In one embodiment, a method of forming an extruded board includes mixing a resin and a foaming agent, melting the mixed resin and foaming agent to form a uniformly colored extrudate, differentially expanding voids formed from the foaming agent within the uniformly colored extrudate by passing the uniformly colored extrudate through a breaker plate, forming a board with the differentially expanded voids and uniformly colored extrudate, and forming lightened portions on an outermost surface of the formed board.

Systems and methods of thermoforming stone slabs are provided, such as by heating a stone slab while forming it to a mold. Curved stone slabs may be produced having low radii of curvature.

Provided herein are a method and a system for producing slabs, tiles or sheets of artificial stone, with a wide vein effect, comprising inorganic particles of different sizes and hardened binders, and which simulate the appearance of natural stone.

In one embodiment, a method of forming an extruded board includes mixing a resin and a foaming agent, melting the mixed resin and foaming agent to form a uniformly colored extrudate, differentially expanding voids formed from the foaming agent within the uniformly colored extrudate by passing the uniformly colored extrudate through a breaker plate, forming a board with the differentially expanded voids and uniformly colored extrudate, and forming lightened portions on an outermost surface of the formed board.

Provided herein are a method and a system for producing slabs, tiles or sheets of artificial stone, with a wide vein effect, comprising inorganic particles of different sizes and hardened binders, and which simulate the appearance of natural stone.

A synthetic stone for decorative purposes, countertops, flooring, and the like comprises, as a major component, magnesium compounds, and includes diamond or quartz sand. It is formed via a vibro-compression process that is conducted under vacuum and at ambient temperature. The synthetic stone slab is very hard, waterproof, mildew-proof, insect-proof, environmentally friendly, and low cost.

The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing artificial marble including a granite soil storage unit for supplying a granite soil; a granite soil heating unit for heating the soil; a resin storage unit for storing a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) resin; a mixing-transporting unit for accommodating the resin and the heated granite soil therein and melting and mixing them to produce and simultaneously transport an artificial marble slurry; a material guide unit for guiding the soil and the resin into the mixing-transporting unit; a discharge unit for discharging the slurry; a mold supply unit for continuously supplying a mold for accommodating and molding the slurry; a mold guide unit for guiding the mold to accommodate the slurry; a forming unit for forming an artificial marble by applying vibration and pressure to the slurry; an extraction unit for extracting the mold; and a lamination unit for laminating and storing the mold extracted.

Systems and methods of thermoforming stone slabs are provided, such as by heating a stone slab while forming it to a mold. Curved stone slabs may be produced having low radii of curvature.

The present invention relates to transparent chips for artificial marble and artificial marble including the same. The transparent chips for artificial marble include (A) a halogenated epoxy acrylate resin and (B) metal fibers. The transparent chips are fabricated by adding metal fibers to a transparent resin. The transparent chips for artificial marble can implement both linear stripe patterns and three-dimensional effects inherent thereto, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Disclosed are an artificial marble composition having a natural marble texture, and a method for producing artificial marble using the same. The artificial marble composition according to the present invention comprises: a first resin mixture; and a second resin mixture which is added to the first resin mixture and has a viscosity different from the first resin mixture, wherein each of the first and second resin mixtures comprises a base resin and an inorganic filler, and wherein the second resin mixture further comprises a thixotropic agent.