Types of Composite Kitchen Sinks

Types of Composite Kitchen Sinks

The materials used for composite kitchen sinks include:

PMMA granite sinks are essentially a high-end artificial stone sink. They are made by mixing natural granite/quartz particles with PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate, i.e., acrylic) material and then molding them under high temperature and pressure. This combination gives them both the hardness of natural stone and the toughness of resin.

Its core advantages are mainly reflected in the following points:

• Super durable, combining the high hardness of granite (Mohs hardness up to 7) with the adhesiveness of PMMA, it is wear-resistant, impact-resistant, and heat-resistant, even able to withstand rapid temperature changes from 100°C to 15°C without cracking.

• Stain-resistant, the material itself is dense and non-porous (similar to the hydrophobicity of lotus leaves), with extremely low water absorption, making it difficult for stains such as soy sauce and vinegar to penetrate, and very easy to clean.

UPR-type quartz sinks are essentially a mid-range artificial stone sink. They are made by mixing natural granite/quartz stone particles with UPR (unsaturated resin) material and then casting them at room temperature and pressure. This combination gives them both the hardness of natural stone and the toughness of resin.

Its core advantages are mainly reflected in the following points:

• Good cost performance, combining the high hardness of quartz stone (Mohs hardness up to 5) and the good toughness of UPR resin.

• Prone to staining: The material surface has pores.

•Insufficient hardness and wear resistance, easily scratched during use.

• Prone to discoloration; after a year of use, black sinks tend to turn white, and white sinks tend to turn yellow.

3. SMC (or BMC) sinks, UPR + calcium carbonate + reinforcing fibers. The matrix resin, low-shrinkage agent, curing agent, filler, internal release agent, and glass fiber are mixed into a briquette as a molding compound. Compression molding can be used.

SMC (or BMC) process, approximately 75% calcium carbonate  + 25% resin, is formed using a thermosetting molding process. It is a mid-to-low-end sink with the following characteristics:

• Lightweight and high-strength, capable of withstanding impacts during daily kitchen use without breakage.

• Excellent hot water resistance, color stable, and will not discolor over long-term use.

• Excellent dimensional stability: will not deform with long-term use.

• Good heat resistance: heat distortion temperature up to 200-280℃.

• Nano-treated surface: easy to clean, non-stick to oil stains, with good stain resistance and self-cleaning ability.

• Low surface hardness, easily scratched.