Effect of inorganic compound on artificial stones’ properties

Many natural mines of decorative stones have been seen in the mountainous areas of the province Lorestan (Iran). Due to the traditional harvesting methods, these processes cause irreparable environmental damages. The formulation of decorative stone consists of travertine stone (TS) and marmarit stone (MS) with stone seeds 8–200 and 10–200. Cement, water, unsaturated polyester resin and fillers are used in the production of artificial stone composites from lesions of stone factory. The mechanical properties of TS with grain of size 10–200 are better than other grains and stones. The compressive strength of the samples was increased by reducing water content to 25 % and increase of unsaturated polyester resin percentage to 12 %. To improve the properties of the samples and minimization of their pores, we used fillers such as calcium carbonate, silica, silane, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Calcium carbonate causes softening and loss of the composite samples. The results showed that use of the fillers including micro-silica, silane and titanium dioxide increases mechanical properties and eliminated close to all pores significantly. Unlike the concrete, artificial stone composite obtained in the absence of water pool showed better properties that increase with time.