Hi Switch - so why are so many companies making machines from UHPC? Granite is 70-89% quartz with some alumina so should be stiffer then 100% quartz (its red because of some iron in it ). The gain in stiffness by increasing the steel thickness for the same cost of the epoxy granite is a much better strategy then using the EG but you are now committed to your steel size. I buy plywood that is stiffer then 14GPa (F27 is 18.5GPa)... I agree about the rust I have samples here that have steel fibres with rust. The proof will be in the pudding, I'm sure your machine will be a good one... Peter