Engineered stone (quartz composite) (12mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm)
Resin Binder
ATLAS CODE
COM-AGG-RES-001
Category composite
Material Family Aggregate-Based
Regulatory Status Not classified to AS 1530.1
Density
>=2.1 g/cm3
Carbon (A1-A5)
Data not available
Fire Class
Not classified to AS 1530.1
Lifespan
15-25 years residential, 10-20 years commercial yrs
Description
Engineered stone (quartz composite) is an artificial stone product formed by combining natural stone materials with resins/pigments and hardening the mix. For the purposes of the model WHS Regulations, engineered stone contains at least 1% crystalline silica (by weight) and is supplied as benchtops, panels, or slabs; these products are prohibited in Australia for manufacture, supply, processing, and installation from 1 July 2024.
Primary Sectors
[Residential][Hospitality][Commercial][Healthcare]
Typical Uses
- Kitchen benchtops (residential) - BANNED
- Bathroom vanities - BANNED
- Commercial food service surfaces - BANNED
- Laboratory benchtops - BANNED
- Reception desks and counters - BANNED
- Wall cladding (interior) - BANNED
- Flooring (limited applications) - BANNED
- Window sills - BANNED
- Stair treads - BANNED
- Splashbacks - BANNED
Recycled Content Data not available
Renewable Content 0%
Recyclability Data not available
Embodied Carbon Data not available
Embodied Energy Data not available
EPD Available No
Advantages
Low water absorption (?0.05%) and high density (?2.1 g/cm?) reported in quartz surface datasheetsFlexural strength >35?40 MPa and compressive strength up to ~299 MPa reported in datasheetsSurface burning reported as ASTM E84 Class A in datasheets
Cautions
Prohibited in Australia for benchtops/panels/slabs from 1 July 2024 (engineered stone ban)Very high crystalline silica content (often ~93% or higher) poses severe RCS health risksCombustibility classification to AS 1530.1 not established; only surface/reaction-to-fire tests reported
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES COM-AGG-RES-001
Density (Dry) >=2.1 g/cm3
Specific Gravity >=2.1
Porosity <0.1% %
Water Absorption <=0.05 % by mass
Hardness 6.5-7.5 Mohs
Surface Roughness 0.1-0.8 μm Ra μm
UV Resistance Good - slight yellowing possible over 10+ years
Chemical Resistance Excellent for pH 2-12, vulnerable to HF acid
pH Tolerance pH 2-12
Compressive Strength 157-299 (dry); 203-274 (wet) MPa
Tensile Strength 8.5-16.5 MPa MPa
Flexural Strength >35-40 MPa
Shear Strength 10-15 MPa MPa
Elastic Modulus 30-50 GPa GPa
Yield Strength Not applicable - brittle failure MPa
Impact Resistance >4.9 J
Bearing Capacity 150-200 MPa kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.15-0.25
Creep Resistance Excellent - minimal under sustained load
Abrasion Resistance V<130 mm3; chord length <25 mm
Thermal Conductivity <1 W/m?K
Thermal Resistance R-0.009 to R-0.090 m²·K/W m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 750-850 J/(kg·K) J/kgK
Thermal Expansion <52 x10^-6 /?C
Melting Point 250°C (resin), >1700°C (quartz) °C
Ignition Temperature ~550°C °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) STC 28-52
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.03-0.08
Optical
Light Transmittance 0% %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 20-80% %
Solar Reflectance (SRI) 10-95
Quartz composite surfaces were industrialised using Breton?s quartz stone technology, which is cited by manufacturers as the pioneering process behind many engineered stone brands. The product category expanded globally in the 1990s?2010s before Australia?s 2024 prohibition due to respirable crystalline silica risks.
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION COM-AGG-RES-001
Flame Spread Index ASTM E84 Class A (FSI 0-25; SDI 0-450)
Smoke Developed Index Not rated - produces toxic smoke
Combustibility Class Not classified to AS 1530.1
Ignition Temperature ~550°C °C
Fire Resistance Rating Not rated (surface tests only) hours
Heat Release Rate Not specified - combustible kW/m²
Toxicity of Combustion High - CO, organic compounds from resin
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) Data not available
Embodied Energy Data not available
Water Footprint 15-25 L/kg L/kg
EPD Available No
Recycled Content Data not available
LEED Points 1-2 points
Circular Economy Score 1-2/10 /100
VOC Emissions <0.1 g/L installed, hazardous during fabrication g/L
Skill Level Specialist - Certificate III Stonemasonry + silica training
Crew Size 2-4 qualified installers + safety officer
Installation Time 2-3 hours/m² standard, 4-8 hours/m² complex hr/m²
Curing Time 24 hours working strength, 72 hours full cure hours
Setting Time 30-45 minutes initial set for adhesives min
Temperature Range 5-35°C installation, optimal 15-25°C °C
Humidity Range 30-85% RH, optimal 40-60% %
Required Tools
Diamond-tipped wet cutting systems MANDATORYBridge saw with continuous water flowVariable speed polisher (50-3000 grit)Local exhaust ventilation systemAir monitoring equipment for RCSWater suppression systemsEnclosed dust containment workspaceHEPA vacuum systems
Certifications Required
Certificate III in Stonemasonry or equivalent10830NAT - Crystalline Silica Exposure PreventionWhite Card - Construction InductionWorking at Heights (if applicable)Manual Handling certification
Weather Limitations
Temperature 5-35°C requiredOptimal 15-25°CMaximum 85% relative humidityNo installation during rainProtected from direct sun during cure
COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY COM-AGG-RES-001
Material Cost $400-1350 AUD/m²
Installation Cost $50-250 AUD/m²
Annual Maintenance $10-20 AUD/m²
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) $1100-2300 AUD/m² over 20 years
Market Availability BANNED - No longer available in Australia
Lead Time N/A - Product banned weeks
Design Life 15-25 years residential, 10-20 years commercial years
Warranty Period 10 years (Caesarstone/Quantum), 25 years (Silestone) years
Maintenance Interval Daily cleaning, annual professional assessment months
Service Temp Range -10°C to +80°C standard, -30°C to +150°C specialty °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance 20 cycles without damage (ASTM C666)
Dimensional Stability ±0.5mm/m over temperature range
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.3 (surface burning indices reported in datasheets)
Standards Compliance
Model WHS Regulations Chapter 8A (engineered stone prohibition effective 1 July 2024)ASTM C97 (density, water absorption)ASTM C880/C880M (flexural strength)ASTM C170 (compressive strength)ASTM E84 (surface burning)ASTM C1243 (abrasion)EN 14617-1 (density, water absorption)EN 14617-2 (flexural strength)EN 14617-4 (abrasion)EN 14617-9 (impact resistance)EN 14617-11 (thermal expansion)EN 12664 (thermal conductivity)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.