Stone Slabs

Stone slab is a thick, broad piece of stone which can be further used to create a large variety of artifacts and things of use in kitchen, living rooms and garden. In factory the stone slabs are the result of the transformation of raw materials exposed to extremely high temperatures, extremely high pressure and an exclusive process for surface randomness control.

Types of stones available in slab form

• Slate Slabs: Slate slabs are thick, broad pieces of slate stone. There is a wide variation in the composition and colors of these slabs. The most common colors used are black, green, brown, green and blue. They are mostly used in kitchen and as gravestones and snooker tables.
• Limestone Slabs: Limestone slabs are fabricated by the sawing of limestone blocks in the desired thickness. They are hard, impervious, and compact and have low water absorption. The common colors of limestone slabs are blue, green, brown, desert yellow and black. They are used widely for countertops, flooring, interior and exterior wall cladding and exterior paving.
• Granite Slabs: Granite slabs are fabricated by the sawing of Granite blocks in the desired thickness. These slabs possess hardness, excellent and lasting polish, durability and resistance to stain, scratch and heat. Due to these attributes they are widely used for flooring, vanities, wall cladding, kitchen counters, fireplaces, shower and tub surrounds. Thick granite slabs are used for gravestones, tombstones and plaques and other granite monuments and stone arts and crafts. These are also used for urban design such as for constructing paves, steps, security barriers and railings, park benches, and picnic tables.
• Marble Slabs: Marble slabs are fabricated by the sawing of marble blocks in the desired thickness. They are used for wall cladding and as building stones they occupy a unique position. Owing to their pleasing colors, aesthetic appeal, excellent polish and durability, marble slabs are widely used as counter tops, table tops, kitchen tops and vanities. They are also used as gravestones and tombstones.
• Sandstone Slabs: Sandstone slabs are fabricated by the sawing of sandstone blocks in desired thickness. They are available in various shapes and sizes. They are widely used in the arena of architecture. They are extremely popular for exterior applications such as in cladding and garden pathways.

Resining of Stone Slabs

Resining is a process when a stone slab is being treated with a resin, any substance of natural or synthetic origin generally exudated from sap of tree or plants. Stone slabs are impregnated with these resins to provide strength to the stone. There are certain slabs that are rejected due to several reasons like brittleness of the stone but now resins are applied on these slabs and the rejected slabs are marketed.

The resining process uses epoxy resins for granites and polyesters for marble. The slabs are first honed and dried, and then the resin is applied. The slabs are then cured in heated ovens, and after the resin is cured, the slabs are sent to the polishing lines where they are polished.

Stone Slab Saws

There are mainly two types of saws that are used to cut stone slabs. They include:

• Overhead Rail Saw: It is more expensive and is common in use. It works at a comfortable standing level.
• Track Saw: It is economical and can cut very large pieces of stone slabs with ease. The track is placed on slab and the blade is run along the track.