When carrying out construction activities, concrete is traditionally used, which is the main building material. Using it, it is easy to independently create a composite that imitates natural stone - marble. Naturally extracted marble is an expensive material that has been used for centuries for exclusive decoration and interior decoration. However, it was not widely used due to its increased price. It is not difficult to make synthetic marble from concrete by mastering a common technical process. Let's get acquainted with the features of the composite and technology.
Concrete marble: manufacturing technology
Marble concrete - requirements for artificial material
A difficult task is to recreate natural marble, which is a textured material distinguished by its unique structure, non-standard colors and veining. Craftsmen, making marble-like concrete on their own, place a set of requirements on the artificial material.
The resulting composite should have maximum similarity to a natural mineral:
- match the color scheme;
- have a similar structure;
- match in strength;
- maintain integrity during temperature changes;
- do not collapse at high moisture concentrations;
- not have a negative impact on others.
One of the main requirements is the minimum level of cash costs associated with the production of the composite. Proven technology (do-it-yourself marble from concrete) allows you to create a composite privately. At the same time, it will fully comply with the requirements.
Composition of the cement mixture
The composition of the cement mixture that Dmitry uses.
Gray cement M500 D0 – 5 kg
Granite screenings (0...5 mm) – 8 kg
2 pigments 50 g each
Plasticizer C3 – 40 g per 1 l (6% of cement)
The balls are obtained from 0.5 to 5 cm. In order to avoid waste, usually use no more than 20% of the volume of the mixer.
While preparing the mixture, it must be raked away from the back wall of the mixer. It is advisable to supply water with a plasticizer through a sprayer rather than pouring it into a mixer. The angle of inclination of the concrete mixer must be selected. Usually it is 15 degrees. Speed – about 25 rpm.
The vibration time depends on the amount of plasticizer introduced and the W/C value.
Since this time is not short, the drawing turns out blurry.
The photo shows one of the examples of his tiles.
Marble tiles
The blurred pattern is less noticeable on colors that are similar in tone. The photo shows an example.
Marble tiles
Low productivity is a disadvantage of this method.
Therefore, it is mainly used for the production of large products: monuments and concrete fences.
At the same time, uneven coloring on large surfaces is not so noticeable.
Getting ready to make marbled concrete with your own hands - materials and equipment
Production of marble from concrete
Having decided to make marble-like concrete with your own hands, you should prepare the specified tools and building materials in a timely manner :
- Portland cement marked M 400 or M 500;
- aggregate in the form of fine gravel or marble particles;
- water used for mixing ingredients;
- sand, cleared of impurities;
- pigment additives, insoluble in water;
- plasticizing component designated C-3;
- a container made of rubberized plastic used as a mold;
- plastic film;
- a trough with sufficient capacity for kneading;
- an electric drill with an attachment that allows you to thoroughly mix the components.
To increase the efficiency of compaction of molded products, a vibrating table or vibrating platform is used. If it is not possible to use mechanized compaction, compaction may be performed manually. It is allowed to use colored pebbles as filler.
Artificial marble production technology
The technology does not require the use of special equipment and allows you to make marble from concrete on your own. Upon visual inspection of the resulting composite, it is difficult to distinguish it from a natural mineral.
Equipment and technology for manufacturing marble from concrete – “Systrom”
Carry out technological operations for the production of composite material, following the given sequence of operations:
- Mix two parts fine sand with one part Portland cement in a cleaned bath. Once mixed evenly, add marble pieces or colored pebbles as filler. These ingredients will improve the appearance of the product.
- Add color pigment. The introduction of a color dye will allow you to achieve the required color range of the marble composite. To achieve a natural shade, the percentage of coloring pigment should be one hundredth of the total volume of the working mixture.
- Mix again. When using an electric drill with a mixing attachment, ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. The natural appearance and complete identity of the natural mineral is ensured by imitation of veins, as well as spotted inclusions.
- Compact the working mixture. Place a working container with solution on the vibration platform and turn on the equipment. To completely remove air inclusions, tamp the mixture for 10–15 minutes, vigorously shaking the working composition.
- Add plasticizer and water to the dry mixture. Dilute the plasticizer in an amount of no more than 1% of the total proportion of Portland cement in 75% water at room temperature. Mix the ingredients with a nozzle until smooth, add the rest of the water and mix again.
- Pour the resulting solution into polyurethane containers. Polyurethane molds should be cleaned of dust and mixture residues and dried thoroughly before pouring the solution. Then you need to install them on a horizontal surface and fill them to the top level.
- Make reinforcement. It is advisable to perform reinforcement with steel wire with a reduced height and increased area of the molded product. The wire should first be cut into pieces of appropriate size and immersed in the composite mixture.
Workshop for the production of marble from concrete
After completing the pouring, it is necessary to cover the forms with polyethylene and not expose them to load for 1.5–2 weeks. During this period, the process of cement hydration will end, and the composite composition will gain the necessary strength margin. The use of dismountable molds with reduced working surface roughness will make it easier to remove the finished product.
When planning your own business for manufacturing products from a composite material that imitates natural stone, it is advisable to use various forms. With their help, it is easy to cast your own window sill from concrete, decorative floor tiles, original balusters with a unique pattern, as well as columns that are difficult to distinguish from products made from natural materials.
Step-by-step instruction
Before making marble from concrete, all the ingredients must be prepared because the process cannot be interrupted.
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To produce artificial stone, technological operations are performed in the following sequence:
After filling the solution, the molds are covered with polyethylene film and left for 10-15 days.
To give artificial marble made of concrete the desired color, a coloring pigment must be added to the prepared solution. The composition should be heterogeneous to resemble a natural mineral. To do this, do not mix the solution too thoroughly.
To produce cast objects with unusual patterns, paints of several colors are used. During the mixing process, spots, dots, wrinkles, streaks and bends of various shapes are obtained, which give the product originality, limited only by the author’s imagination.
In relation to the dry component of the material, water is calculated 1:2. First, pour in 80% of the liquid and mix well. To increase the strength of the elements being created, at least 1% C3 plasticizer is added to the solution.
After further mixing and resting for several minutes, the finished material will become viscous and plastic. At the final stage, the remaining 20% of water is distributed throughout the composition.
Form
Molding is needed to give a pre-prepared look to future products.
The polymer resin is applied in several layers with a spray gun or brush. It will take 2-3 hours to dry.
What are the advantages of the technology - do-it-yourself concrete marble
The technological process, available for implementation at home, makes it possible to produce marble-like composite concrete, which has a number of advantages.
Main advantages:
- ease of the resulting product. Products with a texture close to natural material can be easily mounted in different positions, including at an angle, and fixed during finishing. In addition, the load on the foundation of the building is reduced;
- perfect cleanliness of the front surface. There is no need for special machining and polishing to give products a marketable appearance. The geometric dimensions of the finished product are ensured by the configuration of the casting mold, which is filled with solution;
Products: concrete marble - the ability to imitate natural wood, stylize it as a brick texture, natural stone or water surface on a finished surface. The technological process allows you to create the illusion of increased relief on a smooth surface;
- increased safety margin. The mechanical properties of the composite material make it possible to use it not only for decorative products. It is able to maintain integrity under significant loads.
In addition to these main advantages, there are the following positive aspects:
- fastening individual parts in a common array like puzzles;
- imitation of valuable minerals of various rocks;
- harmlessness of the composite for the health of others;
- affordable price of the components used;
- virtually waste-free technology;
- product resistance to temperature changes;
- resistance of composite products to humidity fluctuations;
- expanded range of products due to the geometry of the molds;
- the ability to use various pigments to create original shades.
One of the serious advantages is also the affordable price of concrete analogues, which are an order of magnitude cheaper than natural marble. The main advantage of the technology is the possibility of obtaining an artificial composite in private conditions, providing a wide field of activity for home craftsmen.
Preparatory activities
Every home craftsman will be able to master the technology being analyzed at home, having familiarized himself with the recommendations and advice of experts in advance. But initially, you should prepare the necessary materials and equipment so that the finished product, upon visual inspection, practically does not differ from its natural analogue.
To make artificial marble at home, you will need to prepare:
- purified fine sand;
- high-quality sand, always white;
- base in the form of marble chips;
- coloring matter and special pigment, the addition of which will help improve the characteristics of the finished product;
- forms for filling.
Without molds, it will not be possible to make marble from a concrete base, so it is imperative to have in your arsenal both a polymer mold, sold on construction markets, and any other type of plastic mold.
Experts recommend using white cement, M 500, for the technology being analyzed. Any type of oil-based paint is used as a coloring pigment, and since the choice of products is quite wide, turning everyone’s imagination into reality will not be difficult.
READ ALSO: How to make a mold for a concrete path with your own hands
Marbled concrete - scope of application
All about the technology of marble from concrete
The use of decorative composite has a positive effect on improving external perception. The texture, which is difficult to distinguish from natural, allows the use of composite material for facade finishing of buildings and for landscape design.
Area of use:
- facade finishing;
- landscaping;
- laying paths;
- design of recreation areas.
The material is also in demand for interior finishing work. Main Application :
- decorative cladding of premises;
- finishing floors in hallways, bathrooms, toilets and kitchens;
- lining of heating stoves;
- finishing of fireplaces;
- production of staircase elements (steps, balusters, railings);
- production of original window sills and tabletops.
The technology makes it possible to produce various interior items, the complexity of which is determined by their configuration. Small costs for organizing production allow you to fully satisfy your own fantasies, as well as organize a small business.
https://youtu.be/MJuV2weolyo
To summarize: is it important to understand how to make marble from concrete with your own hands?
Having information about the production of an original concrete composite, you can make extraordinary products on your own for interior decoration and improvement of the premises, as well as improving the exterior and design of the territory. The technology is becoming increasingly popular due to its advanced capabilities and minimal costs. It is easy to master both for internal needs and for setting up serial production. To ensure quality, it is important to use proven raw materials and follow technology. This is the main key to success!
