KR20220170650A - Artificial marble having high light transmittance - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is to provide artificial marble having excellent light transmittance. The artificial marble of the present invention comprises a binder resin, inorganic particles and quartz powder. The inorganic particles include inorganic particles of which the particle size is 0.7 mm or more and particles of which the particle size is less than 0.7 mm.

Description

Artificial marble with high light transmittance {ARTIFICIAL MARBLE HAVING HIGH LIGHT TRANSMITTANCE}

The present invention relates to artificial marble having high light transmittance.

Engineered stone is an artificial marble, also called easton, and is an interior material that has a texture and feel similar to that of natural stone. In the industry, studies have been made to enhance aesthetics by improving the color and shape of artificial marble. For example, Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1270415 discloses artificial marble with various patterns and appearances using marble chips. Demand for engineered stone is gradually increasing for interior floors, wall decorations, kitchen tops, etc., and products imitating natural stone species such as granite and marble have been the main products.

However, interest in quartzite having a more luxurious pattern is gradually increasing in the recent interior market. Reflecting this trend, the Easton industry is making great efforts to implement the corresponding stone species.

However, it is not easy to implement a natural quartzite design with the current E-stone production technology. Colored pigments and opaque inorganic quartz particles, which are widely used in the existing E-stone production process, are similar to natural quartzites, and it is difficult to realize engineered stones that are transparent and have a sense of visual depth.

Accordingly, the present inventors studied an engineered stone that is similar to natural quartzites but has excellent light transmittance.

An object of the present invention is to provide artificial marble having excellent light transmittance.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides artificial marble comprising a binder resin, inorganic particles, and quartz powder, wherein the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the inorganic particles having a size of 0.7 mm or more are included in an amount of 60 wt% or more and 80 wt% or less based on 100 wt% of the total inorganic particles.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm include either or both of particles having a particle size of 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.3 mm and particles having a particle size of 0.3 mm or more and less than 0.7 mm.

Since the artificial marble of the present invention has excellent light transmittance, it has characteristics similar to natural quartzite when observed with the naked eye.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

In this specification, "light transmittance" indicates the property of transmitting visible light, and can be evaluated by measuring transmittance according to a method described later. For example, the artificial marble or artificial marble region having light transmittance may mean that the combat transmittance measured according to the method described below is 0.5% or more.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides artificial marble comprising a binder resin, inorganic particles, and quartz powder, wherein the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm.

The artificial marble according to the embodiment is characterized in that it includes two or more types of inorganic particles having different particle sizes, and at least one of them is an inorganic particle having a size of 0.7 mm or more. As such, by using inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more, the number of interfaces between materials (substances) through which light passes can be reduced, thereby minimizing the refraction of light at interfaces between materials. transmittance can be increased.

According to one embodiment, the inorganic particles having a size of 0.7 mm or more are included in an amount of 60 wt% or more and 80 wt% or less based on 100 wt% of the total inorganic particles. A content within this range is advantageous for increasing light transmittance by reducing the number of interfaces between media (substances).

According to another exemplary embodiment, the particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm may include particles having a particle size of 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.3 mm. According to another exemplary embodiment, the particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm may include particles having a particle size of 0.3 mm or more and less than 0.7 mm. According to another embodiment, the particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm may include both particles having a particle size of 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.3 mm and particles having a particle size of 0.3 mm or more and less than 0.7 mm. As described above, the number of interfaces between mediums (substances) is reduced by using inorganic particles with a particle size of 0.7 mm or more, and at the same time, the number of interfaces between relatively large inorganic particles is reduced by using relatively small inorganic particles with a particle size of less than 0.7 mm. By filling the space, it is possible to create a completely compacted state during vibration compression, which is advantageous to the physical properties of artificial marble.

Hereinafter, each component is described.

binder resin

The artificial marble and/or the region of the artificial marble of the present invention includes a binder resin.

According to one example, the refractive index of the binder resin may be 1.52 to 1.56.

According to one embodiment, the binder resin includes at least one of an unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin and polymethyl methacrylate.

According to one embodiment, the binder resin is a binder resin including an unsaturated polyester (UPE) resin. The binder resin may include 90% by weight or more of an unsaturated polyester resin.

According to another embodiment, the binder resin is mixed with 0.4 to 2.5 parts by weight of a curing agent, 0.05 to 0.3 parts by weight of a catalyst, and 0.5 to 7 parts by weight of a coupling agent based on 100 parts by weight of an unsaturated polyester resin, dispersed, and then cured. can be manufactured

The unsaturated polyester resin may be prepared using a resin mixture including an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinyl monomer. Preferably, the unsaturated polyester resin is prepared using a composition containing an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinyl monomer in a weight ratio of 100:30 to 70. More preferably, the unsaturated polyester resin is prepared using a composition comprising 60% to 75% by weight of an unsaturated polyester polymer and 25% to 40% by weight of a vinyl monomer.

The unsaturated polyester resin may be a viscous solution in which the unsaturated polyester polymer is usually diluted in the vinyl monomer. Therefore, by satisfying the content of the vinyl-based monomer within the above-mentioned range, the viscosity can be reduced, making it easier to handle the unsaturated polyester resin. In addition, the vinyl-based monomer can cure the unsaturated polyester resin from a liquid to a solid through cross-linking of polyester molecular chains without generating by-products. The weight average molecular weight of the unsaturated polyester resin is 1,000-10,000 g/mol.

The unsaturated polyester polymer is not particularly limited, and examples include saturated or unsaturated dibasic acids; and an unsaturated polyester polymer prepared through a condensation reaction of a polyhydric alcohol. Examples of the saturated or unsaturated dibasic acid include ortho-phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, maleic anhydride, citraconic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride, terephthalic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid or tetrahydrophthalic acid. can be used In addition, as the polyhydric alcohol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, hydrogenated bisphenol A, trimethylolpropane monoaryl Ether, neopentyl glycol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentadiol and/or glycerin may be used. In addition, if necessary, a monobasic acid such as acrylic acid, propionic acid or benzoic acid; Alternatively, a polybasic acid such as trimellitic acid or tetracarboxylic acid of benzol may be further used.

As the type of the vinyl monomer, an alkyl acrylate monomer or an aromatic vinyl monomer may be used, but it is preferable to use an aromatic vinyl monomer in consideration of reactivity with an unsaturated polyester polymer. For example, as the aromatic vinyl monomer, at least one selected from the group consisting of styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, vinyl toluene, alkyl styrene substituted with an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and styrene substituted with a halogen may be used. may be used, and preferably, a styrene monomer may be used.

The curing agent may be included for the curing reaction of the binder, and may use a curing agent used in the manufacture of artificial marble, particularly engineered stone, and is not particularly limited. The curing agent may be an organic peroxide-based compound or an azo-based compound. The organic peroxide-based compound is a tert-butyl peroxybenzoate heat curing agent (TBPB, Trigonox C, akzo novel), diacyl peroxide, hydroperoxide, ketone peroxide, peroxy ester, peroxy ketal, dialkyl peroxide, It may be one or two or more selected from among alkyl peresters, percarbonates, and peroxydicarbonates. For example, tert-butyl peroxybenzoate heat curing agent, benzoyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, t-butyl peroxy maleic acid, t-butyl hydroperoxide, It may be acetyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxy neodecanoate, or t-amyl peroxy 2-ethyl hexanoate, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

In addition, the azo-based compound may be azobisisobutyronitrile (azobisisobutyronitrile), but is not necessarily limited thereto. The binder resin may include 0.4 to 2.5 parts by weight of a curing agent based on 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin. When the curing agent is included in an amount of 0.4 parts by weight or more, the binder may be sufficiently cured, and when included in an amount of 2.5 parts by weight or less, discoloration of the binder may be prevented.

The catalyst may be included to promote curing of the binder at a low temperature, and a catalyst used in the manufacture of artificial marble, particularly engineered stone, may be used and is not particularly limited. The catalyst may be one or two or more selected from metal soaps such as cobalt, vanadium, or manganese, tertiary amines, quaternary ammonium salts, and mercaptans. For example, a cobalt 6% catalyst (Hex-Cem, Borchers) can be used. The binder resin may include 0.05 to 0.3 parts by weight of the catalyst based on 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin. When the catalyst is included in an amount of 0.05 parts by weight or more, it is advantageous to promote curing, and when included in an amount of 0.3 parts by weight or less, discoloration of the binder may be prevented.

The coupling agent may be included to improve bonding strength between the binder resin and inorganic particles and/or quartz powder, and may be a silane-based or silicate-based coupling agent. The binder resin may include 0.5 to 7 parts by weight of the coupling agent based on 100 parts by weight of the unsaturated polyester resin. When the coupling agent is included in an amount of 0.5 parts by weight or more, it is advantageous to improve bonding strength with the inorganic particles and/or quartz powder, and when it is included in an amount of 7 parts by weight or less, it is advantageous to lower the cost of raw materials.

inorganic particles

The artificial marble and/or the region of the artificial marble of the present invention includes inorganic particles. According to one example, the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm.

The inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more may have a particle size of 0.7 mm to 1.2 mm.

The particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm may include either or both of particles having a particle size of 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.3 mm and particles having a particle size of 0.3 mm or more and less than 0.7 mm.

The particles having a size of 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.3 mm may be included in 1 wt% to 40 wt%, 1 wt% to 20 wt%, and 3 wt% to 15 wt% based on 100 wt% of the total inorganic particle content. It may be included, for example, may be included in 5% to 10% by weight.

The particles having a size of 0.3 mm or more and less than 0.7 mm may be included in 1% to 40% by weight, 10% to 35% by weight, or 15% to 30% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the total inorganic particle content. It may be included, for example, may be included in 20% by weight to 25% by weight.

The inorganic particles may be amorphous silica particles, glass particles, crystalline quartz particles, and the like. In addition, the inorganic particles of the present invention may be at least one selected from the group consisting of amorphous silica particles and crystalline quartz particles. The particle size may be measured using a Beckman coulter LS 13 320 Particle size analyzer particle size analyzer.

Preferably, the inorganic particles are amorphous silica particles, glass particles containing barium ions, and/or crystalline quartz particles having an SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. More preferably, the inorganic particles of the present invention are amorphous silica particles, glass particles having a barium (Ba) ion content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, and/or crystalline quartz having a SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. is a particle More preferably, the inorganic particles of the present invention are amorphous silica particles and glass particles having a barium (Ba) ion content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less.

Artificial marble manufactured using amorphous silica particles or glass particles having a barium (Ba) ion content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less as inorganic particles of the present invention is an inorganic particle with a SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100 Light transmittance is higher than that of artificial marble manufactured using crystalline quartz particles having a weight percent or less. In addition, the artificial marble prepared using amorphous silica particles or glass particles having a barium (Ba) ion content of 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less as the inorganic particles of the present invention has a SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more as an inorganic particle It has higher luminance than artificial marble prepared using 100% by weight or less of crystalline quartz particles.

The inorganic particles of the present invention may be amorphous silica particles. Silica particles are a term commonly used in the field of artificial marble, and generally mean SiO ₂ -based inorganic particles having a high SiO ₂ content of 90% by weight or more and a small amount of other components such as minerals in addition to SiO ₂ . The amorphous silica particles of the present invention may be amorphous fused silica particles, and the amorphous silica particles of the present invention may also be referred to herein as highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles. The amorphous fused silica particles may be amorphous fused silica particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4.0 mm. In addition, the amorphous fused silica particles have a SiO ₂ content of 99.5 to 100% by weight, preferably 99.6 to 100% by weight, more preferably 99.7 to 100% by weight. In addition, the amorphous fused silica particles may have an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less. When the SiO ₂ content in the amorphous silica particles is 99.5% by weight or more, preferably 99.6% by weight or more, and more preferably 99.7% by weight or more, the light transmittance of the artificial marble is further improved.

The content of SiO ₂ in the amorphous silica particles and crystalline quartz particles of the present invention can be confirmed by quantitatively analyzing the content using XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy). In addition, crystalline particles and amorphous particles can be confirmed by XRD (X-ray diffraction). XRF can generally be confirmed by measuring particles after making them into pellets, and XRD can be confirmed by measuring particles or artificial marble.

The inorganic particles of the present invention may be glass particles containing barium ions. Preferably, the glass particles of the present invention have a barium (Ba) ion content of 10 wt% or more and 35 wt% or less, more preferably 15 wt% or more and 25 wt% or less.

Since glass is amorphous, the barium ion-containing glass particles of the present invention may also be referred to herein as highly transparent amorphous glass particles. At this time, high transparency means that the transmittance of visible light is 90% or more and 100% or less, and specifically, it means having a transmittance of 90% or more in the visible ray region when measured with a UV / VIS spectrophotometer on a glass plate-shaped basis before grinding into particles. .

The content of barium ions in the glass particles can be measured by X-ray scanning. When detected by X-ray scanning, the content of barium (Ba) ions in the glass particles is preferably detected at 10 wt% or more and 35 wt% or less, and more preferably at 15 wt% or more and 25 wt% or less. Even if the barium ion content is out of the above range, the transparency of the glass particles themselves is good, but when artificial marble is manufactured using the glass particles, the artificial marble is blue or jade-blue even when viewed with the naked eye, making it illegal to use. In other words, artificial marble must be made using glass particles in which the barium (Ba) ion content is detected by X-ray scanning at 10% by weight or more and 35% by weight or less, so that the color is good and the product quality is excellent. Artificial marble can be manufactured.

The content of barium ions in artificial marble can be confirmed as follows. When artificial marble is manufactured using glass particles containing barium ions, barium ions are included in the artificial marble. When the artificial marble containing more than a certain amount of barium ions is scanned using X-rays, the artificial marble appears blue in the X-ray image. The barium ion content in the glass particles is also measured in the same way.

Preferably, the glass particles of the present invention may be glass particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4.0 mm, and have a transmittance of 90% or more in the visible ray region as measured by a UV/VIS spectrophotometer on a glass plate basis before grinding into particles. It may be highly transparent glass particles.

The inorganic particles of the present invention may be crystalline quartz particles. The crystalline quartz particles of the present invention may also be referred to herein as high-transparency crystalline quartz particles.

At this time, the crystalline quartz particles may be highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having a particle size of 0.1 to 4.0 mm, and the SiO ₂ content is 99.5 to 100% by weight, preferably 99.6 to 100% by weight, more preferably 99.7 to 100% by weight. to be. In addition, the crystalline quartz particles may have an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less.

When the content of SiO ₂ in the crystalline quartz particles is less than 99.5% by weight, for example, less than 99.4% by weight, light transmittance of the artificial marble may be lowered. Therefore, crystalline quartz particles having an SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more are preferred.

quartz powder

The artificial marble and/or the region of the artificial marble of the present invention includes quartz powder. In this case, the quartz powder means quartz powder having a particle size of less than 0.1 mm. For example, the quartz powder may include either or both of powder having a particle size of less than 55 μm and powder having a particle size of 55 μm or more and less than 0.1 mm.

The particle size may be measured using a Beckman coulter LS 13 320 Particle size analyzer particle size analyzer. The quartz powder of the present invention may also be referred to herein as a highly transparent crystalline quartz powder.

The quartz powder of the present invention is a crystalline quartz powder, preferably a crystalline quartz powder having a SiO ₂ content of 99.5 to 100% by weight. The quartz powder of the present invention has a SiO ₂ content of 99.5 to 100% by weight, preferably 99.6 to 100% by weight, more preferably 99.7 to 100% by weight, and an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less. , More preferably 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less.

The quartz powder of the present invention preferably has an average SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less, and preferably has an average alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less.

The content of SiO ₂ in the quartz powder of the present invention can be confirmed by quantitatively analyzing the content by XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy). At this time, the powders are generally made into pellets and then measured and confirmed.

Since quartz powder has a small particle size, self-scattering occurs. Therefore, in order to increase the internal light transmittance of the artificial marble, the artificial marble of the present invention includes crystalline quartz powder having a SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more. If the SiO ₂ content of the quartz powder is less than 99.5% by weight, the internal light transmittance of the artificial marble is low, and thus it may be difficult to manufacture the artificial marble having high light transmittance, which is the object of the present invention.

artificial marble

The artificial marble and/or an arbitrary region of the artificial marble of the present invention includes a binder resin, inorganic particles, and quartz powder. Here, the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm.

According to one embodiment, the artificial marble includes 500 to 800 parts by weight of inorganic particles and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

As a specific example, the inorganic particles are included in 500 to 700 parts by weight, preferably 550 to 650 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. In addition, the quartz powder is included in 200 to 400 parts by weight, preferably 250 to 350 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin.

In one aspect, the present invention,

500 to 700 parts by weight of inorganic particles, preferably 550 to 650 parts by weight, and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder, preferably 250 to 350 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin,

The inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm,

The binder resin includes an unsaturated polyester resin,

The unsaturated polyester resin includes an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinyl monomer in a weight ratio of 100: 30 to 70,

The quartz powder has a SiO ₂ content of 99.5 to 100% by weight, preferably 99.6 to 100% by weight, more preferably 99.7 to 100% by weight, and an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.4% by weight or less. Preferably it is 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less for artificial marble.

In another aspect, the present invention,

500 to 700 parts by weight of inorganic particles, preferably 550 to 650 parts by weight, and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder, preferably 250 to 350 parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin,

The inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm,

The binder resin includes an unsaturated polyester resin,

The unsaturated polyester resin includes an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinyl monomer in a weight ratio of 100: 30 to 70,

The quartz powder has a SiO ₂ content of 99.5 to 100% by weight, preferably 99.6 to 100% by weight, more preferably 99.7 to 100% by weight, and an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less, preferably 0.4% by weight or less, more preferably 0.4% by weight or less. Preferably, it relates to artificial marble including an arbitrary area of 0.3% by weight or less, and even more preferably 0.2% by weight or less. Artificial marble according to a more preferred embodiment is highly transparent amorphous fused silica particles based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. Artificial marble comprising 500 to 700 parts by weight and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder containing 99.5% by weight or more of SiO ₂ , and the light transmittance of the artificial marble is excellent.

Alternatively, artificial marble according to a more preferred embodiment may contain 500 to 700 parts by weight of glass particles containing 10 to 35% by weight of barium and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder containing 99.5% by weight or more of SiO ₂ based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. %, and the light transmittance of the artificial marble is excellent.

Alternatively, artificial marble according to another preferred embodiment includes 500 to 700 parts by weight of highly transparent crystalline quartz particles having an alumina content of 0.5% by weight or less and 99.5 to 100% by weight of SiO ₂ and 99.5% by weight of SiO ₂ based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. An artificial marble comprising 200 to 400 parts by weight of the quartz powder contained above, and the light transmittance of the artificial marble is excellent.

The artificial marble of the present invention has a combat duty rate of 0.5% or more and 20.0% or less when measuring the combat duty ratio using a turbidimeter (Nippon Denshoku's NDH 5000) for an artificial marble sample having a width of 7 cm, a length of 7 cm, and a thickness of 1.5 cm. It may be 3.0% or more and 20.0% or less, more preferably 6.0% or more and 20.0% or less. According to one example, the combat duty rate is preferably 10% or more, and more preferably 13% or more. At this time, the combat transmittance is the sum of diffusion transmittance and parallel transmittance.

In addition, in the artificial marble of the present invention, a backlight emitting 60 lumens of light is irradiated in contact with the artificial marble for an artificial marble sample having a width of 7 cm, a length of 7 cm, and a thickness of 1.5 cm, and the artificial marble in contact with the backlight is illuminated. On the other side, when measuring the luminance using a luminance meter (KONICA MINOLTA's Luminance Meter LS-160) about 5 cm above the surface of the artificial marble, the luminance may be 400 cd/m ² or more and 2000 cd/m ² or less, preferably 500 cd/m ² or more and 2000 cd/m ² , more preferably 600 cd/m ² or more and 2000 cd/m ² or less, still more preferably 700 cd/m ² or more and 2000 cd/m ² or less; More preferably, it is 800 cd/m ² or more and 2000 cd/m ² or less, and most preferably 900 cd/m ² or more and 2000 cd/m ² or less.

In a preferred example, the artificial marble of the present invention illuminates the artificial marble with light of 60 lumens on an artificial marble sample having a width of 7 cm, a length of 7 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm, and the artificial marble contacting the backlight. When the luminance is measured using a luminance meter (KONICA MINOLTA's Luminance Meter LS-160) about 5 cm above the surface of the artificial marble on the opposite side of the luminance, the luminance may be 400 cd/m ² or more and 2000 cd/m ² or less.

The artificial marble may have a flexural strength of 30 to 100 MPa according to KS F 4739. The flexural strength means the maximum stress until the artificial marble is broken by a bending load. Specifically, the artificial marble may have a flexural strength of 30 MPa to 100 MPa, or 50 MPa to 80 MPa. Since the artificial marble has a flexural strength within the above range, it can be appropriately applied to exterior materials.

The scratch resistance of the artificial marble may be 0.8 to 2.0 N as measured by an Erichsen tester. When the scratch resistance is within the above range, artificial marble may be suitably used as an exterior material.

Water absorption of the artificial marble may be 0.1% or less. The water absorption may be measured according to the ASTM C97 standard. The artificial marble of the present invention can be applied to kitchen tops, outdoor building decoration materials, and exterior materials that are frequently exposed to moisture by having an absorption rate within the above range.

Artificial marble according to one embodiment of the present invention is unsaturated polyester (UPE) artificial marble, not acrylic artificial marble. When manufacturing the artificial marble according to the embodiment, a small amount of acrylic resin, acrylic monomer, etc. may be included, but the artificial marble of the present invention is unsaturated polyester (UPE) artificial marble and is not acrylic artificial marble. .

Manufacturing method of artificial marble

The manufacturing method of artificial marble of the present invention

preparing an artificial marble composition comprising a binder resin, inorganic particles, and quartz powder, wherein the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm;

A compression molding step of putting the artificial marble composition into a mold and compression molding;

After curing the artificial marble composition, removing it from the mold (removing the mold) to produce artificial marble, and

and a post-processing step of cutting the artificial marble and polishing the surface smoothly.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the preparing of the artificial marble composition including the binder resin, inorganic particles and quartz powder may include mixing the binder resin with the inorganic particles and mixing the quartz powder with the mixture of the inorganic particles and the binder resin. Include steps. The inorganic particles and the binder resin may be first mixed so that the surface of the inorganic particles is covered with the binder resin, and then the materials may be uniformly mixed by mixing the quartz powder to distribute the binder resin between the inorganic particles and the quartz powder. there is. By performing the mixing in this order, the composition including the binder resin, the inorganic particles, and the quartz powder is maintained in a dry state, so that the composition can be put into a mold in a desired state during compression molding later.

The method for producing artificial marble of the present invention according to an embodiment includes the steps of mixing inorganic particles with a binder resin composition, mixing the mixture well, adding quartz powder, mixing, and mixing well to prepare an artificial marble composition; A vacuum vibration compression molding step in which the marble composition is put into a mold and compressed using vacuum pressure equipment, then cured at 90 to 130 ° C for 30 minutes to 1 hour, and after curing is completed, cooled to room temperature (cooling), and then It may include a step of removing (demolding) from the mold to manufacture artificial marble, and a post-processing step of cutting the manufactured artificial marble and polishing the surface smoothly.

At this time, when inorganic particles are mixed with the binder resin composition and the mixture is mixed well, quartz powder is added, mixed, and mixed well to prepare the artificial marble composition, pigments and/or chips of one or more colors are mixed together to form artificial marble. composition can be prepared. In addition, after mixing inorganic particles with the binder resin composition and mixing the mixture well, quartz powder, pigments and/or chips are mixed together to prepare a first sub-artificial marble composition, and different types of pigments and/or chips are used. However, a second sub artificial marble composition may be prepared in the same way, and in this way, two or more small amounts of a plurality of sub artificial marble compositions may be prepared, and then mixed to prepare the final artificial marble composition. . A vacuum vibration compression molding step in which the final artificial marble composition is put into a mold and compressed using vacuum pressure equipment, then cured at 90 to 130 ° C. for 30 minutes to 1 hour, and after curing is completed, cooled to room temperature ( After cooling), artificial marble can be manufactured through a process including a step of removing (demolding) from the mold to manufacture artificial marble, and a post-processing step of cutting the manufactured artificial marble and polishing the surface smoothly. In this case, each of the sub-artificial marble compositions may include different pigments and/or chips, and addition amounts of each of the sub-artificial marble compositions used in manufacturing the artificial marble may also be different. In addition, when a plurality of sub-artificial marble compositions are mixed to prepare the final artificial marble composition, the sub-artificial marble compositions are not completely mixed with each other, and the sub-artificial marble compositions may remain lumped here and there in the final artificial marble composition. It is desirable to mix incompletely so that

In this way, when artificial marble is prepared by incompletely mixing a plurality of sub-artificial marble compositions to prepare the final artificial marble composition, the first-use sub-artificial marble composition is agglomerated and remains in places in the artificial marble. ", and the existence of these areas gives artificial marble a special sense of beauty.

area

The region may refer to an arbitrary three-dimensional part of artificial marble. In addition, in the present invention, when artificial marble is manufactured by preparing a final artificial marble composition using a plurality of sub-artificial marble compositions, the first-use sub-artificial marble composition remains in the artificial marble, which in the present invention is referred to as a "region" " can be called

Artificial marble according to one embodiment includes an area made of artificial marble according to at least one of the above-described embodiments.

Artificial marble according to another embodiment is artificial marble including two or more regions having different light transmittances, and at least one of the regions is the artificial marble according to the above-described embodiment. In other words, at least one of the regions includes a binder resin, inorganic particles, and quartz powder, and the inorganic particles are made of artificial marble including inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm.

Claims (19)

Artificial marble comprising a binder resin, inorganic particles, and quartz powder, wherein the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic particles having a size of 0.7 mm or more are included in an amount of 60% by weight or more and 80% by weight or less based on 100% by weight of the total inorganic particles. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm include particles having a particle size of 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.3 mm. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm include particles having a particle size of 0.3 mm or more and less than 0.7 mm. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm include particles having a particle size of 0.1 mm or more and less than 0.3 mm and particles having a particle size of 0.3 mm or more and less than 0.7 mm. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic particles are at least one selected from the group consisting of amorphous silica particles, glass particles containing barium ions, and crystalline quartz particles. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the binder resin includes at least one of an unsaturated polyester resin and polymethyl methacrylate. The method of claim 1, wherein the binder resin contains 90% by weight or more of an unsaturated polyester resin, and the unsaturated polyester resin comprises an unsaturated polyester polymer and a vinyl monomer in a weight ratio of 100: 30 to 70. Manufactured artificial marble. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the quartz powder has a SiO ₂ content of 99.5% by weight or more and 100% by weight or less. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the quartz powder has a SiO ₂ content of 99.5 wt% or more and 100 wt% or less, and an alumina content of 0.5 wt% or less. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the quartz powder has a particle size of less than 0.1 mm. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the quartz powder includes powder having a particle size of less than 55 μm. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the quartz powder includes powder having a particle size of 55 μm or more and less than 0.1 mm. The artificial marble according to claim 1, wherein the quartz powder includes powder having a particle size of less than 55 μm and powder having a particle size of 55 μm or more and less than 0.1 mm. The method of claim 1, wherein the artificial marble has a combat duty rate of 6% or more and 20% when the combat duty is measured using a turbidimeter (Nippon Denshoku's NDH 5000) for an artificial marble sample having a width of 7 cm, a length of 7 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm. Artificial marble, characterized in that the following. The method of claim 1, wherein the artificial marble illuminates the artificial marble with light of 60 lumens for an artificial marble sample having a width of 7 cm, a length of 7 cm and a thickness of 1.5 cm, and the artificial marble contacting the backlight. Artificial marble, characterized in that the luminance is 400 cd / m ² or more and 2000 cd / m ² or less when the luminance is measured using a luminance meter (KONICA MINOLTA's Luminance Meter LS-160) about 5 cm above the surface of the artificial marble on the other side. The artificial marble according to claim 1, which comprises 500 to 800 parts by weight of inorganic particles and 200 to 400 parts by weight of quartz powder, based on 100 parts by weight of the binder resin. An artificial marble comprising a region made of the artificial marble according to any one of claims 1 to 17. preparing an artificial marble composition comprising a binder resin, inorganic particles, and quartz powder, wherein the inorganic particles include inorganic particles having a particle size of 0.7 mm or more and particles having a particle size of less than 0.7 mm;
A compression molding step of putting the artificial marble composition into a mold and compression molding;
After curing the artificial marble composition, removing it from the mold (removing the mold) to produce artificial marble, and
The method of manufacturing artificial marble according to any one of claims 1 to 17, comprising a post-processing step of cutting the artificial marble and polishing the surface smoothly.