The Granite Processing Life Cycle

Granite is one of the most durable materials available in the world, and it has been used in construction for centuries. The most common igneous rock on Earth is granite, which converts a great deal of continental crust. It is not only used in the preparation of granite countertops and flooring, but also in the preparation of gym walls and curling balls.

Assortment and extraction of granite blocks

Extraction refers to the removal of stock blocks from a known geological deposit.

Granite blocks are extracted using different types of quarrying methods based on depth, density, and fracturing/bedding planes.

Getting access to the granite deposit and the process involves removing the layers of earth, flora, and rock from the deposit and storing them for use with heavy equipment later.

The granite is cut into pews, which measure 8 to 12 feet square going up to 20 feet or more.

During the quarrying process, activities such as drilling holes down the edges of the granite bench, cutting the stone with diamond-wire saws, and dividing the stone are included.

Using hydraulic cranes, the granite bench is removed from the deposit after it is detached from the main deposit.

After being shipped to another location, the bench is inspected for quality and size.

Handheld and machine-based inspections are conducted in order to determine whether the granite blocks are suitable for further processing. Prior to moving the blocks to the next step in treatment, the inspection specialist looks for discoloration, pits, cracks, spots, scratches, and other damage.

Granite cutting
The first step of granite processing is the cutting of granite blocks. This is accomplished mainly with diamond wire-saw machines. The heat produced during cutting is dissipated by a continuous stream of water.

Gangsaw
Following the wire-sawing of the block, matting becomes necessary to eliminate the possibility of cracking during the cutting procedure. According to the hardness of the stone, the blades are adjusted to obtain the required thickness.

Afterward, the granite block is moved into the gang-saw. In order to cut the block, the slurry is used as a means of dissipating heat.
Regular inspections and adjustments of both the machine and the granite block are made to ensure a straighter, finer cut of the granite blocks.
After the cutting process is completed, the slabs are examined for any defects, separated into inventories, and then moved on for the next stage of processing.

Cutter
Next, granite must be cut using a machine called a cutter. The granite stone can be cut using one blade to as many as ten blades.

Grinding
The granite slabs are ground after they have been cut. This entails smoothing the granite surfaces. which has undergone some degradation during the cutting process.
The process is carried out with a special grinding machine that has multiple heads. A surface finish is achieved by affixing them to diamond abrasives of various densities.

Application of epoxy
The slab surface is sprayed with epoxy resin to fill all the pits and fissures on the surface of the stone. The granite ages properly so that it lasts longer without losing its aesthetic appeal.

The polishing process
Polishing is done to remove excess resin from the granite’s surface and to smoothen its surface. Special silicon carbide abrasive is used with a polishing machine in this process. Abrasives are available in different types based upon the hardness and pressure of granite slabs.

A granite stone undergoes several processes before it can be applied in architecture or construction projects.
India has a large number of granite countertop exporters that provide a range of colours and finishes. It is exported to countries including the United States, Europe, Vietnam, and others.