Chemistry of Polymers in Man-Made Materials

Polymers are used for countertops, fixtures and other manufacturing products in Acrylic, Polyester, Epoxy resin and many other types of Polymers depending on the product. Each type of polymer has it’s own advantages and disadvantages.

Polyester offers clarity and beauty that we see in many man made materials today (normally sold in slab format). Polyester is not our desired polymer, it is very volatile (explosive prior to curing like acetone) and high fume smell prior to curing requiring special control chambers, ventilation and masks.

Durite R&D is constantly evaluating newly advanced polymers, and assess in what type of environment, durability and maintenance it can be best used.

Countertops require stiffness (bridal) and rigidity so if used as cantilever, the material does not bend on its own weight. Surface must be hard and resilient to allow all sorts of conditions like citric acid, lime juice, salts and other fluids that can eat away the surface. Anti-Bacterial surfaces approved by the (FDA Standards) is another major and important feature when coming in contact with food. Each surface must be engineered subject to its own environments.

Polymers allows continuous pour, castings, bonding etc. the advancements of polymers in material science has achieved strength and properties that are incredible and impressive (12 ksi compression & 2 ksi tension without any reinforcement’s). As an example, the new Stealth Fighter F-22 "Rapture" uses a form of polymer for its clear cockpit, resistant to shock waves and heat.

Polymers allows us to set pieces next to each other and chemically bond it continuously, making joints disappear and becoming one piece. This ability cannot be achieved with cement based materials. It’s similar to metal welding,