New technology for fragile stone blocks

Using an advanced proprietary system, Savema of Pietrasanta, Italy, now processes blocks of marble, onyx and other materials that were previously thought to be too fragile for effective slab processing

Since its foundation in 1975, Savema S.p.A. of Pietrasanta, Italy, has developed into a leading stone producer in the international marketplace, and it has introduced a number of stoneworking innovations over the past three decades. One of the latest has been the implementation of a system that utilizes vacuum technology and pressure to impregnate fragile stone blocks with epoxy resin reinforcement.

The system from Errebi uses technology developed between a collaboration of Protec - which makes a range of equipment for resin treatment - and Savema. The entire block runs on a conveyor into a specialized chamber, and a combination of first vacuum treatment and then pressure is used for optimum penetration of the resin.

The system was provided through Errebi srl of Pietrasanta, which was established in June of 2005 with the goal of offering technology to create structurally sound blocks from fragile marble, onyx and granite varieties.

The system from Errebi uses technology developed between a collaboration of Protec - which makes a range of equipment for resin treatment - and Savema. The entire block runs on a conveyor into a specialized chamber, and a combination of first vacuum treatment and then pressure is used for optimum penetration of the resin.

After the resin is applied, the outside of the block is wrapped in fiberglass for added reinforcement during processing.

The system works with bi-component epoxy resin products from Tenax S.p.A. of Italy, which were specifically developed for the process. In developing the resin, Tenax had to develop a product with a very fluid consistency, so it would respond well to the pressure caused by the system. As a result, it has a curing time of six to seven hours, which also allows it to travel deep into the block. After the resin is applied, the outside of the block is wrapped in fiberglass for added reinforcement during processing.

By utilizing this process, Savema is able to take a fragile, brittle stone and make it structurally sound, and this process offers several advantages. The most obvious is the ability to create slabs out of materials that were previously considered to be too fragile for effectively processing into slabs. And from a practical standpoint, when blocks are processed using the system, they do not have to be squared prior to sawing. Moreover, the resin-treated blocks offer a safer work environment during the sawing process, and the finished slabs are more consistent.

The system works with bi-component epoxy resin products from Tenax S.p.A. of Italy, which were specifically developed for the process.

According to Errebi, the system has been successful with marbles such as Giallo Siena, Portoro, Rosso Levanto, Calacatta, Statuario, Nero Saint Laurent and several green materials. Additionally, it has been used on several types of onyx, including white, orange, green and caramel varieties. In the granite sector, it has been used for materials such as Moscarello and Rain Forest Green, among others.

The process has successfully worked on Giallo Siena marble, among many other materials.

The treated blocks are processed on a gangsaw using the same methods as non-treated materials, and the finished slabs are then ready for further processing.