For those who are already familiar with or work with concrete artifacts, 3D wall coverings can represent a good opportunity to expand and diversify the portfolio, generate market differentiation and competitive advantage for the business.
However, for this, it is important to understand more about forms for 3D tile.
The aura of modernity, elegance and sophistication of this type of tile has increasingly conquered the market, generating an increase in demand that is very beneficial for those who supply this type of supply and provide these services.
And this is a service opportunity, both for individuals and companies, that needs to be considered to bring more profitability and facilitate the acquisition of new customers for companies that work with artifacts such as concrete and plaster.
It should be noted that, in addition to the aesthetic sales pitch, 3D tile It also has functionality appeals, which may be the solution to hide flaws in walls or make them more protected. It also helps to provide acoustic insulation, thermal comfort, as well as being quite durable.
So, if you are thinking of starting the manufacture of 3D wall coverings and taking advantage of this opportunity, then we will talk more about the types of forms for 3D cladding that are most used today. Follow up.
3D wall covering: learn more about this opportunity
Textured, touch-sensitive tiles are trending in interior and outdoor design. But unlike the 1970s versions, this generation of 3D wall cladding features larger, better-finished visual patterns that are more elegant, sculptural, and have a more artistic and refined touch.
Several companies are taking advantage of this trend to scale their business and improve their margins. In addition to manufacturing, many are adding as a differential the provision of the installation service of the tiles, since they are easy to install and are practically adapted to a variety of interior configurations.
It is possible to work with tiles made of the most diverse materials, including plaster, MDF, plastics, such as PVC, embossed metal, fiberglass, ceramics, and others. Os cementitious tiles are among the preferences, due to their cost-benefit, quality, strength and durability.
Most commonly used types of 3D tile forms
If you were interested in starting to work with this type of product, one of the most important preliminary questions is to find out more about the alternatives in forms for 3D tile.
Next, learn about the commonly used types that can be manufactured both for 3D cementitious tiles and for 3D tiles of plaster (3D plaster).
ABS form
In addition to the variability of visual patterns available for 3D tiles, there is also a wide variety of raw materials used to manufacture their forms - and one of the most used is ABS.
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is one of the most widely used thermoplastic polymers in numerous domestic, commercial, and industrial applications. The three individual components of ABS have unique characteristics, which contribute to the overall properties of the final material and the forms for 3D tile.
Acrylonitrile provides chemical and thermal resistance, butadiene improves its strength and toughness, and styrene is responsible for the shiny finish of products developed with ABS, such as forms for 3D tile. These attributes made it ideal for applications where durability, superior surface quality, and shine are priorities.
One of the most striking features of ABS is its thermoplastic property. ABS thermoplastics are polymers that soften above a certain temperature to become soft and flexible, and then solidify upon cooling.
Thermoplastics can be melted and remolded countless times without degradation of their mechanical properties, making them easier to work with. For all these reasons, ABS is currently one of the most popular materials in terms of temperature molding properties, using equipment from Vacuum forming.
PVC form
Another of the most used materials for 3D cladding forms is PVC. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is one of the most commonly used thermoplastic polymers in the world (alongside some more widely used plastics, such as PET and PP).
An important attribute about thermoplastics that should be highlighted again is that they can be heated to the melting point, cooled and reheated again, without significant degradation.
Instead of burning, thermoplastics such as polypropylene liquefy, which allows them to be easily injection-molded and later recycled. This makes them a highly sought after material for manufacturing forms for 3D wall cladding, especially since they are an economical option.
As a point of attention, we have the corrosive nature of PVC, which must be taken into account when evaluating it as an option for the forms of your company. That's because polyvinyl chloride can be injection molded like other plastics, but the inclusion of chlorine in the material complicates the process, as molten PVC can release a corrosive toxic gas.
Silicone form (silicone rubber)
Silicone rubber is an ideal material for making molds, including forms for 3D tile. As with liquid latex, silicone rubber produces a lightweight, flexible mold that provides a high level of detail. In addition, this material makes it possible to manufacture durable, chemical-resistant forms.
Another advantage is that, with this material, it is possible to make the forms quite quickly. The downside is the higher price of silicone rubber and the fact that it has no higher tear resistance.
Important products for working with 3D tile
In addition to choosing the types of forms for 3D tile that best align with your needs, it is also important to take other precautions so that your production is qualified and achieves customer satisfaction.
We can highlight, for example, the importance of using Moulding release in cementitious pieces. With this type of product, you will have a much easier demoulding process, since it creates a layer between the concrete and the form for tile, so as to prevent adhesion between them.
This will make your operation more productive, also increasing the conservation of the forms so that they can be used again, and contributing to increasing their useful life. In addition, the release agent may visibly increase the quality of the finish of the demolded 3D tile parts.
In addition to the release agent, another product that helps to bring differentials to the parts produced is the water-repellent silicone. This acts to protect the parts, hydrophobing the surface by preventing the passage of water right through the first layer.
Essa protection extra will not affect the characteristics of your tiles, since it does not alter the color or brightness of the pieces. It will also provide an additional differential for your client: it will make the routine of cleaning coated walls much easier, since it helps to prevent the accumulation of dirt.
In this way, by choosing the right 3D tile forms and using good products in your processes, such as mold remover and water-repellent silicone, you can manufacture 3D tiles with unique characteristics, which generate true market differentials.
Blok is a reference in these products. Find out more about how they can contribute to the success of your operation and your business by accessing our solutions catalog.
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