Definition and Key Features of Composite acrylic solid surface

Origins of Pure acrylic solid surface

Pure acrylic solid surface as one acrylic resin artificial stone materials was firstly invented in the mid-1960s by DuPont Company with brand name Corian® in United States. It is mainly made from “Methyl Methacrylate” (MMA) + Aluminum Hydroxide (ATH) as the filler+ Pigments & Additive, we commonly called pure acrylic solid surface OR 100% acrylic solid surface. It was widely used as kitchen countertops, wall or column cladding and furniture applications. Subsequently other well-known brands such as HI-MACS®, Staron®, Hanex® also entered this acrylic solid surface materials market, providing consumers with more choices.

Except main advantages such as Environmentally-friendly, Anti-yellow, Heat-resistant, Anti-penetrating, the most significant and notable feature of pure acrylic solid surface can be freely thermoformed after heating according to the design, but its price is also very higher. In order to make this solid surface materials accessible to more consumers on a budget, modified acrylic solid surface was also accordingly developed in 1996 in China, as one attractive alternative kitchen countertops materials on the market, its performance is second only to pure acrylic solid surface with the cost-effective price.

Definition of Modified acrylic solid surface

Modified acrylic solid surface is another alternative type of acrylic resin artificial marble materials which is a mixture of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) and Unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) with Aluminum Hydroxide as the filler. There are about the ratio of 8~10% MMA, about 26% UPR including 0.3% Anti-UV resin and 63% [AL(OH)3] in LUXUStone® modified acrylic solid surface, so this is the reason why modified acrylic solid surface also be called as Polyester solid surface OR Composite acrylic solid surface. With polymerizing high-quality unsaturated resin matrix in the compositions, modified acrylic solid surface is more cost-effective choice and highly popular compared to the expensive price of pure acrylic solid surface materials. It also was widely used as Kitchen Countertops, Vanity tops, Reception countertops, Checkout countertops and so on in home & commercial spaces because of its beauty, durability, design flexibility and versatile color choices like pure acrylic solid surface.

Key features of Modified acrylic solid surface

Modified acrylic solid surface materials was produced through the manufacturing technique of vacuum molding and post curing. Its surface gloss can reaches 1200 grades with the excellent durability, it features high toughness, resistance to cracking & deformation and its characteristics including corrosion resistance, ease of cleaning and seamless-jointing are nothing less than pure acrylic solid surface, this also make it suitable for complex shape scenarios too, so its finished product is widely used in kitchen countertops, medical laboratory countertops and architectural decoration fields because of the following features.

1. Compared to other ordinary artificial stone decoration materials, modified acrylic solid surface particularly has the characteristics of high toughness and is not prone to cracking or deformation. Its physical properties such as tensile and impact resistance are over 20% higher than other ordinary artificial marble.

2. Modified acrylic solid surface is not only Environmentally friendly because Pure & High-quality mineral powder (Aluminum Hydroxide) is used as the filler, but also are Non-toxic & Non-radiation and also passed non-toxicity tests. It will not cause any harmful radiation to the human health.

3. The oxygen index of modified acrylic solid surface is 60.6% with excellent flame retardancy. At the same time, its resistance to chemical corrosion and pollution are better than other ordinary artificial stone countertops, so it is really one ideal choice for kitchen countertops.

4. Its surface is smooth and Non-porous, this means that liquids and satins such as coffee or juice can’t penetrate its surface inside, the color is vivid with the higher glossiness, the texture of modified acrylic solid surface is more delicate and finer, the glossiness is better effect than other ordinary artificial stone materials.

5. Easy to process & install, better processing performance than artificial marble materials too with less dust during the cutting & processing. With the same sanding and polishing operations, its surface glossiness is better and also can maintain for a longer time with daily maintenance, its surface scratches also can be easily repaired by sanding.

Comparison between Pure Acrylic Solid Surface, Modified Acrylic Solid Surface and Laminate Materials

Countertops are the most frequently used surfaces in residential application and commercial space, therefore these countertops materials need to be strong and durable enough to withstand frequent use for many years. Because improper countertop materials can cause a range of damage problems, so we must consider their performance as following:

– Durability for many years
– Anti-water damage property
– Environment friendly and safety
– High glossiness and Seamless-Joint
– Anti-penetrating and impact-resistant

If you want to find and then confirm which countertops materials are suitable & affordable for your project or design, this article and table can fully help you to understand the advantages and defects of these countertops materials, we professionally explain their pros and cons by the comparison between pure & modified acrylic solid surface and laminate materials.

Mark: You also can get more useful information about acrylic solid surface materials from the following articles.
1. How to choose kitchen countertops?
2. Advantages and Applications of LUXUStone® Acrylic Solid Surface
3. Similarities and differences between pure & modified acrylic solid surface

Main application of Modified acrylic solid surface

Modified acrylic solid surface materials offer exceptional versatility and widely used as kitchen countertops, wall cladding, furniture and many other applications in residential & commercial application.

Kitchen Countertops: Their Waterproof, Non-inflammable, Anti-penetrating and Hygienic properties make them ideal for food preparation areas countertops, the Seamless-Joint, Non-porous features also prevent the growth of bacteria.

Commercial Space: From reception countertops in restaurant, make-up display countertops in shopping mall to checkout countertops in retail store, the durability, functional property and design flexibility of Modified acrylic solid surface make it ideal for all those design-oriented realms to create unique and customized application.

Hospital & Laboratory Countertops: Modified acrylic solid surface not only has excellent resistance to acid & alkali, but also is easy to clean & maintain and is widely used as reception countertops in hospital and laboratory countertops to meet the requirements of one sterile environment.

LUXUStone – China Premium Supplier & manufacturer of Acrylic solid surface

LUXUStone® is one leading factory of acrylic solid surface in China. On the base of the good quality and competitive price, we supply acrylic solid surface materials to over 30 countries including USA, Britain, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and so on with more 19 years up to now. Whether you need Modified acrylic solid surface or Pure acrylic solid surface for your project requirements, we always are ready to serve you according to your budget.