Final USITC Report on Chinese Quartz Imports June 2019 | Page 26

Curing and cooling
After compression, the slab is then baked at 90 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes. 37 The
baking process hardens the slab to form the solid quartz surface. Next, the slab is air cooled in a
storage area for 24 hours.
Polishing and inspection
After cooling, the slabs are measured, calibrated, and further worked to ensure they
meet the desired dimensions. Disk and milling drills sand-off excess material. The company’s
logo and other identifying information are then stamped onto the bottom of the slab. After the
slab is machine polished, the final product is examined for quality-control purposes. The final
inspection checks for condition, shine, tone, color, aspect, and size. After final inspection, the
finished slabs are either sent to a warehouse for storage or to a workshop to be cut to
customer specifications.
Fabrication process
The fabrication process transforms slabs of quartz surface products into products ready
for installation. According to respondents, there are at least 10,000 fabricators operating in the
United States. 38 Independent fabricators contend that, taken together, the independent
fabrication industry has substantial equipment, labor, and expertise. 39
37
Aggranite Quartz Countertops, "About," https://www.aggranitequartz.com/about (accessed May
15, 2019).
38
The estimated number of fabricators ranges between 10,000 and 15,000. Hearing transcript, p. 192
(Jorgensen) and p. 238 (Perry).
39
Hearing transcript, p. 183 (Hires).
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