Comparison of physical and mechanical properties of artificial stone made with conditions (existence and lack of vacuum and pressure), resin and different aggregates

Artificial stone is a mixture of natural aggregate and additives such as industrial gums (resin), cement and other polymer materials. The purpose of this study is to compare the physical and mechanical properties of artificial stones made in different conditions, resins and aggregates. To achieve these goals, synthetic rock samples were made with polyester and vinyl ester resins and granite, lime, silica granules and lime-silica composites, with the existence and lack of vacuum and pressure during the fabrication of artificial stones. To determine the physical and mechanical properties (Brazilian Test, Point Load Test, Uniaxial Compression Test), artificial stones have been tested. Based on experiments, artificial stones made with vacuum and pressure systems have more favorable physical properties and undesirable engineering characteristics than coarse specimens made in completely manual conditions without vacuum and pressure systems. The specimens made with vinyl ester resin have more axial compressive strength than the other specimens and their fracture type is elastic - fracture but the specimens made of polyester resin without paying attention to aggregate type, show the elastic - plastic and creep behevior. Increasing of the resin percentage in artificial stones made of limestone, increases tensile strength but does not have a positive effect on granite. The results show that all the resistive properties of artificial stones are controllable. Also the mixing plan and ratio of mixing percentages are the most important principles in the strength and resistance of the artificial stone and are flexible for any use and taste.