Reconstituted stone panel (15mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm)
Cementitious Binder
ATLAS CODE
COM-AGG-CEM-002
Category composite
Material Family Aggregate-Based
Regulatory Status Not classified to AS 1530.1 (see reaction-to-fire ratings)
Density
2000-2450 kg/m3
Carbon (A1-A5)
Estimated 25-40 kg CO₂-eq/m² kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Not classified to AS 1530.1 (see reaction-to-fire ratings)
Lifespan
25-40 years (historical data) yrs
Description
Reconstituted stone panels (often called engineered stone or quartz composite) are manufactured slabs made from crushed stone aggregates bound with a resin or cement matrix, supplied in 15 mm, 20 mm, 30 mm, and 40 mm thicknesses. Quartz-based engineered stone typically contains about 7-15% resin with 85-93% quartz by mass (product dependent), giving a dense, low-porosity panel with high mechanical performance. In Australia, engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs containing at least 1% crystalline silica are prohibited from manufacture, supply, processing, and installation from 1 July 2024 under the model WHS Regulations; exclusions include concrete/cement products and porcelain or sintered stone without resin.
Primary Sectors
[Hospitality][Commercial][Healthcare]
Typical Uses
- Interior wall cladding (historical use only)
- Kitchen benchtops (banned from July 2024)
- Bathroom vanity tops (discontinued)
- Commercial facade panels (limited fire rating)
- Retail shopfronts (alternative materials recommended)
- Feature walls (natural stone alternatives preferred)
- Laboratory benches (specialized alternatives required)
- Healthcare surfaces (porcelain alternatives)
PROHIBITED
Recycled Content 0-15% typical
Renewable Content 0%
Recyclability 0-30% (resin-based), 80-95% (cement-based)
Embodied Carbon Estimated 25-40 kg CO₂-eq/m² kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 150-250 MJ/m² MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
Uniform appearance and consistent propertiesLow water absorption (≤0.05%)High scratch resistance (Mohs 6-7)Chemical resistance to household acidsMinimal maintenance requirementsWide color and pattern rangeNon-porous surface inhibits bacterial growthDimensional stability when properly installed
Cautions
BANNED in Australia from July 2024Severe silicosis risk during fabricationContains combustible polyester resinsFails AS 1530.1 combustibility requirementsLimited fire resistance ratingUV degradation in direct sunlightThermal shock sensitivityHigh embodied energyLimited recyclability (resin-based types)Requires professional installation
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES COM-AGG-CEM-002
Density (Dry) 2000-2450 kg/m3
Specific Gravity 2.1-2.7
Porosity <0.5% %
Water Absorption 0.10 max % by mass
Hardness up to 7 Mohs
Surface Roughness Ra 0.02-0.1 μm (polished finish) μm
UV Resistance Poor - unsuitable for direct sunlight except special formulations
Chemical Resistance Good for pH 3-10, etching above pH 10
pH Tolerance pH 3-10 optimal range
Compressive Strength 150-250 MPa
Tensile Strength 8-15 MPa (estimated) MPa
Flexural Strength 40-65 MPa
Shear Strength 12-18 MPa (estimated) MPa
Elastic Modulus 15-40 GPa GPa
Yield Strength Not applicable - brittle failure MPa
Impact Resistance 2-8+ J
Bearing Capacity Substrate dependent kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.20-0.25
Creep Resistance Data not available - minimal expected
Abrasion Resistance 27-33 mm (EN 14617-4)
Thermal Conductivity 1.3 W/(m*K)
Thermal Resistance R0.03-0.08 m²·K/W (15-40mm) m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 840-880 J/(kg·K) J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 21-50 x10^-6 /C
Melting Point Resin softens at 150-200°C °C
Ignition Temperature Data not available °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) Data not available - estimated 35-45 STC
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.01-0.05 (highly reflective surface)
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% (opaque material) %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 20-85% depending on color %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) Variable by color - data unavailable
Engineered stone became widely used for benchtops and interior cladding, but Australia now prohibits the manufacture, supply, processing, and installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs containing at least 1% crystalline silica from 1 July 2024 under the model WHS Regulations, with limited legacy-work allowances.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION COM-AGG-CEM-002
Flame Spread Index ASTM E84 Class A
Smoke Developed Index ASTM E84 Class A
Combustibility Class Not classified to AS 1530.1 (see reaction-to-fire ratings)
Ignition Temperature Data not available °C
Fire Resistance Rating No FRL rating - combustible resin content hours
Heat Release Rate Data not available kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion Releases toxic fumes from polyester resin
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) Estimated 25-40 kg CO₂-eq/m² kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 150-250 MJ/m² MJ/kg
Water Footprint Data not available L/kg
EPD Available No
LEED Points MR credits possible with recycled content
Circular Economy Score 2/10 (poor end-of-life options) /100
VOC Emissions Styrene 3.57 mg/m³, Toluene 1.70 mg/m³ during cutting g/L
Skill Level Professional - licensed tradesperson
Crew Size 2-3 persons for panels >20mm
Installation Time 0.5-1.2 hours/m² hr/m²
Curing Time 24 hours adhesive, 7 days full cure hours
Setting Time Initial set 2-4 hours at 21°C min
Temperature Range 5-35°C optimal installation °C
Humidity Range 30-85% RH %
Required Tools
Diamond-tipped cutting equipmentWet saw with dust suppression12mm notched trowelLevel and straight edgeSuction cup liftersAngle grinder with diamond blade
Certifications Required
Certificate III in Wall and Floor Tiling (CPC31320)White Card (construction induction)Working at Heights (where applicable)Silica dust awareness training
Weather Limitations
Temperature 5-35°CWind <25 km/hNo rain for 7 days post-installationRelative humidity 30-85%
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY COM-AGG-CEM-002
Material Cost $400-1800/m² (thickness dependent)
Installation Cost $75-155/m²
Annual Maintenance $2-5/m² (cleaning), $15-30/m² (professional)
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) $535-775/m² over 25 years
Market Availability Discontinued - banned from July 2024
Lead Time Not available - production ceased weeks
Design Life 25-40 years (historical data) years
Warranty Period 10-15 years typical (void after ban) years
Maintenance Interval Cleaning 6-12 months, sealing 3-5 years months
Service Temp Range -5°C to +60°C °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance 50-125 cycles (alpine regions only)
Dimensional Stability Stable with proper expansion joints at 3-4.5m
Fire Code Compliance
EN 13501-1 reaction to fire classifications (e.g., A2fl-s1 or Bfl-s1 flooring and C-s3,d0 walls, product dependent)
Standards Compliance
Model WHS Regulations Chapter 8A (engineered stone prohibition effective 1 July 2024; legacy work only)ASTM E84 (surface burning characteristics)EN 14617-1 (density, water absorption)EN 14617-2 (flexural strength)EN 14617-11 (linear thermal expansion)EN 14617-15 (compressive strength)EN 13501-1 (reaction to fire classification)
DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.