*2.3. Engineered Stone Plate Development*

The ENS plates, with 100 × 100 × 10 mm size dimensions, were produced by the vacuum, vibration, and compression method. The raw materials were dried in an oven for 24 h at 100 ◦C, weighed in the appropriate proportions, and mixed with both the epoxy resin and hardener. The mixture was placed in a mold connected to a vacuum system (600 mmHg), which was on a vibrating table for 2 min. The mold, still under vacuum, was positioned in a hydraulic press, where it was compressed for 20 min under 90 ◦C heating. The ENS plates were cooled to room temperature and removed from the mold. The plates were sanded and then cut with a diamond disc in dimensions required by the standards to perform the physical, chemical, and mechanical tests. The epoxy contents in the ENS were 15%wt (ENS-15) and 20%wt (ENS-20).
