Arch-152 Construction II

By: Nicholas Hoeppner

• Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust. There are many different varieties of quartz according to color, several of which are semi-precious gemstones. Quartz is used in the making of countertops, sandpaper, optics, glass, liquid filters, circuit boards, computer components, cement , mortar, clocks, and jewelry.

• With the many uses of quartz in the construction industry like furniture

surfaces, masonry, and electronics, it could be classified under many sections. Therefore I put quartz under its most common use, the master format CSI-3 Section 12 (3661.19) ECO Surfacing.

• Top manufacturers include: - Cambria (USA) for quartz countertops - S & S Optical Company for quartz glass making - Alibaba (Global Trade website) sells all quartz products • Quartz is the most common/generic word that describes the mineral. Yet it is

most likely found in a sedimentary rock called sandstone.

• The most common uses of quartz in architecture is for glass making or counter tops as finish furniture surfaces. It is also commonly used as an aggregate in concrete when exposing the concrete as an aesthetic aspect of the building. As a crystal, quartz has a strong use in technology improvements and electronics.

• For innovative material applications during the time of its discovery refer to this PDF page 2 table 2.1:

Physical Properties of Quartz

Chemical Composition SiO2

Crystal System Hexagonal

Color Quartz occurs in virtually every color.

Mohs Hardness 7

Streak Colorless (harder than the streak plate)

Luster Vitreous

Cleavage None

• Other properties of quartz : - Quartz is one of the most useful natural materials. Its usefulness can be linked to its physical and chemical properties. Its durable, resistant, has electrical properties and its luster/colors help make glass. - The high hardness of quartz, seven on the Mohs Scale, makes it harder than most other natural substances. As such it is an excellent abrasive material. - Quartz is very resistant to both chemicals and heat, therefore often used as a foundry sand. With a melting temperature higher than most metals it can be used for the molds and cores of common foundry work and refractory brick. Quartz sand is also used as a flux in the smelting of metals. -Quartz sand is used as a filler in the manufacture of rubber, paint and putty. Quartz sands are also used for traction which can be used in renovation of many sports fields (golf, baseball volleyball). - Electronics grade crystals can be used in many electronic devices and circuits such as clocks, computers, and navigational systems. Optical-grade crystals can be used as lenses and windows in lasers and other specialized devices.

Receptionist desk in a commercial building

Bar countertop made of quartz

Bar countertop made of quartz w/ lights shinning through

Quartz countertop at an elegant restaurant

• Quartz is a natural material that is found in the earths surface. It is one of the most abundant minerals because its highly resistant to both mechanical and chemical weathering. It forms at all temperatures and all types of rocks.

• You first must mine this mineral using explosives, bulldozers, etc. to expose the quartz and quartz crystals. Most imported quartz comes from Brazil but USA has the richest quartz mines in Arkansas in the Ouachita Mountains. After exposing the quartz you can harvest it by hand or it can be quarried.

• From there the quartz can be ground into pieces as fine as sand or as coarse as gravel. Depending on its size determines the use of the quartz. Both sizes can be used in the making of countertops with adding natural pigments and adhesives to form a slab and then creating patterns/designs within the slab. After getting the desired width and adding the finishing touches to make it shine and glisten as well as protect the surface, the countertop is ready for installation.

• Installation of the countertop is done after any necessary holes for sinks, faucets, and stove tops are cut into the slab to the customer's specifications. Then a certified installer delivers the resulting quartz countertop to the worksite and glues it on the counter cabinets. After installation of the faucets and other fixtures, the new engineered quartz countertop is ready for use.

• The fine grounded up quartz is more desirable in the making of glass and electronics. This quartz is heated at a very high temperature to allow it to be stretched, bent, and fused together with other minerals. Due to the transparency of the mineral, this allows long pieces of windows to be formed and cured. The electric properties of quartz help with in the many technologies of today and advances in the future.

• There are virtually no byproducts of either of theses process because it’s a natural material that can be used in many different applications if not used for its primary cause.

• The biggest cultural significance that quartz had was that it could be used in making gems. Quartz came in a variety of colors thus making it a desirable gem and due to its transparent nature, it made a beautiful jewelry piece. These jewelry pieces would be worn to signify power, wealth, and importance.

Quartz made glass used in "Waterography" art facade for the Charlotte Towers apartment

building

Quartz glass used on a high-rise in NYC

Circuit board using quartz made pieces

Beautifully designed quartz watch used for better accuracy

• The environmental impact of quartz is the process of mining to get the mineral, not the mineral itself. Mining causes destruction of landscape, agriculture, forest lands, causes soil erosion, contamination, and pollution (air & water). Also the abandoning of mines cause numerous problems after the process is done.

• Quartz as a manufactured product has a pretty long life expectancy due to its durability/hardness, resistance to chemicals, and high melting point. Quartz countertops, for example, last around 10-15 (+) years with minimal maintenance such as cleaning and using mats to avoid scratches. Same thing applies to quartz windows, if cleaned and avoid scratches, they should last numerous years. Quartz used in electronics lasts depending on the amount of use and how stressful it is being used. In most electronics it should last 10+ years which also depends on improvements in technology itself. Maintenance of any electronic includes care, protection and cleaning to insure that not broken parts will occur and no dust can add to that problem.

• Every quartz product except certain electronics can be recycled and reused due to it being a natural product. Glass of old buildings can be smelted down to make new glass. Old countertops can be grinded down back to natural form and remade into new slabs. Certain circuits and chips made of quartz can be salvaged from products and revamped to be used in new technologies.