Development of sustainable engineered stone cladding for toughness, durability, and energy conservation

This study aims to investigate the techniques of manufacturing an improved engineered stone for better toughness, ductility, durability, and thermal resistance. The new artificial stone consists of two layers. The face layer is made strong, durable, colored, and smooth/or textured for natural look, while the back layer is light, high impact resistance, and low heat conductivity for better insulation and energy cost. The back layer utilizes recycled crumb rubber, which provides a combined solution for energy saving and environmental concerns. It reduces the material unit weight, enhances ductility and toughness, and improves thermal resistance. The stone’s properties such as compressive strength, thermal conductivity, durability, impact resistance and water absorption were experimentally measured and compared with natural stone specimens.

► This study investigated the techniques of manufacturing an improved engineered stone and enhancing its physical and mechanical properties.
► The proposed engineered stone is light-weight cladding material.
► The face layer of the stone has high compressive strength of 97 MPa (cube test), which can protect the back layer and other internal components against over loading.
► Considerable energy savings may be obtained by facing the building with the proposed engineered stone. It has low thermal conductivity.
► The addition of recycled crumb rubber reduces the material unit weight, enhances ductility and toughness, and improves thermal resistance.