Natural stone - a valuable material for the interior decoration.However, its price is high.Qualitatively simulated artificial stone for the simple layman in many cases indistinguishable from the genuine product.At the same time it costs less, it weighs less and can have a variety of textures.Modern polyurethane molds and innovative painting technology can transform ordinary concrete or gypsum in the exclusive material, appearance, and quality is not inferior to the natural product.
material to form
for high-quality forms capable of an accuracy convey the texture of natural materials, recently used polyurethane rubber.This unique material different wear resistance, flexibility, corrosion resistance, can withstand significant mechanical loads.
polyurethane molds are made by cold polymerization.The raw materials are used to form two-component polyurethane compounds.Despite the seeming simplicity of the process for manufacturing the array needs a lot of experience, because of the shape depends on the quality of the finished product.
cost of the finished form at times exceeds the cost of raw materials for the manufacture of a matrix.Perfectly able to form with incredible accuracy copied to cast even the imprint of a human hair.
Manufacturers Polyurethane
Today, the world produces more than two hundred different polyurethane compounds.For the production of artificial stone the desired shape, combining optimum density, strength, flexibility and consistency of the casting.
Ecomould Two-compounds have an average flow (consistency of liquid honey), suitable for the production of artificial stone with small negative angles.The compounds are relatively inexpensive and suitable for short runs of concrete products with a simple relief.
Polyurethanes from VytaFlex Series are more elastic, good wear resistance, a wide selection of strength characteristics.Using a matrix of these compounds makes the process of stripping products easy and fast, even without the use of release agents.
Polyurethane form of Duramould compounds LEPTA and CX-108 are suitable for plaster casts, they are also well kept alkaline environment of concrete, adapted for hand-made forms without the use of vacuum degassing.
advantages of polyurethane forms
polyurethane molds for artificial stone have several advantages.Due to the elasticity, they make it possible to easily extract the finished casting with a minimum of waste products.Compared with plastic molding concrete products in flexible forms can withstand twice less time.
Due to the precise detail of the front surface of the copy of the sample can be achieved similarity of the finished product with the texture of the bark of trees, fossilized bones of ancient murals and other materials.Forms durable, even with intensive mode of production of the safety margin is enough for 2 - 3 years of operation.
can expand the range of products, using as raw concrete and gypsum modified.The ability to hold polyurethane on the surface shape of the particles of the dye combines painting process to fill the matrix forming material.
choice of form
Polyurethane - Material cranky.To ensure the quality of the form of such material, you need a lot of experience in the manufacture of matrices, also need to know the intricacies of the process, to a regime of polymerization used in the production of compounds tested by the leading manufacturers of molded polyurethane.
The choice - to buy ready-made or make it a matrix itself - depends on many factors.Make perfect polyurethane molds for stone home with no experience quite hard.Since the raw material is not cheap, it is better not to experiment, and to buy a ready-made matrix.This option is ideal if there is confidence in the professionalism of producers.
On the other hand by making their own forms, with time, you can acquire the necessary experience and are not dependent on the available range of finished products, and it is easy to expand by making new types of the finishing materials, which will not be competitors.
Manufacturing matrix with their hands
to produce polyurethane form with your hands, you need artificial stone or natural material samples and two-component polyurethane casting.For the manufacture of the frame is necessary to prepare a smooth section of MDF or particleboard in size and shape pieces of boards sidewalls.
on the surface of the plate mounted sanitary silicone copied samples of stones.The distance between them and from the sample to the side walls should not be less than one centimeter.Next assembled shuttering of boards.The joints are sealed with silicone frame.The samples were processed and formwork release agent.
polyurethane prepared as follows: measure the components in separate containers in accordance with the instructions and mixed without foaming until smooth drill with attachment.The final solution is poured on top of the samples above the stones 1 - 3 cm. After standing for 24 hours formwork is disassembled samples extracted from the mold, it is allowed to stand at the required time, the technological process.
forms of industrial manufacturing
organized industrial mold tried repeatedly, but the complexity of the surface detail copied material made little attempt successful.However, mass production of molds for artificial stone in the machine tools has been established.
This process has mastered the company "Zikam Stone."Polyurethane molds produced by its technology, the cost is almost two times lower than that of imported matrices.Specific characteristics of forms even surpass samples from leading manufacturers working on the technique of cold polymerization.
forms made by machine, characterized by stamping on the back (roughing) of the surface of the matrix.Conventional casting mold may be labeled only on the front or side surface.
selection of quality matrix
If you decide to purchase industrial polyurethane molds for the production of artificial stone should pay particular attention to their back side.The quality matrix, it should be smooth without any porosity.
presence of traces of bubbles of escaping air will testify air saturation throughout the thickness of the matrix.This form does not serve long.To determine the strength you can try to nip off a piece of material from the matrix - quality polyurethane will actively resist it.Cut off a thin strip from the sample matrix during stretching torn with effort.
makes sense when buying a matrix to insist on a trial casting in the presence of quick-seller structure.The cast sample should have a clear relief of natural stone without the polished smoothness and shine.Needless thick jumper and a side wall (3 - 5 cm) will indicate the substitution of polyurethane similar material with similar properties.
Polyurethane form of "Zikam Stone"
Paving under rubble stone, imitation marble, limestone, sandstone, slate composition of typesetting, decorative brick and stone veneer - it's all possible with technology "Zikam Stone."Polyurethane forms made by experts of the company, are ideal for the production of artificial stone on cement-based.Can be made of plaster original stucco, mosaics, moldings and bas-reliefs.
For those wishing to try their hand at producing artificial stone "Zikam Stone" offers materials for homemade polyurethane matrices.Available kits class "economy", including, apart from basic casting of polyurethane matrices, detailed guidance on the process technology, modifying additives and pigments to plaster.Package "Standard", in addition to these materials, has another model for painting and additional processing equipment.In completing the package "Premium" additionally includes a professional airbrush and pallets for matrices.
quality polyurethane molds "Zikam" even in a small private workshop provide an opportunity to organize production of artificial stone.With proper product quality and reasonable price such business can compete with even the factory production.
