composite / Aggregate-Based / Resin Binder
Engineered stone (quartz composite) (12mm, 20mm, 30mm, 40mm)
Quartz composite benchtops/panels/slabs containing ?1% crystalline silica are prohibited in Australia from 1 July 2024 under the model WHS Regulations. Typical engineered stone contains very high silica levels (often ~93% or higher).
Atlas code
COM-AGG-RES-001
At-a-glance signals
Quartz composite benchtops/panels/slabs containing ?1% crystalline silica are prohibited in Australia from 1 July 2024 under the model WHS Regulations. Typical engineered stone contains very high silica levels (often ~93% or higher).
Overview
Executive summary
Engineered stone (quartz composite) is an artificial stone product formed by combining natural stone materials with resins/pigments and hardening the mix. For the purposes of the model WHS Regulations, engineered stone contains at least 1% crystalline silica (by weight) and is supplied as benchtops, panels, or slabs; these products are prohibited in Australia for manufacture, supply, processing, and installation from 1 July 2024.
Best when…
- Low water absorption (?0.05%) and high density (?2.1 g/cm?) reported in quartz surface datasheets
- Flexural strength >35?40 MPa and compressive strength up to ~299 MPa reported in datasheets
- Surface burning reported as ASTM E84 Class A in datasheets
Top advantages
- 01 Low water absorption (?0.05%) and high density (?2.1 g/cm?) reported in quartz surface datasheets
- 02 Flexural strength >35?40 MPa and compressive strength up to ~299 MPa reported in datasheets
- 03 Surface burning reported as ASTM E84 Class A in datasheets
Top limitations
- 01 Prohibited in Australia for benchtops/panels/slabs from 1 July 2024 (engineered stone ban)
- 02 Very high crystalline silica content (often ~93% or higher) poses severe RCS health risks
- 03 Combustibility classification to AS 1530.1 not established; only surface/reaction-to-fire tests reported
Technical
Physical ·9
- Density
- >=2.1 g/cm3 Quartz surface technical data (20 mm).
- Specific gravity
- >=2.1 Bulk density/spec gravity per quartz surface technical data (20 mm).
- Porosity
- <0.1% %
- Water absorption
- <=0.05 % by mass Quartz surface technical data (20 mm).
- Hardness
- 6.5-7.5 Mohs Engineered quartz data sheet (manufacturer).
- UV resistance
- Good - slight yellowing possible over 10+ years
- Chemical resistance
- Excellent for pH 2-12, vulnerable to HF acid
- pH tolerance
- pH 2-12
- Surface roughness
- 0.1-0.8 μm Ra µm
Mechanical ·7
- Tensile strength
- 8.5-16.5 MPa MPa
- Compressive strength
- 157-299 (dry); 203-274 (wet) MPa Quartz surface technical data (20 mm).
- Flexural strength
- >35-40 MPa Quartz surface technical data (20 mm).
- Shear strength
- 10-15 MPa MPa
- Poisson's ratio
- 0.15-0.25
- Impact resistance
- >4.9 J Quartz surface technical data (EN 14617-9).
- Creep resistance
- Excellent - minimal under sustained load
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
- Embodied carbon
- Data not available Product-specific EPD required.
- Carbon footprint
- Data not available Product-specific EPD required.
- Embodied energy
- Data not available Product-specific EPD required.
- Water footprint
- 15-25 L/kg L/kg // Production water use
- Recycled content
- Data not available Product-specific; verify with manufacturer.
- Renewable content
- 0% % // No renewable materials
- Circular score
- 1-2/10 // Poor due to non-recyclability
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
- Combustibility class
- Not classified to AS 1530.1 Available data are surface/reaction-to-fire tests (ASTM E84, AS 1530.3, EN 13501-1).
- Fire resistance level
- Not rated (surface tests only) Data provided as surface burning / reaction-to-fire classifications.
- Ignition temp
- ~550°C °C // Polyester resin ignition
- Flame spread index
- ASTM E84 Class A (FSI 0-25; SDI 0-450) Quartz surface technical data.
- Smoke dev. index
- Not rated - produces toxic smoke
- Heat release rate
- Not specified - combustible
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
- Material cost (range)
- $400-1350 AUD/m² // Pre-ban pricing
- Material cost (per unit)
- 12mm: $360-1150/m², 20mm: $400-1350/m², 30mm: $460-1700/m², 40mm: $500-1825/m²
- Lead time
- N/A - Product banned // Historical: 2-6 weeks
- Lifecycle cost
- $1100-2300 AUD/m² over 20 years
- Annual maintenance
- $10-20 AUD/m² // Cleaning supplies only
- Market availability
- BANNED - No longer available in Australia
Service life & durability ·3
- Expected lifespan
- 15-25 years residential, 10-20 years commercial
- Maintenance interval
- Daily cleaning, annual professional assessment
- Warranty period
- 10 years (Caesarstone/Quantum), 25 years (Silestone)
Layer D
Where it's used
Kitchen benchtops (residential) - BANNED
Bathroom vanities - BANNED
Commercial food service surfaces - BANNED
Laboratory benchtops - BANNED
Reception desks and counters - BANNED
Wall cladding (interior) - BANNED
Flooring (limited applications) - BANNED
Window sills - BANNED
Stair treads - BANNED
Splashbacks - BANNED