Decorative items made of transparent concrete. Technology and business idea

I think this technology and idea will interest those who are engaged in the manufacture of decorative tiles and generally related to concrete (the manufacture of architectural forms). So what is clear concrete?

These are various forms, elements of concrete, in the structure of which there are light-conducting elements - fiber. The fiber optic filament diameter is used from 0.5 to 2.5 mm. Fiber optic is used, resistant to alkali (concrete - alkaline environment).

An example of test pieces made of fiber optic embedded in concrete. You can see how light passes through the concrete from the lamp. There are several options for making translucent elements. Here is one of them:

A concrete mixture is diluted from fine-grained quartz or marble sand. Usually, the fraction is 0.5-1 mm. Cement ratio: 1 to 3. With plasticizer. You can add color. A small layer is poured into a mold up to 1 cm thick. Aged for initial set. And as soon as the mixture is able to withstand the vertical installation of the optical fiber filaments, the light guides are stuck into it.

Fiber optic cost in China:

Length 100 m. Choice of thickness: 0, 75 mm and 1 mm. In companies selling fiber-optic cable and light guides - such light guides have a cost of 10 rubles / m

The segments can be stuck randomly, in layers, waves or a pattern. Then carefully fill in the rest of the mixture. It is better to knead it for the second approach later. Otherwise, during the waiting time for the seizure of the lower layer and during the work on laying the optical fiber, it will also seize.

It is important that all the fibers of the optical fibers protrude above the surface or be exactly with it. There will be no effect from threads sunk into the mass of concrete. It is necessary for the light to pass from one side of the product to another.

After the concrete has hardened, the element is removed from the mold and polished with special diamond discs for angle grinders, exposing the light guides:

In those companies that produce elements from such translucent concrete, the edges are cut down on machines with large diamond wheels. As a result, you get approximately the following surface (with magnification):

When pouring blocks or elements with a large thickness, the light guides are laid in layers and concrete is poured in layers in the same way. It is important that the concrete spreads itself. To do this, you need to use superplasticizers.

An option for making a decorative cube with a translucent pattern inside:

The production of translucent concrete elements is limited only by your imagination and shapes. I will offer several product options that I found interesting:

1. Decorative lamp

Four small slabs of calcined concrete with light guides are cast. I think that such a lamp requires 10-20 m of fiber. The amount is within 100 rubles. The concrete itself is 10-20 rubles. or less (depending on color and filler). LED lamp, socket with fastening, wire with plug and switch - 150 rubles more. Four legs are poured into concrete in advance. Or plastic dowels are poured in, and the legs are screwed in later.

The elements can be glued with translucent epoxy resin in angular shapes (each edge in turn). This is another 100-200 rubles. The total cost of the lamp is 500 rubles. Selling price, for example - 2000 rubles.

2. Bar counter or trade row panels. Receptions of renowned companies who wish to have an exclusive interior:

A light source is located behind the panels. It can be made iridescent. The cost price is about 1000 rubles / m2. The price for the customer is hard to say The profitability can be as high as 1000% if you produce panels with a pattern.

3. This technology can also be applied to countertop manufacturersmade of artificial stone.

The principle is the same as when pouring concrete. You can do the same as with concrete: a layer of polymer with filler is poured into the mold for the countertop. After a little grasping, you need to stick in the pieces of optical fiber - according to the pattern that we want to get. In this case, waves. Next, fill the entire form with a polymer mixture. As the product grabs - take out, grind and polish.

4. Interiors of luxury hotel rooms

Perhaps this will be an interesting direction for small furniture industries.

But cooperation with designers in this area is indispensable. They do the project and you are attracted as a contractor for the client. Or they simply redirect a client to you with a finished project.

5. Jewelry, key rings

On them, you can use fragments of fiber optic, so that every centimeter goes into action.

6. Advertising signs and plates for companies

If someone made products using this technology - write in the comments.

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