SINTERED STONE

What is Sintered Stone?

Sintering is the process of subjecting raw materials of various kinds to extreme temperatures and heat in very specific ways so that those materials are transformed into a solid, hardened, non-porous mass of material. The materials that come out of processes known as sintering are generally very hard. As a result, sintered stone is a very hard and durable material.

Sintered stone is characterized by its extreme resistance to scratches, high temperatures, chemical agents and UV rays. It has a high capacity to resist stains, an almost zero degree of absorption and considerable mechanical resistance.

Sintered stone is obtained from a mixture of fine clays and feldspar, which are subjected to a firing process at high temperatures (over 1200 ° C).
The result is a product with a vitrified surface and is therefore completely water repellent. The sintered materials, also based on natural raw materials, are so called for the type of production (sintering).
The natural stones are reduced into very fine powders, which are then subjected to a heat treatment at 1200 ° C, aggregating between them to become an extremely compact material.

Advantages of Sintered Stone

1) It is a hygienic product

Sinetered stone slabs are ultra-compact, free of porosity and therefore antibacterial.

2) It is weatherproof

thermal excursions (frost, intense cold or high temperatures) and thermal shocks.

3) It is extremely high resistance to the scratches

once laid, the sintered stone will not be damaged easily. In the case of a kitchen worktop, for example, it can be cut, beaten or engraved directly on it.

4) It is resistant

to UV rays and any other natural and atmospheric agent.

5) It is fireproof

resistant to the most extreme heat and compactness is a guarantee of ultra-resistance over time.

6) It is easy to clean

You can wipe the surface easily with soap and water or a stone cleaner.

7) It is a sustainable material

100% biodegradable, free from heavy metals and chemical additives.

Sintered Stone vs Quartz

Similarities

1) Man made materials

Both engineered quartz and sintered stone materials are man made materials. Each has a variety of manufacturers that produce the materials. There are currently more producers of quartz than sintered stone. However, recently many of the companies that have been in the quartz industry for years produce Sintered Stone as it is the new generation product of high quality surfaces.

2) Hardness

Another area in which these materials are similar is the area of scratch resistance. Since both quartz and sintered stone are very hard, they both resist scratching that could occur as a result of normal household utensils. Even though sintered stone is somewhat harder, more resistant than quartz, either is acceptable as far as normal wear and tear is concerned.

3) Maintenance

The fact that neither sintered stone nor quartz needs to be sealed periodically, eliminates an entire aspect of maintenance that exists for natural stone surfaces. Because of this, both of these materials are considered easy to care for and maintain.

Differences

1) Composition

Sintered stone is made from a combination of raw materials that are combined. Each of the various manufacturers has its own recipe for its particular material, but they all begin with 100% natural raw materials.
Quartz is different. Although the raw material quartz is used in the production of quartz, there are also synthetic materials used to manufacture it. The quartz particles are combined with a binder (usually a polyester resin) and coloring pigment is added to create the specific colors.

2) Heat Resistance

Quartz can be susceptible to burning from high temperatures. This can happen in the fabrication shop or at home. If quartz is exposed to extreme heat, it can undergo discoloration because of the limits imposed by the resins in the material. Conversely, sintered stone is formed at very high temperatures and is therefore resistant to very high temperatures found in normal everyday household environments.

3) UV Resistance

Quartz is not UV resistant, so it is not recommended for use in outdoors. On the other hand, sintered stone is weatherproof and can be used as an outdoor material.

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In conclusion, Sintered stone has better resistance to stains, impacts, heat and chemicals as compared to Quartz, Heat resistance is a particularly favourable characteristic as Quartz can have burn marks or change colour when subjected to heat.
Sintered Stone is an excellent option for outdoor projects as it is weatherproof and waterproof, whereas Quartz is not recommended for outdoor use.

Nine reasons why you should use sintered stone

1) It is the most durable surface you can get

Sintered stone is a matrix of minerals heated (sintered) to form a solid impenetrable mass that results in a surface that will not be etched, scratched, burned, or stained.

2) It has Textures and Patterns

Sintered stone has incorporated textures into their standard palette. Nuovocorso sintered stones are casted with an inherent texture. Unlike Quartz and stone which have to be “blasted” or treated to create a texture, sintered stone has built-in depth, feel and anti-slip properties. The textures are offered at varying levels to impart a warmer feel as a counter or cladding or as a grip for shower floors, pool decks, or flooring.

3) Put that Hot Pot Down

The eye-rolling consumer question of “can I put a hot pot on it” just got a new answer. With quartz, you can yellow or mar the surface with extreme temperature exposure, but with sintered stones, they are formed at such high temperatures and with such a tight matrix, that you CAN put that hot pot down.

4) Usage for Ourdoors

A material that can actually be used outdoors, look amazing today and look amazing in ten years. The UV resistance of sintered stones means they hold up to the sun, and will not yellow over time like quartz. The inability to endure exposure to the sun is a known limitation of quartz and sintered stone is formulated to overcome that issue.

5) Big Trend from the Europeans

Europe has rapidly been switching from quartz to sintered stone, for its more sleek look and outstanding performance. Trends tend to take a while to make their way to other countries from Europe, but this is the chance to proactively get ahead by watching what they're doing and become an early adopter of European design trends.

6) Alternative Option to Marble

Nuovocorso Factory favors much more modern, unique designs, rather than simply copying marble patterns in a lame attempt to imitate something that used to be perceived as prestigious but no longer is, due to its overused pattern.

7) It is Healthy

Sintered stone is easily cleaned and does not have any resins, most notably petroleum, which is found in quartz. Its structure is bound together by heat and pressure, not resins and plastic, making it a much healthier option. It also has a very low silica content compared to stone and quartz, so it is much healthier to those that cut it and don’t have to breathe in that toxic silica (now being severely regulated by OSHA, finally).

8) It is maintenance-free

Due to the superior, compact composition of Nuovocorso sintered stone, there is no need to seal it. Meaning no chemicals or toxic components are needed to keep it from being damaged during its lifetime and no annual sealing schedule is required, unlike granite, quartz, marble and other stones.

9) Smart Person

The last reason that you should be using sintered stone is because you are a SMART PERSON. You like to try new things and you believe that innovation is what leads to much greater satisfaction.

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