About Sintered Materials

One of the material types that fabricators work with is sintered material. This type of material is one that has very distinctive characteristics and it is used for a variety of purposes. It comes in more than one appearance and is a popular choice for many architects and designers. Let's explore some of the specifics about sintered materials.

The Sintering Process

When considering sintered materials, it stands to reason that we would look at what the material actually is and how it is produced. The term "sintered" describes the process used to engineer the material. A variety of raw materials may be used and the sintering processes will have nuances from one brand to the next. However, the process of sintering materials is generally the same.

The sintering process consists of exposing raw materials to extreme forces to actually change the material in such a manner that it takes on new properties. As previously stated, the process for sintering is accomplished in roughly the same way using a variety of materials. so what are some of the materials used to produce sintered materials?

The Materials

Each producer of sintered material has its own recipe for producing a given surface. Depending on the brand of the product you research, you will find that the raw materials used to produce the surface will vary just like the process does. In fact, each company producing sintered materials has its unique sintering process and specific blend of materials. Some of the materials used in the production of sintered surfaces include:

• Feldspar
• Silica
• Quartz
• Glass
• Clay
• Pigments

Each of the raw materials is used for a particular purpose and in differing quantities. Some of the key characteristics these the materials provide are as follows:

• Coloring
• Hardness
• Stability
• Adhesiveness

Sintered materials fall under a couple of major categories. These two categories are ultracompact surfaces (or sintered stone) and porcelain. These two materials are created in similar ways but they are different materials in different categories. You can get more information on this website about the difference between sintered stone and porcelain.

Sintering is a process through which various materials can be transformed into other materials. new technologies are allowing for a variety of materials to be developed. Some of them are new others are variations of tried and true technologies. Whatever the case, sintered materials will no doubt continue to influence the landscape of the stone industry.