantly improves its characteristics.

In addition, you will need more forms into which the solution will be poured. For these purposes, it is best to use special polymer forms. If you can’t find them, then you can use any other forms made of plastic.

For example, if you want to make marbled concrete window sills, then you should find suitable plastic trays. In extreme cases, you can complete the forms yourself by fastening plastic panels together.

It is also desirable to have a vibrating table, which you can do with your own hands. If you will be engaged in the production of marble once, then you can do without it by shaking the mixture by hand. Vibration will compact the solution and make a denser material as a result.

I must say that the same technology can be used to produce polymer concrete.

The only thing is that instead of cement, in this case, thermosetting resins are used as a binder:

• Phenolic;
• Furan;
• Epoxy etc.

Note!
In the manufacture of polymer concrete, a larger amount of filler is added to the composition than in a conventional concrete solution.

Marble manufacturing

After all the materials are prepared, you can get to work. The production of artificial marble and polymer concrete begins with the preparation of the solution.

The concrete solution is mixed in a standard proportion - 1: 3. In this case, it is best to use calcium carbonate or other similar neutral fillers as a filler.

If polymer concrete is mixed, then the solution should be made in a ratio of 1: 4. Coarse-grained fillers are used as a filler.

In particular, crushed in the form of gravel or coarse sand are suitable for these purposes:

• Limestone;
• Quartz;
• Sandstone;
• Dolomite.

Further instructions are as follows:

• After the solution is ready, you should add the dye. I must say that it is not necessary to diligently stir the composition until a homogeneous mixture is obtained. To get a similarity with marble, it is better to do it casually so that characteristic divorces are obtained.
  You can experiment, for example, by adding a few drops of paint of different colors. In general, this stage can be called creative process which allows you to feel like an artist and show your imagination.
• After the solution is colored, shake the container or place it on a vibrating table. If you spend time making this device, then in the future it may come in handy in the manufacture of paving slabs, cinder blocks and other building materials.
• Further, the resulting solution should be poured into pre-prepared and well-dried polyurethane molds and covered with plastic wrap. To increase the strength of the material, it should be reinforced with wire. To do this, after the mixture is poured into molds, you need to drown the wire into it.

• After the final, the resulting products should be removed from the molds and the surface should be sanded. For these purposes, you need to use an angle grinder and diamond discs-cups. After performing this operation, the surface will become smooth, resembling marble as much as possible.

Here, perhaps, is the whole composition of the production of artificial marble from concrete. I must say that there are other technologies for the manufacture of artificial stone. Moreover, some of them are even simpler and do not require finishing polishing.

However, at home, the considered method is the most affordable.

Note!
Since the resulting material will be strong enough, it can only be processed with a diamond tool, in particular, in addition to the aforementioned grinding, effective method is the cutting of reinforced concrete with diamond wheels, as well as diamond drilling of holes in concrete.

In the photo - artificial marble in the bathroom

Options for using artificial marble

Most often, artificial marble is used for finishing fences outside the premises. However, such material can be an excellent alternative. ceramic tiles, for example, in the bathroom. In addition, "concrete marble" can be used as countertops in the kitchen.

It can also be an excellent decoration for fireplaces, which are not only the hearth of home comfort, but also a sign of luxury. If the interior of the room is made in a classic style, then the material can be used as a floor covering.

In any case, wherever you use marble, its use will be a sign of good taste and luxury!

Conclusion

From the video in this article, you can get more information on making artificial marble at home.

Marble, which has excellent aesthetic qualities, has always been a valuable material, but because of its high cost, it is rarely bought. Therefore, artificial marble was invented, which is not inferior in its characteristics to natural.

The current environment in the field of building materials, especially artificial stone, can be described as accompanied by a growing demand. At the same time, beginners and experienced businessmen who want to engage in this production should not only satisfy such demand, but also stimulate it.

Basic properties

Artificial marble is a material that is made on the basis of acrylic resin and filler, imitating the properties and appearance of natural stone. It is environmentally friendly and wear-resistant, easy to operate and maintain. The substance is characterized by high strength, reliability, excellent aesthetic characteristics and, most importantly, it is cheaper than natural. Various textures and colors make this material unique and popular in the construction market.

The scope of its application is wide, it is used for external surfaces (countertops, tables, window sills, bar counters), during construction, restoration of premises and in industry.

Manufacturing technology

The manufacturing process is generally simple. It consists in mixing the ingredients and placing them in a mold until hardened. Depending on the components, marble is divided into types:

1. molding;
2. liquid;
3. chipped;
4. plaster.

Cast marble

It is one of the most popular types. It is a composite material of mineral filler (quartz, marble chips), hardened polyester resin and pigments, dyes.

Manufacturing technology lwicker marble:

1. Prepare the molds - clean them from the previous cycle, polish, lubricate with an anti-adhesive agent.
2. Prepare the consistency by mixing all the ingredients. The presence of pigments determines the final color of the product.
3. Pour the substance into specially prepared forms that will determine the future shape of the product (for example, the surface of a countertop or window sill).
4. The form is moved to the vibrating platform for several hours, where it is processed to reduce the porosity of the material.
5. After hardening, the resulting marble is removed from the mold (about 12 hours).
6. If necessary, mechanical processing of the finished product is performed.

Manufacturing technology of marble from concrete:

The technology for the production of artificial marble from concrete makes it possible to obtain a durable material that practically does not differ from natural stone in appearance. To make it you need:

1. cement;
2. quartz sand;
3. pigments, dyes;
4. plasticizers.

The resulting products have a streamlined glossy surface. Once demoulded, no further processing is necessary. Tiles using this technology are made from frost-resistant concrete in various original forms, which imitate old paving stones or a glossy sidewalk surface. Such material is durable and reliable, does not lend itself to mechanical damage.

liquid marble

This type of marble belongs to the newest finishing materials. It consists of acrylic polymers and marble chips. The result is liquid marble - a flexible, elastic, durable and lightweight material. It can be easily cut, cover different surfaces with it. It makes it possible to align curved walls, hide oversights and flaws. Columns, arches, stairs are faced with this material.

Financial calculations

The amount for the organization of this business depends on many factors - the scale of the project, assortment, manufacturing technology. Consider an approximate financial business plan for artificial marble.

Starting costs:

1. purchase of basic equipment - 120 thousand rubles;
2. purchase of inventory - 40 thousand rubles;
3. preparation of the premises - 40 thousand rubles.

The production of cast and flexible marble requires the following monthly costs:

1. purchase of raw materials - 160 thousand rubles;
2. fund wages- 120 thousand rubles;
3. rent - 40 thousand rubles;
4. utility and tax payments - 60 thousand rubles.

The price depends on the thickness of the product, the type and final product to be manufactured. For example, to buy a window sill made of cast marble costs 8,800 rubles per square meter.

On average, the gross revenue of an enterprise of this type will be from 500 thousand rubles. (the minimum threshold is taken). In this case, net income will be 120 thousand rubles. (500-160-120-40-60).

Taking into account such production indicators, the payback period will be 2 months.

Business registration

For the production and sale of products, it is necessary to register as an individual entrepreneur or LLC. Registering an individual entrepreneur is simple, and a minimum package of documents is required. The procedure for opening an LLC is more laborious, but it opens up great opportunities and eliminates financial risk (since the founder of the company is responsible for the business only with the authorized capital, while the individual entrepreneur is responsible for personal property). The choice of legal form depends on the volume of production, source of financing, distribution channels.

To sell products you will need:

1. Sanitary and epidemiological conclusion - a document that confirms the right to manufacture and sell products and indicates its safety;
2. Certificate of conformity - a document confirming the compliance of manufactured products with safety standards established by law.

Equipment

This business idea does not require the purchase of high-tech equipment. Since the manufacturing technology is simple, you need to buy the following equipment for the production of artificial marble:

1. Mixer for mortar - used for mixing and turning into a homogeneous mass. The service life of the mortar mixer does not exceed 2-3 years, after the expiration of the period it is better to purchase a new installation, since repairs and adjustments do not cost less.
2. Vibrating table with connected vibrator. The filled forms are installed on a table that is responsible for the absence of pores and bubbles inside the material.
3. Forms (from 20 pieces).