Technical Information
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DURABILITY CLASSIFICATION
WATER ABSORPTION
SHADE VERIATION
TEST METHODS
ISO STANDARDS
NANO
ASTM C-1027 describes the standard test method for determining visible abrasion resistance of glazed ceramic tile. BTi classification for durability is based upon both the results of this test and practical experience. unglazed products are all Class IV+.
| Class 0 | Generally not recommended for use on floors |
| Class 1 | Light traffic, for residential bathroom floors |
| Class II | Medium-Light Traffic, residential interiors with the exceptions of kitchens, stairs, landings and areas near external entries. |
| Class III | Medium-Heavy Traffic, all residential applications. Commercial applications which are similar in traffic to residential applications. Specifically excepted are areas of prevalent circulation or turning points. |
| Class IV | Heavy Traffic, all residential and most commercial applications such as the public areas of exhibition halls, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, shops and schools. |
| Class IV+ | Extra Heavy Traffic, all residential and commercial applications similar to Class IV where extra durability may be required. |
• The density of tile is measured by the amount of water the tile absorbs. This absorption is based on how many pores remain in the fired tile.
•Tile used outdoors must be <3% absorption to be frost resistant.
•Porcelain tile must be <.5% absorption to be frost proof.
Shade Variation:
Brady Tiles advise :- Re: Polished Porcelain
As I am sure you are well aware shade variation is an inherent characteristic of all kiln-fired products. Polished porcelain is no exception and can also have variations in the polished surface from batch to batch.
ISO Standard 10545.1 – Sampling & Basis for Acceptance recommends some clear rules for your customer to confirm acceptance of the product before installation.
We strongly recommend that the end user be advised of potential variations and that they check the shade of the product supplied is acceptable before installation. This may also involve cleaning wax from several random pieces and viewing these in-situ prior to installation. A suggestion Check List for your customer will be available on our upcoming new mebpage
ALL samples and display tiles are only indicative.
We also recommend thorough cleaning and sealing of ALL polished porcelains.
V4 - Random Variation Ø Random color differences from tile to tile.
Ø Approximates natural stones, which have wide differences in color within the same lot.
Ø Makes for a truly unique installation.
V3 - Moderate Variation Ø The colors present on a single piece of tile will be indicative of the colors to be expected on the other tiles but the mix and amounts may vary significantly.
Ø Tiles have the same colors with texture variations
Ø Provides spontaneous shade variation within same color range that highlights texture variations.
V2 - Slight Variation Ø Clearly distinguishable differences in texture and/or pattern within similar colors
Ø The general appearance is consistent while the tile color, pattern and texture move within individual tiles.
V1 - Uniform Appearance Ø Least possible shade variation
Ø Provides a uniform appearance
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Coefficient of Friction
ASTM C-1028-89 is the standard test method for determining the static coefficient of friction of ceramic tile and other like surfaces by the dynamometer pull meter method. Static coefficient of friction is a term used in physics to describe the amount of force required to cause an object (shoe sole material) to start moving across a surface (flooring material). A higher coefficient indicates increased resistance of shoe sole material to start moving across a flooring material. The ASTM procedure states that “the measurement made by this apparatus is believed to be one important factor relative to slip resistance. Other factors can affect slip resistance, such as the degree of wear on the shoe and flooring material; presence of foreign material, such as water, oil and dirt; the length of the human stride at the time of slip; type of floor finish, and the physical and mental condition of humans. Therefore, this test method should be used for the purpose of developing a property of the flooring surface under laboratory conditions, and should not be used to determine slip resistance under field conditions unless those conditions are fully described.�
Please consult the ISO Standards and the ASTM Standard Test Method C-1028-89 for a more detailed explanation of coefficient of friction and test methods.
Note that the precision of this test as described in the ASTM procedure indicates that the coefficient values can be expected to vary as much as 0.3.
Since coefficient of friction is normally less than 1.0, test results will vary by more than 30%.
Also, the static coefficient of friction may vary within and between production runs because of the inherent characteristics of ceramic tile.
Although ANSI has not established a standard value for coefficient of friction, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has established a recognized industry of 0.5 (wet and dry) for slip-resistant surfaces. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) recommends but does not require “a Static Coefficient of Friction of 0.60 for accessible routes and 0.80 for ramps� ADA does not specifically state that 0.60 is both a dry and a wet requirement.
It is important to note that any tile or other hard surface flooring can become slippery when wet or improperly maintained.
The coefficient of friction of all hard surface flooring materials, including ceramic tile, can be adversely effected by inadequate or improper maintenance, such as the use of unsuitable cleaning materials or procedures.
Breaking Strength:
ASTM C-648 describes the standard test method for determining structural strength of ceramic tile. This test provides a means for establishing whether or not a lot of ceramic tile meets the strength requirements which may be required for a specific installation procedure and its ability to withstand load and impact. The ANSI standard requires an average breaking strength of 90 lbs. for wall tiles and 250 lbs. for floor tiles. Tiles installed on floors with adhesives may require higher breaking strengths.
Acid Resistance:
ASTM C650 is the standard test method for determining resistance of ceramic tile to chemical substances.
Typical exceptions are: fluorides and concentrated hydrochloric acid.
CURRENT ISO STANDARDS FOR CERAMIC TILES
ISO 10545-1:Ceramic tiles - Part 1: Sampling and basis for acceptance. (EN163)
ISO 10545-2:Ceramic tiles - Part 2: Determination of dimensions and surface quality. (EN98)
ISO 10545-3:Ceramic tiles - Part 3: Determination of water absorption, apparent porosity, (EN99)
apparent relative density and bulk density.
ISO 10545-4:Ceramic tiles - Part 4: Determination of modulus of rupture and breaking strength. (NEW)
ISO 10545-5:Ceramic tiles - Part 5: Determination of impact resistance by measurement of (NEW)
coefficient of restitution.
ISO 10545-6:Ceramic tiles - Part 6: Determination of resistance to deep abrasion for unglazed tiles. (EN102)
ISO 10545-7:Ceramic tiles - Part 7: Determination of resistance to surface abrasion for glazed tiles. (EN154)
ISO 10545-8:Ceramic tiles - Part 8: Determination of linear thermal expansion. (EN103)
ISO 10545-9:Ceramic tiles - Part 9: Determination of resistance to thermal shock. (EN104)
ISO 10545-10:Ceramic tiles - Part 10: Determination of moisture expansion. (EN155)
ISO 10545-11:Ceramic tiles - Part 11: Determination of crazing resistance for glazed tiles. (EN105)
ISO 10545-12:Ceramic tiles - Part 12: Determination of frost resistance. (EN202)
ISO 10545-13:Ceramic tiles - Part 13: Determination of chemical resistance. (EN106,122)
ISO 10545-14:Ceramic tiles - Part 14: Determination of resistance to stains. (EN106)
ISO 10545-15:Ceramic tiles - Part 15: Determination of lead and cadmium given off by glazed tiles. (NEW)
ISO 10545-16: Ceramic tiles - Part 16: Determination of small colour differences. (NEW)
ISO 10545-17: Ceramic tiles - Part 17: Determination of coefficient of friction. (NEW)
The new nanofinish treatment, based on the application of new nanotechnologies, used also in the automotive and mechanic industrial fields to make the surfaces porosity-free, is applied on the tile surface by some special production lines, also together with other process like cutting, rectifying, semi-polishing and polishing.
The industrial application of nanofinish sets the replenishment of all the superficial microporosity, reducing the penetration of particles and stain formation.
A substance made mainly by Titanium Dioxyde (TiO2) is applied to the tile at a temperature around 90 celsius. This particular substance is able to enter in the micro holes created on the top of the tile by the polishing process (holes that are creating absorption). When the temperature is coming down to ambient temperature, the substance is expanding itself fixing and closing the micro holes. On the top of the tile you don’t have any film or wax, but all the microholes have been closed.
Advantage of the treatment:
- it doesn’t change technical characteristics of the material
- it ensures the replenishment of superficial porosity
- it reduces particles penetration on the surface
- it resists much more to stain formation
- it’s stable and permanent