Tips & Tick (EN) – 3

Natural Quartz vs. Engineered Quartz

Natural Quartz consists of 100% pure quartz crystals. It is structurally dense and extremely hard, with a Mohs hardness rating of 7, making it one of the most durable natural minerals. Natural quartz is typically used in applications where scratch resistance is essential and is not altered in terms of color or pattern.
Engineered Quartz, on the other hand, also has a Mohs hardness of 7 due to its high quartz content (up to 93%). The remaining portion includes resins and other compounds used to create appealing colors and patterns. However, engineered quartz cannot be bent. Any attempt to bend it without special processing will lead to immediate cracking due to its rigidity. Bending can only be achieved through specialized processes that often involve reducing the quartz content and increasing the resin ratio, which compromises the original strength and properties of quartz.

Limitations and Conditions to Be Aware Of

While there are innovative methods to bend engineered quartz, these techniques come with significant limitations:

The bending radius is extremely limited, and successful results require the slab to be reduced to 2–4 mm thickness (standard slabs are typically 12 mm or 20 mm thick).
Thinner slabs are more prone to cracking, and the bending process carries a high risk of material failure.
These methods are technically complex, cost-intensive, and often not covered under warranty.
Another workaround involves segmenting the slab into small pieces and assembling them in a curved form. While this mimics a curved appearance, it lacks a seamless finish.

Because of these challenges, acrylic solid surface materials remain a far better alternative for projects that require true bendable surfaces with less risk and more flexibility.

Can Quartz Surfaces Really Be Bent?

Many people may have heard claims that quartz surfaces can now be bent into curves. In this article, we will explore the truth behind this statement and clarify what type of quartz material is actually involved.

What Is Quartz?

Quartz surfaces, commonly known as Engineered Quartz, are composed of approximately 90–93% natural quartz minerals blended with 7–10% polyester resin. This combination results in a strong, non-porous material that is highly resistant to moisture and heat—withstanding temperatures up to 180°C. These characteristics make quartz ideal for countertops, shelving, kitchen worktops, and a wide range of interior applications, with the added benefit of low maintenance.

Thermoforming: A Specialized Bending Process for Engineered Quartz

Some manufacturers have developed techniques that allow engineered quartz to be curved using a method called thermoforming (or thermal forming). This involves several technical steps:

Thinning the material: The quartz slab must be reduced in thickness (especially at the bend area) to around 4 mm using CNC machinery or diamond saws.
Heating: The slab is then heated to between 80–90°C, or even up to 150–160°C, depending on the type of resin used. This can be achieved using an oven, steam, or boiling water.
Shaping: The heated material is placed onto a mold or jig and bent into the desired curve.
Cooling: It is then allowed to cool and retain its new shape.

Conclusion: Can Engineered Quartz Be Bent?

In summary, standard engineered quartz surfaces commonly used in the market cannot be bent due to the inherent hardness of quartz minerals. While advanced methods exist, they compromise the key properties of the material. Ultimately, it is this hardness and durability that makes quartz highly valued—it resists heat up to 180°C, is easy to maintain, and is suitable for a wide range of interior applications. However, for curved installations, acrylic-based solid surfaces remain the more practical and reliable choice.