ANÁLISE CRÍTICA DOS PRINCIPAIS MÉTODOS DE TRATAMENTO SUPERFICIAL ATUALMENTE UTILIZADO NO SETOR DE ROCHAS ORNAMENTAIS

Critical analysis of the main surface treatment methods currently used in the dimension stones industry

Abstract

Currently, the use of dimension stones has intensified mineral exploration in Brazil. Quartzite is an example of the need for this sector, mainly because it has good physical-mechanical and chemical resistance. Due to the high demand of the market in searching new materials, the companies responsible for the production of these stones are being forced to present new methods of processing to remove surface oxidation. The objective of this work was to select one of the most commercialized quartzites today and to determine which processing type is the most efficient, in order to propose new methods for the industries. For this, a data survey was carried out in three different companies which process the same type of quartzite, from the same supplier, but with different application methods to remove oxidation and using the same input, the hydrochloric acid, which is the fundamental item for the removal of oxidation. For the studied stone, the best technique was the application of acid by gravity. This work aims to collaborate to reduce the empiricism verified in the sector, considering that the petrographic properties of a certain dimension stone is a fundamental factor to better choose the system for removing oxidation stains.